Testing a kinematic and geometric fault slip transfer model: Geologic and LIDAR mapping and

40Ar/39Ar Geochronology in the northern Eastern California Shear Zone, California

MS Thesis Candidate: Kevin M DeLano, delano@geology.cwu.edu
MS Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Jeffrey Lee, jeff@geology.cwu.edu
Introduction
The spatial and temporal distribution of strain
across the Walker Lane Belt (WLB) – Eastern
California Shear Zone (ECSZ), which
accommodates ~20% of Pacific-North America plate
motion, is a major tectonic question. To characterize
the evolution of fault kinematics and determine the
mechanisms of intracontinental deformation,
geologists compare geodetic and geologic slip rates.
Across the northern ECSZ, at 37.5°N-38°N, the sum
of geologically determined fault slip rates is ~33%
of the geodetically determined NW dextral shear rate
(Frankel et al., 2011). To resolve part of this
discrepancy, Nagorsen-Rinke et al. (2013) proposed
a kinematic fault slip transfer model whereby NW
dextral shear is transferred from the Owens Valley
fault (OVF) north-northwest to the Mina deflection
via undocumented slip. To test this model, I will
accomplish new field geologic mapping and
structural, kinematic, and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology
Figure 1. Shaded relief map of the northern Eastern
studies to determine the faulting and volcanic California Shear Zone and western Basin and Range
Province, showing major Quaternary faults. Solid circles are
histories of the Black Mountain area and LiDAR on the hanging wall of normal faults; arrows indicate
mapping of faults in the Volcanic Tableland. I will relative motion across strike-slip faults. Modified from Lee
et al. (2009).
use anticipated Pliocene to Pleistocene fault slip
rates for the Black Mountain area and Volcanic Tableland to address regional tectonic questions, including the
discrepancy between geodetic and geologic fault slip rates, the spatial and temporal distribution of strain in the
northern ECSZ, and the relative contributions of geodynamic forces driving deformation at the northern margin of
the ECSZ.

Background and Importance

Transform motion between the Pacific and North American plates is partitioned between the San Andreas
Fault system (~80% of the plate motion) and the WLB-ECSZ (~20% of the plate motion). Fault slip across the
DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 2

WLB-ECSZ is characterized by a dominant set of NW-striking dextral faults, which strike sub-parallel to Pacific-
North America plate motion, and lesser NS-striking to NE-striking normal faults, and ENE-striking sinistral faults
(Fig. 1). Numerous investigations along
the WLB-ECSZ have centered on
documenting fault slip rates over geologic
and geodetic time scales. Across a NE-
striking transect of northern ECSZ at
latitude 37.5°N-38°N, a discrepancy exists
between geologic and geodetic slip rates
(Fig. 2). The sum of geologic fault slip
rates is ~33% of the geodetic NW dextral
shear rate, 10 mm/yr (Frankel et al., 2011;
Lifton et al., 2013).

To resolve part of the discrepancy,

Nagorsen-Rinke et al. (2013) proposed a
fault slip kinematic model whereby NW
dextral shear along the NNW-striking
dextral Owens Valley fault (OVF) is
transferred north-northwest to ENE-
striking faults in the Mina deflection (Fig.
3). In this kinematic model, NW dextral
shear at the northern margin of the OVF is
transferred northward via two
components: (a) one component to the
northeast along the NW-striking dextral
White Mountains fault zone (WMFZ),
which accommodates ~0.30-0.45 mm/yr
(Kirby et al., 2006) to ≥1.1 mm/yr of slip
(Lifton et al., 2013) and (b) a second
component to the northwest through the Volcanic Tableland, into the Black Mountain area, and onto faults in the
Adobe Hills via ~0.6 mm/yr ~EW-extension on NNE-striking normal faults since the Pliocene.
Fault slip rates in the Black Mountain area can be constrained because faults offset datable Miocene to
Pleistocene volcanic rock units. Slip rates in the Volcanic Tableland can be constrained via LiDAR mapping
because faults show measurable offset in the Bishop tuff, a 759 ka pyroclastic flow. Through new geologic field
DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 3

