APPALACHIAN FOLDS, LATERAL RAMPS, AND BASEMENT FAULTS: A MODERN ENGINEERING PROBLEM?

Field studies and analysis of radar data have shown that cross-strike faulting in the central and southern Appalachians has affected geologic structures at the surface. These basement faults appear to have been active through much of geologic time. Indeed, more than 45 percent of modern earthquakes occur along these narrow zones here termed 'lateral ramps. ' Because of this seismic activity, these lateral ramps are likely to be zones that are prone to slope failure. The engineer should be aware of the presence of such zones and the higher landslide potential along them.