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Pulling the rug out from under California: Seismic images of the Mendocino Triple Junction region Pulling the rug out from under California: Seismic images of the Mendocino Triple Junction region

The active tectonic regime of northwestern California changes abruptly from transform motion to subduction at the Mendocino Triple Junction. Northward migration of the triple junction has been a major factor in the tectonic history of the continental margin of California since the Oligocene and continues at present. Understanding the effects of triple junction migration on the structure...
Authors
Anne M. Trehu

Fluid-inclusion evidence for past temperature fluctuations in the Kilauea East Rift Zone geothermal area, Hawaii Fluid-inclusion evidence for past temperature fluctuations in the Kilauea East Rift Zone geothermal area, Hawaii

Heating and freezing data were obtained for fluid inclusions in hydrothermal quartz, calcite, and anhydrite from several depths in three scientific observation holes drilled along the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii. Compositions of the inclusion fluids range from dilute meteoric water to highly modified sea water concentrated by boiling. Comparison of measured drill-hole
Authors
Keith E. Bargar, Terry E.C. Keith, Frank A. Trusdell

Roof-rock contamination of magma along the top of the reservoir for the Bishop Tuff Roof-rock contamination of magma along the top of the reservoir for the Bishop Tuff

The Bishop Tuff, a Quaternary high-silica rhyolite in east-central California, is widely considered the type example of a vertically and monotonically zoned pyroclastic deposit that represents zoning in the source magma reservoir, inverted during the process of pyroclastic emplacement. However, the deposit of plinian pumice, which forms the base of the Bishop Tuff and represents the...
Authors
W. A. Duffield, J. Ruiz, J.D. Webster

Frequent outburst floods from South Tahoma Glacier, Mount Rainier, USA: Relation to debris flows, meteorological origin, and implications for subglacial hydrology Frequent outburst floods from South Tahoma Glacier, Mount Rainier, USA: Relation to debris flows, meteorological origin, and implications for subglacial hydrology

Destructive debris flows occur frequently at glacierized Mount Rainier volcano, Washington, U.S.A. Twenty-three such flows have occurred in the Tahoma Creek valley since 1967. Hydrologic and geomorphic evidence indicate that all or nearly all of these flows began as outburst floods from South Tahoma Glacier. Flood waters are stored subglacially. The volume of stored water discharged...
Authors
J. S. Walder, C. L. Driedger

San Andreas fault zone drilling project: scientific objectives and technological challenges San Andreas fault zone drilling project: scientific objectives and technological challenges

We are leading a new international initiative to conduct scientific drilling within the San Andreas fault zone at depths of up to 10 km. This project is motivated by the need to understand the physical and chemical processes operating within the fault zone and to answer fundamental questions about earthquake generation along major plate-boundary faults. Through a comprehensive program of...
Authors
S.H. Hickman, L.W. Younker, Mark D. Zoback

The USGS/OFDA Volcano Disaster Assistance Program The USGS/OFDA Volcano Disaster Assistance Program

An erupting volcano is one of nature's truly spectacular sights. From a distance, or perhaps through the cameras of the news media, we often observe roiling mushroom clouds of ash or flows of incandescent lava issuing from the volcano's throat. If, however, you happen to live near that erupting volcano, your life or livelihood may be endangered and your property at risk of destruction a...
Authors
J.W. Ewert, C.D. Miller

Mining the earth's heat in the basin and range Mining the earth's heat in the basin and range

The Geothermal Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is revisiting the Basin and Range Province after a hiatus of over a decade. The Basin and Range is a region of Neogene extension and generally high, but regionally and locally variable heat flow. The northern Basin and Range (Great Basin) has higher mean elevation and more intense Quaternary extension than does the southern...
Authors
John H. Sass
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