mapping, structural geology, and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology in the Black Mountain area and LiDAR mapping
across the Volcanic Tableland, I will document fault slip
kinematics, magnitude of fault slip, timing of volcanism,
and fault slip rates over time. My results will allow me to
test the Nagorsen-Rinke et al. (2013) kinematic model and
address regional tectonic questions, including the local
discrepancy between geodetic and geologic slip rates, the
spatial and temporal distribution of regional strain in the
northern ECSZ, and the relative contributions of plate
boundary vs. gravitational potential energy forces in
driving deformation within this area of the ECSZ.
Geologic Setting
The northern ECSZ (Fig. 1) is a ~100-200 km wide
domain of NW dextral shear that extends from the ENE-
striking Garlock fault north to the Mina deflection, a fault
slip transfer zone that relays dextral shear from the
northern ECSZ, across a ~60 km right-stepover, to the
Central Walker Lane Belt. Starting ~12 Ma,
intracontinental Pacific-North American dextral shear
initiated on NW-striking dextral faults in the northern
ECSZ (Faulds and Henry, 2008). The Pliocene
delamination of the lithospheric root beneath the Sierra
Nevada changed regional lithospheric heat flow dynamics,
and is a proposed driver of the westward shift in E-W
extension and regional dextral shear (Jones et al., 2004).
Fault slip rates decreased on the Fish Lake Valley-Death
Valley fault zone and increased on the White Mountains-
Owens Valley fault zone (Malservisi et al., 2001;
Nagorsen-Rinke et al., 2013; Saleeby et al., 2012). Today,
overlapping NW-striking dextral faults, connected by NE-
striking normal faults, accommodate NW dextral shear (Lee et al., 2001; Faulds and Henry, 2008).
Faulting History of the Owens Valley
Exposed within the Owens Valley, a ~175 km long extensional graben, is the White Mountains-Owens Valley
fault zone, one of the major NW-striking dextral faults that accommodates shear across the ECSZ (Lee et al.,
DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 4

2009). The Owens Valley fault is a ~55 km long, NNW-striking, dextral fault system (Fig. 3). Dextral slip along
the OVF, or its precursor structure, initiated ~83 Ma and accommodated 50-60 km of dextral slip during the Late
Cretaceous and early Tertiary (Glazner et al., 2005). About 3 Ma, the westward shift in regional dextral shear
reactivated the OVF as a complex system of dextral, normal, and oblique faults (Glazner et al., 2005; Stockli et
al., 2003). Since reactivation, the OVF has accommodated ~6-9 km of dextral displacement (Glazner et al., 2005)
Nagorsen-Rinke et al. (2013) proposed that the OVF transfers slip to the Mina deflection via two components: (a)
an eastward step onto the dextral White Mountains fault zone (WMFZ) and (b) a predicted northwestward step
onto a set of faults that cut across the Volcanic Tableland (Figs. 2 and 3). The WMFZ is a ~60 km long, NW-
striking, dextral-normal oblique fault system (Fig. 1). Slip along the WMFZ initiated ~12 Ma as a normal fault,
accommodated 8 km of west-down horizontal displacement, and uplifted the modern White Mountains . Since
strike-slip initiated ~3 Ma, the WMFZ has accommodated 1.5-2.5 km of dextral displacement (Stockli et al.,
2003).
Slip rates on the OVF and WMFZ appear to have varied temporally since the Pleistocene. Late Pleistocene
(80-55 ka) dextral slip on the northern OVF was calculated at 2.8 mm/yr ± error (Kirby et al., 2008), wheras the
latest Pleistocene (25 ka) dextral slip rate on the southern OVF was calculated at 1.0 ± 0.5 mm/yr (Bacon and
Pezzopane, 2007). The discrepancy in slip rates suggests that either slip on the OVF decreased during the late
Pleistocene or that slip across the southern Owens Valley is distributed across a broad deformation zone rather
than concentrated on a single fault stand. Of the latter is true, then the dextral slip rate estimate of Bacon and
Pezzopane (2007) is an underestimate for the total slip rate across the southern Owens Valley. A minimum dextral
slip rate of 1.1 ± 0.1 mm/yr since the eruption of the Bishop tuff (~759 ka) was calculated for the WMFZ (Lifton,
2013). An investigation by (Kirby et al., 2006) suggested that dextral slip rates decreased to 0.37-0.57 mm/yr
along the WMFZ since the late Pleistocene (90-60 ka). In contrast, a more recent investigation by (Lifton, 2013)
yielded late Pleistocene slip rates of 1.9 +0.5/-0.4 to 1.8 +2.8/-0.7 mm/yr, indicating that the slip rate likely
remained constant through time. Geodetic measurements yield a modern slip rate of ≥1.9 mm/yr of slip (Lifton et
al., 2013), a rate consistent with the idea that slip rates along the WMFZ have been constant through time.
North of Owens Valley and west of the WMFZ, distributed NS-striking normal faults and NW-striking
dextral faults across the Volcanic Tableland, NNE-striking normal faults exposed in the Black Mountain area, and
NW-striking normal-oblique faults exposed in the southern Adobe Hills area transfer NW dextral shear from the
OVF to sinistral faults in the Mina deflection (Fig. 3) (Nagorsen-Rinke et al., 2013). The 758.9 ± 1.8 ka Bishop
tuff, a pyroclastic flow deposit, defines the Volcanic Tableland (Bogaard and Schirnick, 1995; Sarna-Wojcicki et
al., 2000). Tectonic geomorphology clearly shows that from south to north across part of the Volcanic Tableland,
NS-striking normal faults swing into NW-striking dextral faults and in turn swing back into NS-striking normal
faults (Fig. 4). These faults cut the Bishop tuff, which provides an ideal time-datum for documenting Pleistocene
fault slip rates. North of the Volcanic Tableland, the distributed faults consolidate onto NNE-striking normal
DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 5

