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Kathryn M. Scanlon

Publications and source records attributed to Kathryn M. Scanlon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1993

Magnetic anomaly map of the central Cayman Trough, northwestern Caribbean Sea

This is the first large-scale published map of magnetic anomalies in the central Cayman Trough area. Two previously published very small scale maps based on much less data are a regional map (Gough and Heirtzler, 1969) and a map compiled from several tracklines running parallel to the axis of the Cayman Trough (MacDonald and Holcombe, 1978).

Miscellaneous Field Studies Map↗
USGS1992

Fe-Mn nodule field indicated by GLORIA, north of the Puerto Rico Trench

A 2,500-km 2 area of sea floor on the south-eastern flank of the Greater Antilles Outer Ridge north of the Puerto Rico Trench displays anomalously high acoustic backscattering properties on GLORIA longrange sidescan-sonar data. Previously collected dredges, bottom photographs, and sediment cores indicate the presence of Fe-Mn nodules within the area of high backscatter. We were able to map the extent of the inferred nodule field on the basis of acoustic property contrast between the nodule-covered sediment and the surrounding nodule-free sediment. ?? 1992 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

Geo-Marine Letters↗
USGS1992

Accretionary margin of north-western Hispaniola: morphology, structure and development of part of the northern Caribbean plate boundary

Broad-range side-scan sonar (GLORIA) images and single- and multi-channel seismic reflection profiles demonstrate that the margin of north-western Hispaniola has experienced compression as a consequence of oblique North American-Caribbean plate convergence. Two principal morphological or structural types of accretionary wedges are observed along this margin. The first type is characterized by a gently sloping (≈4°) sea floor and generally margin-parallel linear sets of sea-floor ridges that gradually deepen towards the flat Hispaniola Basin floor to the north. The ridges are caused by an internal structure consisting of broad anticlines bounded by thrust faults that dip southwards beneath Hispaniola. Anticlines form at the base of the slope and are eventually sheared and underthrust beneath the slope. In contrast, the second type of accretionary wedge exhibits a steeper (≈6–16°) sea-floor slope characterized by local slumping and a more abrupt morphological transition to the adjacent basin. The internal structure appears chaotic on seismic reflection profiles and probably consists of tight folds and closely spaced faults. We suggest that changes in sea-floor declivity and internal structure may result from variations in the dip or frictional resistance of the décollement, or possibly from changes in the cohesive strength of the wedge sediments. The observed pattern of thickening of Hispaniola Basin turbidites towards the insular margin suggests differential southwards tilting of the Hispaniola Basin strata, probably in response to North America-Caribbean plate interactions since the Early Tertiary. Based upon indirect age control from adjacent parts of the northern caribbean plate boundary, we infer a Late Eocene to Early Miocene episode of transcurrent motion (i.e. little or no tilting), an Early Miocene to Late Pliocene period of oblique convergence (i.e. increased tilt) during which the accretionary wedge began to be constructed, and a Late Pliocene to Recent episode of increased convergence (i.e. twice the Miocene to Pliocene tilt), which has led to rapid uplift and erosion of sediment sources on the margin and on Hispaniola, generating a submarine fan at the base of the insular slope.

Marine and Petroleum Geology↗
USGS1991

A giant submarine slope failure on the northern insular slope of Puerto Rico

A large amphitheater-shaped scarp, approximately 55 km across, was imaged on the northern insular slope of Puerto Rico using long-range sidescan sonar and bathymetric data. This scarp results from the removal of more than 1500 km 3 of Tertiary strata. A review of seismic-reflection profiles, stratigraphic data, and subsidence models of the northern insular margin of Puerto Rico were used to infer that large-scale slope failure was induced by the tectonic oversteepening of the insular slope and was responsible for the formation of the scarp. The oversteepening probably was caused by the most recent episode of convergence of the Caribbean and North American plates, which began between approximately 4 and 2.5 m.y. ago. The Tertiary strata have been tilted approximately 4.5° to the north in the last 4 m.y.

Marine Geology↗
USGS1991

The neotectonic setting of Puerto Rico

The island of Puerto Rico, in the northeast Caribbean, lies within a broad deformation zone between the Caribbean and North American plates. The simplest model for the tectonic setting of Puerto Rico has major strike-slip movement on nearly east-west lines in the vicinity of the Puerto Rico Trench coupled to a small counterclockwise rotation of a Puerto Rico block within the broader plate boundary zone. This simple model is attractive because it predicts the tectonic regime south of Puerto Rico, and provides an explanation for a possible component of extension across the Puerto Rico Trench west of 65.5°W. GLORIA long-range sidescan sonar data and seismic reflection profiles have been used to test this model by mapping the major tectonic features across the plate boundary north and south of Puerto Rico. To the north, the new data help to resolve between conflicting models, of underthrusting or strike-slip motion at the Puerto Rico Trench. No direct evidence of compression is seen, although evidence for normal and strike-slip movement is abundant. This, combined with regional considerations, leads us to conclude that the main east-west-trending part of the Puerto Rico Trench between 65.5°W and 68°W lies within a strike-slip regime, although oblique convergence occurs both to the east and west where the plate boundary trends east-southeast. To the south of Puerto Rico, underthrusting of the Caribbean plate beneath the island decreases from west to east, and it is ultimately replaced by extension in the Virgin Islands Basin east of 65°W.

