Gravity and Magnetic Data in the Vicinity of Virgin Valley, Southern Nevada

Isostatic gravity map of Virgin Valley (from figure 2)

Gravity and magnetic data were collected in the vicinity of Virgin Valley to help better characterize the buried sedimentary Mesquite and Mormon basins. Detailed gravity measurements were made over the buried saddle between the Mesquite and Mormon basins, discovered by earlier gravity studies, in order to calculate the depth to pre-Cenozoic basement. The purpose of this study was to provide estimates of sedimentary fill in this area prior to drilling a water well on Mormon Mesa. The calculated depth-to-basement results in an estimate of about 1.5 km of alluvial fill in this area. Additional gravity data were collected to help better define the shape and magnitude of the anomaly associated with the Mesquite Basin. Testing of an experimental towed magnetometer was also carried out, which showed very good correlation with an existing aeromagnetic survey.