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A Preliminary Investigation of The Structure of Southern Yucca Flat, Massachusetts Mountain, and CP Basin, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Based on Geophysical Modeling

Open-File Report 2005-1367
Prepared in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nevada Site Office, Office of Environmental Management, under Interagency Agreement DE-AI52-01NV13944 Identification and /or Statement of Cooperation
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051367

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Abstract

New gravity and magnetic data collected in the vicinity of Massachusetts Mountain and CP basin (Nevada Test Site, NV) provides a more complex view of the structural relationships present in the vicinity of CP basin than previous geologic models, helps define the position and extent of structures in southern Yucca Flat and CP basin, and better constrains the configuration of the basement structure separating CP basin and Frenchman Flat. The density and gravity modeling indicates that CP basin is a shallow, oval-shaped basin which trends north-northeast and contains ~800 m of basin-filling rocks and sediment at its deepest point in the northeast. CP basin is separated from the deeper Frenchman Flat basin by a subsurface ridge that may represent a Tertiary erosion surface at the top of the Paleozoic strata. The magnetic modeling indicates that the Cane Spring fault appears to merge with faults in northwest Massachusetts Mountain, rather than cut through to Yucca Flat basin and that the basin is downed-dropped relative to Massachusetts Mountain. The magnetic modeling indicates volcanic units within Yucca Flat basin are down-dropped on the west and supports the interpretations of Phelps and KcKee (1999). The magnetic data indicate that the only faults that appear to be through-going from Yucca Flat into either Frenchman Flat or CP basin are the faults that bound the CP hogback. In general, the north-trending faults present along the length of Yucca Flat bend, merge, and disappear before reaching CP hogback and Massachusetts Mountain or French Peak.

Suggested Citation

Phelps, G., Justet, L., Moring, B.C., Roberts, C.W., 2006, A Preliminary Investigation of The Structure of Southern Yucca Flat, Massachusetts Mountain, and CP Basin, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Based on Geophysical Modeling (Version 1.1, Revised Mar 2008): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1367, 36 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051367.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title A Preliminary Investigation of The Structure of Southern Yucca Flat, Massachusetts Mountain, and CP Basin, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Based on Geophysical Modeling
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2005-1367
DOI 10.3133/ofr20051367
Edition Version 1.1, Revised Mar 2008
Year Published 2006
Language ENGLISH
Publisher Geological Survey (U.S.)
Contributing office(s) Geophysics Unit of Menlo Park, CA (GUMP)
Description 36 p.
Additional publication details