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Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

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At least 991 records · Page 55Linked to original sources
USGS1978

Results and interpretation of geophysical studies near the Picacho Fault, south-central Arizona

Earth fissuring attributed to ground-water withdrawal occurs throughout south-central Arizona. A large zone of active fissures is located near Picacho, Arizona on the eastern rim of a large subsidence bowl. The main fissure has been named the Picacho fault. During February and March 1977, approximately 6.5 km of seismic-refraction lines were run across the Picacho fault to investigate subsurface conditions down to the crystalline basement. In addition, two lines of close-spaced gravity stations were made across the fault. The gross geologic features inferred from the gravity data agree with the seismic interpretations. Six layers were interpreted from the seismic refraction data: three layers of unconsolidated alluvium, two of denser rock of varying porosity, and the basement rock. Three significant basement faults were identified. These faults appear to lie almost directly beneath the surface fissures. Abrupt slope changes in the alluvial layers and an abrupt velocity change in the denser compacted sediments seem to be related spatially to the surface fissures. In addition there are lateral velocity differences within the basement fault blocks. In the overlying sediments a facies change in a 3.0 km/sec layer is suggested by the abrupt lateral velocity increase from 3.0 km/sec to 3.7 km/sec. This apparent facies change may in fact represent a fault plane extending upwards from the westernmost basement fault. This fault plane may even extend farther into the unconsolidated overlying sediments, inferred from basinward increases in slope, subtle basinward decreases in velocity, and a basinward elevation decrease in the top of the zone of saturation.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1978

A table of photopeaks useful in nuclear geophysics

The table lists full-energy, single-escape, and double-escape photopeak energies corresponding to about 1800 x- and gamma rays derived from natural radioactivity, X-ray fluorescence, neutron reactions, and induced radioactivity. Photon lines have been selected on the basis of their importance in borehole logging by nuclear methods. The mode of production of each photopeak and the half lives of natural and artificial radionuclides are given, but intensity information is omitted.

Open-File Report↗