Processes of Crustal Extension in East-Central Idaho

大陆伸展是构造学的一个主要方面，了解其所涉及的过程以及在多大程度上古老的构造影响年轻断层的定位、分割和方向是很重要的。爱达荷州中东部的伸展历史可以追溯到始新世，并产生了高度分段和断裂的地壳，是研究伸展过程的理想地区。该项目将绘制选定区域的地图，并进行古地磁研究，以评估地壳分裂成绕垂直轴旋转的离散块的程度。研究结果将用于更好地了解西科迪勒拉部分地区的构造历史、地壳伸展的力学和运动学以及发震正断裂带的演化。

Continental extension is a major aspect of tectonics and it is important to understand the processes involved and to what extent older structures influence the localization, segmentation and orientations of younger faults. East-central Idaho is an ideal area to study extensional processes because of the long history of extension which dates back to Eocene time and produced a highly segmented and faulted crust. This project will map selected areas and conduct paleomagnetic studies to evaluate the extent to which the crust breaks up into discrete blocks which rotate about vertical axes. The results will be used to better understand the tectonic history of part of the western Cordillera, the mechanics and kinematics of crustal extension and the evolution of seismogenic normal fault zones.