Geophysics and Geodynamics Research at Colorado State University
Research in Progress
Structure
of the Precambrian Continental Margin of the Southeastern United States
(Harry,
Londono, and Huerta)
Gravity modeling combined with seismic
reflection, refraction, and well data provide constraints on the ancient
Precambrian passive continental margin that is buried beneath the coastal plain
of the southeastern United States. Close examination of the margin shows that the
variation in crustal thickness across the margin is strikingly similar to
profiles across modern transform margins, and is distinct from the pattern of
crustal thinning on modern rift margins. The Precambrian transform margin was a
major feature of the southern Laurentian continent, extending from what is now
eastern Oklahoma into western Alabama. The figure below shows a comparison of crustal
thickness profiles across various margins.(click
on image for larger view).
D.L. Harry, J. Londono, and A. Huerta,
Structure of the early Paleozoic transform margin beneath the southeastern United States Mississippi coastal plain, Geology, 31, 969-972, 2003.
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