Absolute Dating of Limestone Scarps Created by Paleoearthquakes Using Cosmogenic Carbon-14

这项研究是开发一种技术，通过分析宇宙射线通量产生的碳-14在暴露的石灰岩断层陡崖上方解石中的分布来确定断层上的运动。最初的调查区域将在内华达州的普莱森特山谷和犹他州的奥奎尔-斯坦斯伯里山脉。碳-14产量将在已知年龄的表面上进行校准，如Bonneville和Provo海岸线特征，这些特征以前曾用于校准原位产生的宇宙成因同位素。未来的研究可以扩展到使用其他矿物，这将大大扩展该方法的实用性。目标是将暴露断层上地震发生的记录延伸到史前时期。这项研究是国家减少地震危害计划的一个组成部分。

This research is to develop a technique to date movements on faults by analysis of the distribution of cosmic-ray-flux- generated carbon-14 in calcite on exposed limestone fault scarps. The initial area of investigation will be in Pleasant Valley, Nevada, and in the Oquirrh-Stansbury Ranges, Utah. Carbon-14 production will be calibrated on surfaces of known age such as Bonneville and Provo Shoreline features which have previously been used to calibrate in situ produced cosmogenic isotopes. Future studies could be extended to use other minerals which will greatly extend the method's usefulness. The goal is to extend the record of earthquake occurrence on exposed faults into pre- historical times. This research is a component of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program.