Structural Underpinnings and Neotectonics of the Southern Illinois Basin: An Overview

Research Article| July 01, 1997 Structural Underpinnings and Neotectonics of the Southern Illinois Basin: An Overview Dennis R. Kolata; Dennis R. Kolata Illinois State Geological Survey 615 East Peabody Drive Champaign, IL 61820 (D.R.K.) Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Thomas G. Hildenbrand Thomas G. Hildenbrand U.S. Geological Survey Mail Stop 989 345 Middlefield Road Menlo Park, CA 94025 (T.G.H.) Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Dennis R. Kolata Illinois State Geological Survey 615 East Peabody Drive Champaign, IL 61820 (D.R.K.) Thomas G. Hildenbrand U.S. Geological Survey Mail Stop 989 345 Middlefield Road Menlo Park, CA 94025 (T.G.H.) Publisher: Seismological Society of America First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1938-2057 Print ISSN: 0895-0695 © 1997 by the Seismological Society of America Seismological Research Letters (1997) 68 (4): 499–510. https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.68.4.499 Article history First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Dennis R. Kolata, Thomas G. Hildenbrand; Structural Underpinnings and Neotectonics of the Southern Illinois Basin: An Overview. Seismological Research Letters 1997;; 68 (4): 499–510. doi: https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.68.4.499 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietySeismological Research Letters Search Advanced Search Abstract The southern end of the Illinois Basin is one of the most structurally complex regions in the Midcontinent United States. Two major structural elements characterize this part of the basin: (1) A broad southwestward-plunging cratonic depression extends across central Illinois and southwestern Indiana. Investigations of historical and prehistorical earthquakes in this part of the basin indicate that moderate to high earthquake potential exists; the seismogenic sources, however, remain enigmatic. (2) The southernmost part of the basin is underlain by the Reelfoot Rift and Rough Creek Graben, a rift system that formed during late Precambrian to Middle Cambrian time. Geodynamic processes operating within the rift since the late Precambrian have had a major influence on the tectonic, diagenetic, and depositional history of the region. In addition, tectonic compressive stress appears to be reactivating ancient faults within the Reelfoot Rift, resulting in coherent linear segments of earthquake epicenters called the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Geological and geophysical information suggests that the cause of earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone is unrelated to that in the region north of the rift system. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.