faults in the Black Mountain area. Faults in the Black Mountain area cut Jurassic granitic basement and scattered
Miocene to Pleistocene volcanic flows and tuffs. Faults are buried under or cut Quaternary deposits.
Geologic slip rates on faults in the Volcanic Tableland and Black Mountain area have not been documented.
DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 6

Based on the Nagorsen-Rinke et al. (2013) kinematic model (Fig. 3), we predict that NW-striking faults cutting
the Volcanic Tableland accommodate ~0.4 mm/yr dextral shear and that NNE-striking normal faults in the Black
Mountain area (Fig. 2) accommodate 0.6 mm/yr of ~EW-extension.
Research Plan
To test the Nagorsen-Rinke et al. (2013) fault slip kinematic model, I will accomplish new field geologic
mapping and structural, kinematic, geomorphic and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology studies to determine the faulting and
volcanic histories of the Black Mountain area and LiDAR mapping of faults across the Volcanic Tableland (Fig.
2). The combination of desert exposure, well-preserved fault geometry and geomorphic indicators, and faulting
through datable Miocene to Pleistocene volcanic rocks make the Black Mountain area and Volcanic Tableland
excellent locations to study fault kinematics within the northern ECSZ. Field geologic mapping in the Black
Mountain area will be done on 1:12,000 digital orthophotoquadrangles georeferenced to DEM contours and
supported with structural and kinematic field data.
My field focus will be to map faults that cut Miocene to Pleistocene volcanic and sedimentary rock units
which unconformably overlie Mesozoic granitic rocks (Krauskopf and Bateman, 1977). To constrain fault
geometry, kinematics, and offset, I will use use stratigraphy, bedrock orientation, fault plane and striation
orientations, cross-cutting relationships, and geomorphic indicators. Field work will be conducted from June 2 to
August 3, 2014 with advisor supervision at the beginning, middle, and end of the field season. Two field
assistants, Tucker Lance and Peter Duboyski, will accompany me for the duration of fieldwork. I will combine
40
Ar/39Ar geochronology with fault offset measurements to calculate fault slip rates, a key dataset that will allow
me to determine the spatial and temporal evolution of faulting in the Black Mountain area and test and refine the
Nagorsen-Rinke et al. (2013) fault slip kinematic model.
Under the supervision of Dr. Andy Calvert, a collaborator of Dr. Jeffrey Lee, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of
volcanic rock units cut by and depositionally overlying faults will be conducted at the USGS, Menlo Park, CA.
Two 1-week trips are needed: (1) the first week, in late Fall 2014, will be spent crushing samples, separating
appropriate minerals for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and packaging the mineral separates for irradiation, and (2) the
second week, in late Spring 2015, will be spent assisting with extracting the gas for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology.
To determine the faulting history of the Volcanic Tableland, I will use high-resolution LiDAR topography to
map faults and calculate the magnitude of horizontal ~EW-extension across the NS-striking normal faults and
horizontal NE-SW extension across the NW-striking faults (Fig. 4). Using simple trigonometry, I can then
calculate the magnitude of NW dextral shear across the zone of NW-striking normal-dextral oblique faults (Fig.
5). Geologic slip rates can then be calculated by dividing the magnitude of offsets by the ~759 ka age of the
Bishop tuff (Bogaard and Schirnick, 1995; Sarna-Wojcicki et al., 2000). The combination of desert exposure,
well-preserved fault geometry, and faulting through a single time datum make the Volcanic Tableland an
DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 7