Puerto Rico↗
USGS1990

Geological interpretation of combined Seabeam, Gloria and seismic data from Anegada Passage (Virgin Islands, north Caribbean)

The Anegada Passage (sensu lato) includes several basins and ridges from Southeast of Puerto Rico to the corner of the Virgin Islands Platform. Seabeam (Seacarib I) and Gloria long-range sidescan sonar surveys were carried out in this area. These new data allow us to propose an interpretation of the Anegada Passage. Most of the features described are related to wrench faulting: (a) St Croix and Virgin Islands Basins are pull-apart basins created in a right-lateral strike-slip environment based on their rhomboidal shape and seismic data (e.g. the flower structure). These two pull-aparts are divided into two sub-basins by a curvilinear normal fault in the Virgin Islands Basin and a right-lateral strike-slip fault in the St Croix Basin. (b) Tortola Ridge and a 'dog's leg' shaped structure are inferred to be restraining bends between two right-lateral strike-slip faults. (c) We identified two ENE-WSW volcanic lineaments in the eastern area and one volcano lying between Virgin Islands and St Croix Basins. (d) As shown by the seismic activity main wrench motion occurs along the north slope of Virgin Islands Basin and through Anegada Passage. A branching of this main fault transmits the transtensional motion to St Croix Basin. A two-stage story is proposed for the creation of the basins. A first extensional event during Eocene(?)-Oligocene-lower Miocene time created Virgin Islands, St Croix Basins and the tilted blocks of St Croix Ridge. A second transtensional event from Pliocene to Recent gave the present day pattern to this area. However, the displacement along the strike-slip faults is no more than 15 km long. The proposed geodynamic model is based on the separation of the northeastern Caribbean boundary into two blocks. In the West, the indenter of Beata Ridge gives a northeastern motion to Hispaniola Block. In the East, as a result of Hispaniola Block's motion, the Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands Block could escape in an east-northeast direction.

Anegada Passage↗
USGS1989

Pockmarks in the floor of Penobscot Bay, Maine

Hundreds of depressions (pockmarks) were found within a 40 square kilometer area of the sea floor near the head of Penobscot Bay, Maine. These roughly circular depressions range in diameter from 10 to 300 meters and extend as much as 30 meters below the surrounding sea floor. The pockmarks have formed in marine mud of Holocene age, which unconformably overlies glaciomarine deposits. The presence of shallow interstitial gas in the mud suggests that the pockmarks are related to the excipe of gas from the sediments, although other factors must be involved. ?? 1989 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

Geo-Marine Letters↗
USGS1987

Single-channel seismic-reflection profiles collected aboard R/V POWELL, cruises P-2-85, P-3-85, P-4-85 in the nearshore waters around Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Approximately 4,600 nmi (8,519 km) of single-channel seismic-reflection data were collected in the nearshore waters around Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands simultaneously, but on a noninterference basis, with a gravity program funded by the Defense Mapping Agency. The survey was conducted on cruises P-2-85, P-3-85, and P-4-85 of the R/V POWELL between February 28 and April 8, 1985. Seismic instrumentation included two 40 in 3 (755 cm 3 ) airguns and a 200-ft (60-m) single-channel hydrophone streamer. In addition, a Uniboom sled and 8-ft (2.4-m) single-channel hydrophone streamer were used in water depths less than 660 ft (200 m). Navigation control was provided by a Magnavox Integrated Navigation System which integrates data from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, transit satellites, bottom-track sonar, Loran-C, Mini-Ranger stations, gyrocompass and speed log. GPS provided the most accurate navigational control, but was functional for only about 12 hours each day. The transit satellite system operated throughout the cruise and provided relatively accurate positions when GPS was not operational. The Mini-Ranger stations proved to be unreliable because of problems at the shore stations and Loran-C operated only on the north side of the islands, at times in only the range-range mode. Because the gravity program required accurate data and strict navigation control, some lines had to be run more than once or run with a following sea in a westerly direction only. Consequently, there is tight line spacing in some areas. The Uniboom high-resolution reflection data are good to poor in the shelf areas around Puerto Rico but are generally poor over the predominantly carbonate sediments around the Virgin Islands. The airgun data are fair to good, particularly considering the ship cruised at about 7 kn (13.0 km/hr) and at times reached 8 kn (14.8 km/hr) which is about the upper limit at which the system will function. Original seismic profile records can be seen at the U.S. Geological Survey offices, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Microfilm copies of the seismic profile records and trackchart can be purchased only from the National Geophysical Data Center, Code E64, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303 (303/497-6345).

Open-File Report↗
USGS1987

Geology of the Caribbean

The Venezuelan and Colombian basins are located on the Caribbean Plate whilst the Yucatan basin is on the North American Plate. The processes occurring at the boundaries between the Caribbean Plate and the adjacent North American, South American and Cocos Plates, and the resulting surface features and patterns of volcanic and earthquake activity are described. Most of the Caribbean area is floored by atypical oceanic crust and its most valuable main geologic resources identified so far are petroleum, together with sand and gravel. Geological research is being carried out with techniques for broad-range swath imaging of the seafloor, such as GLORIA, and for directly measuring the movement between plates. -J.G.Harvey

Oceanus↗