Three-dimensional geologic map of the southern Carson Sink, Nevada, including the Fallon FORGE area
The three-dimensional (3–D) geologic map characterizes the subsurface in the southern Carson Sink region. We created the 3–D map by integrating the results from seismic-reflection, potential-field-geophysical, and lithologic well-logging investigations completed in and around the Fallon FORGE site as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) initiative from 2015–2018. The FORGE initiative was part of an effort to develop the technologies, techniques, and knowledge needed to make enhanced geothermal systems a commercially viable electricity-generation option for the United States. Geologic units and structures mapped during the Fallon FORGE study, which particularly focused on the Mesozoic basement, were extrapolated to create the 3–D map of the southern Carson Sink area. The 3–D map area is 10 km wide along the east-west and north-south axes and extends 2.5 km below sea level, ~3.7 km below the land surface. Views of the map include horizontal and vertical sections and oblique perspective views from several angles. We describe the geologic units and structures and discuss the methods used to integrate the geologic and geophysical information in a 3–D geologic interpretation. We provide digital data for elements of the map, such as individual 3–D fault and stratigraphic surfaces and surface-fault traces. Input data are available from various data repositories through cited web links. A brief movie displaying the 3–D map is available at https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3437.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2019 |
---|---|
Title | Three-dimensional geologic map of the southern Carson Sink, Nevada, including the Fallon FORGE area |
DOI | 10.3133/sim3437 |
Authors | Drew L. Siler, James E. Faulds, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Nicholas H. Hinz, Jeffrey B. Witter, Kelly Blake, John Queen, Mark Fortuna |
Publication Type | Report |
Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
Series Title | Scientific Investigations Map |
Series Number | 3437 |
Index ID | sim3437 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center |