Fault related folding near the Wind River thrust, Wyoming, USA

Abstract

Reflection profiles across the Wind River uplift in Wyoming, USA, show that folding of basement rocks occurs in the footwall of the main fault at depths between 6 and 10km. It is shown, using elastic modelling, that these features are a consequence of uneven fault slippage. Slip on the fault must be greater at depths between 3 and 18 km, but reduced outside this range. This is the depth range of catastrophic rupture associated with earthquakes in the continental crust.