Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Arizona Fissures: Unique And Possibly Dangerous?, Georgia Miller

A with Honors Projects

Fissures are cracks in the earth that form from stretching and pull-apart of geologic materials near earth’s surface. They generally form in areas that experience frequent earthquake and volcanic activity; areas with active tectonics. Recently discovered fissures in Arizona are different, as they form from pumping of subsurface gas and water resources. In the UK, similar but also slightly different processes are happening. In this region, instability causes more rapid and more frequent fissure formation due to more active tectonic processes. Therefore, fissures in the UK are a more common occurrence than those in Arizona. Fissures in both locations are …