Quaternary tectonic faulting in the Eastern United States
Introduction
Paleoseismological study of the Quaternary geologic record of large, prehistoric earthquakes can contribute to the assessment of seismic hazards. In most parts of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, the historical record of earthquakes is shorter than the likely recurrence intervals of large earthquakes. In these areas, earthquakes larger than those observed historically are possible (Wheeler and Frankel, 2000) and hazard assessments can be uncertain if the locations and frequencies of large earthquakes are poorly known or unknown. Thus, the findings of paleoseismology can make hazard assessments both more accurate and more precise, thereby reducing the likelihood of underprotection as well as the chance of unnecessary design and construction costs.
Existing geological reports of Quaternary faulting, folding, liquefaction fields, and related deformational features can aid in the identification of targets for future paleoseismological study. Accordingly, Crone and Wheeler (2000) compiled and evaluated published observations and suggestions of Quaternary tectonic faulting in the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS: east of the Rocky Mountains). The CEUS results are now part of a searchable national database of active faulting (http://qfaults.cr.usgs.gov/). Wheeler and Crone (2001) summarized selected information about 40 midcontinent features between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains, and assessed the features to identify the most promising targets for paleoseismological study. This report does the same for 31 Eastern U.S. (EUS) features in the Appalachian Mountains and Coastal Plain (Fig. 1).
Section snippets
Methods
I used the methods of Wheeler and Crone (2001) and refer readers there for details that amplify the summary in this section. The small to moderate earthquakes that make up most of the four-century-long EUS historical seismicity record rarely produce surface deformation or evidence of strong ground motion that is currently recognizable in the geologic record. In contrast, earthquakes of magnitudes 5–6 and larger can produce liquefaction features or surface offsets that are recognizable with
Tectonic features
Within the study area, paleoseismological searches and study of liquefaction features have identified the results of Quaternary tectonic faulting at three locales (Table 1, Fig. 3). Liquefaction features near Newbury, Massachusetts, and in the Central Virginia Seismic Zone are much fewer and smaller than those in the large liquefaction field that centers on Charleston, South Carolina. None of these liquefaction features have been clearly linked to individual faults. Although geochronological
Features having little or no published geologic evidence of Quaternary tectonic faulting
Quaternary tectonic faulting has been suggested or suspected for fourteen EUS features in the Appalachians, Coastal Plain, and offshore (Table 1, Fig. 4). In each case, a critical examination of the literature provides weak or no support for such a suggestion or suspicion. The true origin of the feature remains uncertain. In general, it is difficult to demonstrate the absence of Quaternary tectonic faulting or paleoliquefaction at a locale. Thus, additional study might eventually show some of
Features for which field investigations found no geologic evidence of Quaternary tectonic faulting
In addition to the features described in Section 4, three others have also been suggested or suspected of having had Quaternary tectonic faulting (Table 1, Fig. 4). In each case, paleoseismological fieldwork and other studies found no clear geological evidence of prehistoric earthquakes larger than the small or moderate shocks known historically.
Features in need of further study
The remaining seven features resemble those of 4 Features having little or no published geologic evidence of Quaternary tectonic faulting, 5 Features for which field investigations found no geologic evidence of Quaternary tectonic faulting in lacking geologic evidence of Quaternary tectonic faulting (Fig. 5). However, these seven features deserve additional study because all are located in or near the densely populated Boston–Washington urban corridor (Fig. 2). Specifically, none of the seven
Conclusions
The only clear evidence of Quaternary tectonic faulting in the Appalachian Mountains or Coastal Plain is instrumental and historical seismicity and prehistoric earthquake-induced liquefaction features, specifically sand blows and dikes. No causative faults have been identified beyond doubt for any of these phenomena.
The 1886 Charleston, South Carolina, 1727 Newburyport, Massachusetts, and 1875 central Virginia earthquakes, combined with prehistoric liquefaction features, suggest persistent
Acknowledgements
Numerous discussions over the last decade with A.J. Crone, K.M. Haller, and M.N. Machette aided the collection and evaluation of information that is summarized here. Scores of unnamed specialists provided informal critiques of drafts of parts of Crone and Wheeler (2000). In addition, this manuscript has benefitted from countless discussions over the last quarter century with past and present members of the U.S. Geological Survey's national seismic-hazard mapping project. The manuscript was
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