Structure and Oil Possibilities of the West Flank of the Denver Basin: ABSTRACT

Abstract

A seismic survey was conducted by members of the geology and geophysical departments of the Colorado School of Mines in the summer of 1951 along the west flank of the Denver basin. Its purpose was to determine the subsurface structure and relate it to surface features. Most of the work was correlation reflection shooting with some refraction work near the mountain front. A number of pertinent structural data were obtained. The Golden fault, a major reverse fault cutting across the steep west flank of the basin is a low angle overthrust, and not a high angle upthrust as commonly believed. The diagonal and en echelon plunging folds common along the mountain front north of Denver are present in the underthrust block of the fault. At least two lines of folding exist parallele to the axis of the Front Range, one of which is effectively concealed by thrust faulting. The deepest part of the Denver basin lies just southeast of the Denver city limits with the lowest closing contour on the Dakota sandstone at about -4,900 feet, or roughly 10,000 feet deep. End_of_Article - Last_Page 966------------