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Tapping the Earth's natural heat Tapping the Earth's natural heat

T he Earth is a bountiful source of heat. It continuously produces heat at depth, primarily by the decay of naturally radioactive chemical elements (principally uranium, thorium, and potassium) that occur in small amounts in all rocks. This deep heat then rises toward the cooler surface, where scientists can measure the rate of its escape through the Earth's crust. The annual heat loss...
Authors
Wendell A. Duffield, J.H. Sass, M.L. Sorey

Quaternary tectonics of Utah with emphasis on earthquake-hazard characterization Quaternary tectonics of Utah with emphasis on earthquake-hazard characterization

This report consolidates and synthesizes information on Quaternary faulting, folding, and volcanism in Utah and characterizes recent tectonic activity throughout the state. The primary purpose is to provide a comprehensive reference on faultspecific seismic sources and surface rupture to facilitate the evaluation of earthquake hazards in Utah. Two 1:500,000-scale maps show Quaternary...
Authors
Suzanne Hecker

Seismic evidence for active magmatic underplating beneath the Basin and Range Province, western United States Seismic evidence for active magmatic underplating beneath the Basin and Range Province, western United States

Near-vertical and wide-angle seismic reflection data provide evidence for the presence of a magma body at the base of the crust beneath Buena Vista Valley in northwestern Nevada. The seismic response of this hypothesized magma body is characterized by high-amplitude, near-vertical P wave reflections and a comparably strong P-to-S converted phase. The magma body, referred to here as the...
Authors
Craig M. Jarchow, George A. Thompson, Rufus D. Catchings, Walter D. Mooney
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