Seismic investigation of the Matador Arch and Central Basin Platform

A total of 89 seismic stations were deployed by Texas Tech University within and surrounding the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in order to study crustal structure in this area. Three different instruments were included and stations were deployed for periods of one month. Comparison of data recorded by each instrument is used to determine which seismometers are not ideal for short-term, passive source seismic experiments. Additional data acquired from the USArray transportable network was used to determine what effects significant geologic structures in western Texas have on the topography of the Moho and distinct boundaries in the mid-to-upper crust. Seismic data was processed using the traditional and wavefield iterative deconvolution receiver function methods before being stacked. The Moho and midcrustal discontinuity both deepen in the northern region of the Central Basin Platform beneath mafic intrusions in the upper crust. Gravity anomaly maps, known basement rock location and composition from well data, and gravity models are compared to topographic maps of the Moho and midcrustal discontinuity. Seismic signature in the lower crust and depth to the Moho suggest a rift pillow associated with the Delaware aulacogen is present beneath the northern region of the Central Basin Platform. The Matador Arch appears to have a signature on the Moho and midcrustal discontinuity.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geosciences

Grantor

Texas Tech University

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Rand, Miles Allen

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Gurrola, Harold

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Asquith, George B.
• Sweet, Dustin E.

• Mafic Intrusions
• Rift Pillow
• Receiver Functions
• Central Basin Platform
• Matador Arch

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2346/82663

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ttu-ir.tdl.org:2346/82663