Western Appalachian Tectonics: ABSTRACT

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A research project to document and interpret western Appalachian tectonic patterns was started this past year. The first phase of the project has been the compilation of detailed geologic and structural maps on a regional base map to document the End_Page 1894------------------------------ styles of deformation both along the 38th parallel faults and within the western Appalachian basin. Preliminary results indicate the presence of a diversity of structural styles, both basement and detached deformation. Some of the more pertinent observations are: (1) Detached structures extend farther westward than commonly interpreted. (2) A north-south trend of detached folds is southwest of and parallel with Burning Springs anticline. (3) Structural styles along the 38th parallel fault trend include wrench faults, grabens, and down-to-basin faults. A major change in tectonic style occurs across the Cincinnati arch. (4) Detached structures may reflect basement structural trends so that the Cambrian and early Paleozoic basement structures affect the position and trend of upper Paleozoic basement and detached structures. Exploration for oil and gas largely has been on detached structures within the central Appalachian basin and basement structures farther west. Only the upper part of the stratigraphic section has been tested and there is a vast new virtually untested deep frontier within this mature basin. However, high cost of exploration for deep Cambrian-Ordovician targets requires geologists and geophysicists to apply their best talents and techniques to all available data. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1895------------