Basin Analysis Aided by Remote-Sensing Data: Geologic Results in Wind River/Bighorn Basin Area, Wyoming: ABSTRACT

Abstract

Aircraft and satellite remote-sensing data combined with surface and subsurface geologic and geophysical data have been used to investigate the formation and evolution of Laramide foreland basins in central Wyoming. Quaternary through Holocene geomorphology reveals post-Laramide basin excavation history. Six terrace/pediment surfaces have been recognized in the northern Wind River basin and have been correlated with equivalent surfaces in the Bull Lake and central Wind River basin areas, respectively. Permian through Eocene stratigraphic relationships distinguish late pre-Laramide through Laramide paleogeography. New type sections established in the eastern wind River basin/northern Casper arch area refine lithostratigraphic correlations with: (1) surface sections measured in the southern Bighorn basin and (2) subsurface sections on the southern Casper arch. Structural mapping in the southern Bighorn basin indicates predominantly compressional Laramide deformation. Numerous northeastward-dipping thrust faults that do not appear on published geologic maps have been recognized at the surface and have been confirmed with seismic data. Similar strategies of data acquisition and geologic analysis developed should be applicable in studies of similar foreland basins.