Seismic studies of the crust under the Williston Basin

Abstract

The seismic refraction method was used in 1981 to study the crust under the northern half of the Williston Basin, in Saskatchewan. A new method of spatial seismic recording, based on a triangular arrangement of receivers, was used for the first time to obtain three-dimensional structure and velocity information. The broadside seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection data obtained by the technique were of particular value in defining several faulted blocks. These blocks are also characterized by aeromagnetic anomalies trending in a northerly direction. The crustal thickness in the southern part of the western provinces shows large variation ranging from 35 to 50 km. Much of the area is also notable for the presence of one or more low-velocity layers and a high-velocity lower crust. There is good evidence for significant lateral heterogeneity, and detailed deep seismic reflection and refraction studies would likely yield information on dips and strikes of beds and faults around the basin as well as define the properties of the various terranes of the Hudsonian mobile belt.