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Preliminary potential-field constraints on the geometry of the San Fernando basin, Southern California

Open-File Report 2000-219
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr00219

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Abstract

Gravity and magnetic data provide new insights on the structural underpinnings of the San Fernando Basin region, which may be important to ground motion models. Gravity data indicate that a deep basin (>5 km) underlies the northern part of the San Fernando Valley; this deep basin is required to explain the lowest gravity values over the Mission Hills thrust fault. Gravity modeling, constrained by well data and density information, shows that the basin may reach a thickness of 8 km, coinciding with the upper termination of the 1994 Northridge earthquake mainshock rupture. The basin is deeper than previous estimates by 2 to 4 km; this estimate is the result of high densities for the gravels of the Pliocene-Pleisocene Saugus Formation. The geometry of the southern margin of the deep basin is not well-constrained by the gravity data, but may dip to the south. Recently acquired seismic data along the LARSE (Los Angeles Regional Seismic Experiment) II profile may provide constraints to determine the location and attitude of the basin edge. Gravity and aeromagnetic models across the eastern margin of the San Fernando Valley indicate that the Verdugo fault may dip to the southwest along its southern extent and therefore have a normal fault geometry whereas it clearly has a thrust fault geometry along its northern strand.

Suggested Citation

Langenheim, V., Griscom, A., Jachens, R., and Hildenbrand, T., 2000, Preliminary potential-field constraints on the geometry of the San Fernando basin, Southern California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2000-219, 36 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr00219.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Geologic Setting
  • Gravity, Aeromagnetic, and Physical Property Data
  • Discussion of Potential-Field Anomalies and Modeling Results
  • Discussion and Conclusions
  • Acknowledments
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Preliminary potential-field constraints on the geometry of the San Fernando basin, Southern California
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2000-219
DOI 10.3133/ofr00219
Year Published 2000
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Description 36 p.
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial San Fernando Basin
Additional publication details