Link to U.S. Geological Survey home page.

Faults in Parts of North-Central and Western
Houston Metropolitan Area, Texas

By Earl R. Verbeek, Karl W. Ratzlaff, and Uel S. Clanton

U.S. Geological Survey
Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 1136


Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Mapping Technique and Limitations

Techniques in Developed Areas

Techniques in Undeveloped Areas

Limitations of Maps

Discussion of Faults in Houston Area

Environmental Aspects of Faulting

Rates of Fault Displacement in the Houston Metropolitan Area

Relation Between Subsurface Faults and Scarps at Land Surface

History of Fau1ts in the Houston Area and Causes of Current Fault Movement

Glossary of Terms

References Cited

Figures

1. Map of faults in southeast Houston metropolitan area
2. Map of Houston and vicinity, showing areas covered by published 1:24,000-scale fault maps
3. Map of Pecore East and eastern portion of Pecore West faults
4.

Diagram showing effect of fault movement on a rigid structure built on an active fault.
A, original construction;
B, structure damaged by fault movement

5. Topographic profiles across a hypothetical fault in the Houston area.
A, shortly after displacement of the land surface
B, the same fault scarp modified by erosion
C, fault scarp after grading for construction or after preparation of a field for rice cultivation
6.

Oblique aerial photograph (NASA photo S-78-26931) of western part of Clodine fault, looking southwest toward Figure Four Lake (map 1)

7. Map of faults in northern and western Houston metropolitan area
8. Vertical section through a hypothetical fault in the Houston are

Plate

Side 1. Map of the Clodine fault and Renn scarp, Houston metropolitan area, Texas
zipped jpeg (135 KB) (15.5 in. X 8.75 in.) htm version
Side 2. zipped jpeg (963 KB) (42 in. X 15.5 in) htm version

 

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