excellent site to document Pleistocene geologic slip rates, and to test and refine the Nagorsen-Rinke et al. (2013)
kinematic model.
My new geologic mapping, structural geology, and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology studies of the Black Mountain
area and LiDAR mapping of the Volcanic Tableland will also allow me to address regional tectonic questions,
including (a) whether the local discrepancy between geodetic and geologic slip rates is real, (b) the spatial and
temporal distribution of regional strain in the northern ECSZ, and (c) assessing the relative contributions plate
boundary vs. gravitational potential energy forces in driving deformation in this part of the ECSZ (Jones et al.,
2004; Saleeby et al., 2012).
DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 8

Schedule
 Spring 2014
o Defend thesis proposal (Friday May 23 at 9am)
o Start writing background of thesis?
o Investigation of faults in Volcanic Tableland from LiDAR data
o Submit GSA meeting abstract for LiDAR project
 Summer 2014
o June 2 – August 3: two month field season in Black Mountain area, Mono County, CA
o August: Spend time in California
o September: Return to Washington
 Fall 2014
o Select volcanic rock samples for thin sectioning and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology
o Compile geologic map, cross sections, structural data, and stratigraphic observations, and
complete limited petrography on volcanic rocks
o October - Present LiDAR mapping research at GSA in Vancouver
o Write background, methods, and preliminary results section of thesis
o October or November - First trip to USGS Menlo Park to prepare samples for 40Ar/39Ar
geochronology
 Winter 2015
o Complete analyses
o Complete figures
o Finish writing background, methods, and available results
 Spring 2015
o Second trip to USGS Menlo Park to complete geochronology
o Finish writing thesis
o Defend thesis in early June
 Summer 2015
o Go boating, travel, celebrate

Budget

Field Work
 Large pickup truck rental from Enterprise in Bishop, CA: $2807.98
 K.DeLano stipend: $6000-$7000
 WMRC lodging: $880 - covered
 T. Lance stipend: $2000
 Receieved $1000 from NCGS

40
Ar/39Ar geochronology, $2160
DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 9

Item Explanation Single Trip Cost Two Trip Total

Airfare Two round trip flights - Seattle to San Jose $400 $800
Ground Two round trip airport shuttles in Washington $70 $140
Transportation - Ellensburg, WA to Seattle, WA
Ground Two round Caltrain tickets in California - San $10 $20
Transportation Jose Airport to Menlo Park Inn
Hotel 12 nights at Pacific Euro Hotel @ $70/night $420 $840
Food per diem $30/day for 12 days $180 $360
Grand Total $2160
GSA funded -$1500
Remaining $616

Anticipated Support
1) USGS-EDMAP (funded). $17499 awarded to Dr. Jeffrey Lee for fieldwork only.
2) Northern California Geological Society (funded), $1000 awarded to K. DeLano for fieldwork.
3) National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (funded), awarded to K. DeLano for LiDAR dataset across a
portion of the Volcanic Tableland for mapping faults.
4) GSA Graduate Research Grant (funded), $1500 awarded to K. DeLano to support 40Ar/39Ar geochronology
analysis at USGS, Menlo Park, CA.
5) White Mountain Research Station minigrant (funded), awarded $880 to K. DeLano to cover lodging once every
10 days during fieldwork
6) Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies - American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Scholarship
Foundation (funded), awarded $4000 scholarship to K. DeLano.
7) Two Central Washington University graduate student research fellowships (pending), applied for $700 and
$2800 to support 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and a summer stipend for fieldwork.
8) Central Washington University general scholarship application (pending) for funding to cover tuition expenses.

References
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DeLano – MS Thesis Proposal 10

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