Gravity Data from Dry Lake and Delamar Valleys, east-central Nevada
Cenozoic basins in eastern Nevada and western Utah constitute major ground-water recharge areas in the eastern part of the Great Basin, and our continuing studies are intended to characterize the geologic framework of the region. Prior to these investigations, regional gravity coverage was variable over the region, adequate in some areas and very sparse in others. The current study in Nevada provides additional high-resolution gravity along transects in Dry Lake and Delamar Valleys to supplement data we established previously in Cave and Muleshoe Valleys. We combine all previously available gravity data and calculate an up-to-date isostatic residual gravity map of the study area. Major density contrasts are identified, indicating zones where Cenozoic tectonic activity could have been accommodated. A gravity inversion method is used to calculate depths to pre-Cenozoic basement rock and to estimate maximum alluvial/volcanic fill in the valleys. Average depths of basin fill in the deeper parts of Cave, Muleshoe, Dry Lake, and Delamar Valleys are approximately 4 km, 2 km, 5 km, and 3 km, respectively.