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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The Rate And Timing Of Direct Mountain Front Recharge In An Arid Environment, Silver Island Mountains, Utah, Gregory T. Carling
The Rate And Timing Of Direct Mountain Front Recharge In An Arid Environment, Silver Island Mountains, Utah, Gregory T. Carling
Theses and Dissertations
Direct mountain front recharge (MFR), water table recharge at the base of the mountain front, was evaluated on the arid (<250 mm/yr precipitation) Silver Island Mountains by comparing mountain precipitation to groundwater response. Direct MFR contributions were assessed on two catchments, one bedrock (i.e., mountain block) dominated and the other alluvial fan (i.e., mountain front) dominated. Catchment precipitation and shallow groundwater levels at each catchment outlet were measured for a 24 month period beginning October 2005. This time period captured one complete hydrologic cycle (December 2005-February 2007) for which annual and seasonal direct MFR rates were calculated. Annual direct MFR was calculated using a modified version of the water table fluctuation (WTF) method as 0.015-0.016% of precipitation on both catchments, with seasonal variations of 0% in summer up to 0.023% in winter, spring and fall. Seasonal direct MFR contributions are similar on the bedrock and the alluvial fan dominated catchments, with a notable exception during fall 2006 when direct MFR was twice as effective on the bedrock dominated system than on the alluvial fan dominated system (0.022% and 0.011% of precipitation, respectively). Darcy's law calculations show similarly low annual direct MFR contributions (0.013-0.032% of precipitation) as those calculated by the WTF method. Calculated direct MFR is 10% or less than typical calculated combined MFR (near surface recharge and deep underflow from the mountain block) for similar terrains and climates, and is only 3.5% of the combined MFR for the Silver Island Mountains as calculated by the Maxey-Eakin model. However, based on total recharge to the adjacent playa, it is apparent that the Maxey-Eakin model overestimates combined MFR, and the small calculated direct MFR is at least 50% of combined MFR. Despite some uncertainty in the numerical results, several patterns are evident in the data. The data show that direct MFR occurs in response to small rainfall events throughout much of the year, and that snowmelt is not necessary to produce direct MFR. The data also show that direct MFR responds more quickly and flushes through the system faster on the alluvial fan catchment than on the bedrock catchment.
Remote Sensing And Gis Analysis Of Spatial Distribution Of Fracture Patterns In The Makran Accretionary Prism, Southeast Iran, Shankar Babu Pokharel
Remote Sensing And Gis Analysis Of Spatial Distribution Of Fracture Patterns In The Makran Accretionary Prism, Southeast Iran, Shankar Babu Pokharel
Geosciences Theses
This study shows that remote sensing and GIS are powerful tools in identifying geologically induced lineaments from digitally enhanced ETM+ satellite imageries and the digital elevation model (DEM) in remote areas such as the Makran accretionary prism, southeast Iran. The presence of the conjugate shear fractures in the eastern part, along with the extensional, and the presence of reidal sets associated with the subsidiary fractures of the Minab-Zendal fault system in the western part, suggests that the structural pattern changes from pure shear to simple shear from east to the west across the prism. Moreover, the gradual increase in the …
Kinematic And Tectonic Significance Of The Fold- And Fault- Related Fracture Systems In The Zagros Mountains, Southern Iran, Katayoun Mobasher
Kinematic And Tectonic Significance Of The Fold- And Fault- Related Fracture Systems In The Zagros Mountains, Southern Iran, Katayoun Mobasher
Geosciences Dissertations
Enhancement methods applied on various satellite images (ASTER, ETM and RADAR SAT-1) facilitated the identification and mapping of tectonic fractures in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt in southwest Iran. The results of the fracture analysis on these enhanced images reveal four principal fracture sets within each fold structure: (i) an axial set defined by normal faults oriented parallel to the fold axial trace, (ii) a cross-axial, extensional fracture set oriented perpendicular to the fold axial trace, (iii) and two sets of intersecting shear fractures, oriented at an acute angle to the cross-axial set. Study of the enhanced images also revealed five …
Pre-Historic Landslides On The Southeast Flank Of The Uinta Mountains, Utah: Character And Causes Of Slope Failure, Todd D. Bradfield
Pre-Historic Landslides On The Southeast Flank Of The Uinta Mountains, Utah: Character And Causes Of Slope Failure, Todd D. Bradfield
Theses and Dissertations
More than 100 landslides have been mapped along the southeast flank of the Uinta Mountains. Large landslide deposits are up to 4.6 kilometers long and have an area of approximately 5-9 km². Landslide types include multiple and successive rock slumps, debris slumps and debris flows. Most landslides have a main head scarp in the Bishop Conglomerate and the large landslides have many minor scarps. Multiple slump blocks are manifest by repeated transverse ridges and trenches in the head area of some landslides. Most body and toe areas are deeply incised by gully erosion (up to 91 meters deep) and drainages …