NUREG/CR-0449, Research Info Ltr 69:transmits NUREG/CR-0449, Integrated Geophysical & Geological Study of Tectonic Framework W/ Extension of New Madrid Fault Zone. W/O Encl

Research Info Ltr 69:transmits NUREG/CR-0449, Integrated Geophysical & Geological Study of Tectonic Framework W/ Extension of New Madrid Fault Zone. W/O Encl

ML20009B277
Person / Time
Issue date:	11/19/1979
From:	Levine S NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES)
To:	Harold Denton, Minogue R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT
References
RIL-069, RIL-69, NUDOCS 8107150220
Download: ML20009B277 (5)

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NOV 101973 MEMORANDUM FOR: Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Robert B. Minogue, Director Office of Standards Development FROM:

Saul Levine, Director Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research RESEARCH INFORMATION LETTER NO. 6c(0GICAL STUDY

SUBJECT:

AN INTEGRATED GE0 PHYSICAL AND GE0 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF THE 38TH PARALLEI. LINEAMENT IN THE VICINITY OF ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE EXTENSION OF THE NEW MADRID FAULT ZONE

REFERENCES:

1.

Letter U. R. Stratton to Dixie Lee Ray dated fiay 16, 1973.

Subject:

Report on Seismic Research.

2.

Title 10, Chapter 1, Part 100, CFR Appendix A -

Seismic and Geologic Siting Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants.

3.

Memo:

N. B. Steuer to R. J. Mattson dated July 15, 197S.

Subject:

U.S. Tectonic Province Map.

This rmo transmits NUREG/CR-0449 entitled "An Integrated Geophysical and Geological Study of the Tectonic Framework of the 38th Parallel Linesiment a

in the Vicinity of Its Intersection with the Extension of the New Madrid fij Fault Zone." The research effort to produce this report was conducted by g

Purdue University, Department of Geosciences in FY 78, in cooperation with F's the Univu sity of Texas and the University of Pittsburgh Geoscience Departments.

This effort wac conducted under the direction of Prof. W. J.

Hinze of Purdue University as a part of the New Madrid Cooperative program.

NUREG/CR-0449 is an interim document reflecting information available as of 1978 and its conclusions may be modified at a later date.

SUMMARY

OF THE NEW MADRID COOPERATIVE PROGRAM This study is a part of the "New Madrid Seismotectonic Study" which is a coordinated program of geological, geophysical, and seismological investi-gations of the area within a 2. ; mile radius of New Madrid, Missouri. The study is designed to define the structural setting and tectonic history of the area in order to realistically evaluate earthquake risks in the siting of nuclear facilities. An important goal of the research program is to produce useful seismotectonic and seismic zoning maps for the study area.

8107150220 791119 PDR RES 0107150220 PDR

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• Harold Ro Denton Robert B. Minogue NOV 191379 s

Extensive gravity and aeromagnetic surveys have been conducted in critical areas of', Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana centering arcund the intersection of the 38th Parallel Lineament and the extension of the New Madrid Fault Zone. Available seromagnetic maps have been digitized and these data have been, processed by a suite of computar programs developed for this purpose. Seismic equipment has been prepared for crustal seismic studies and a 150 km long seismic refraction line has been observed along the Wabash River Valley Fault System.

Preliminary basement rock and configura-tion maps have been prepared based on studies of the samples derived from basement drill holes.

Interpretation of these data is only at a prelim-inary stage, but studies to this date indicate that the 38th Parallel Lineament features extend as far north as 39'N and a subtle northeasterly-striking magnetic and gravity anomaly cuts across Indiana from the south-west corner of the state, roughly on strike with the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

The 38th Parallel Lineament is a band of geologic features extending across eastern U.S. alcng the 38th rarallel of latitude.

It is manifested in many ways, but primarily by a series of east-west trending fault zones which were active at least through the Paleozoic era.

It may represent a Precambrian fracture zone or crustal boundary extending deeply into the crust and possibly the mantle. The northeasterly-treading New Madrid Fault Zone has been the site cf several intermediate and major earthquakes in historic time and is the most seismically active area in eastern North America. The trend of the New Madrid Fault Zone extends into southern Illinois and Indiana and the Wabash River Valley Fault System. This trend intersects the 38th Parallel Lineament in the vicinity of the confluence of the Uabash and Ohio Rivers.

Fundamental questions of the New Madrid Fault Zone are its extension to the northeast and the nature _ of its inter-section with the 38th Parallel Lineament. These questions are particularly significant to the evaluation of earthquake risk in the region.

This program is a part of the New Madrid Seismotectonic Study and is being coordinated with all NRC funded prog 6ms in th' New Madrid area.

Resul ts of these and other studies are presented in biannual symposiums and are being utilized and will be utilized to formulate conclusions and plan future investigations.

The major products completed and efforts underway to date include the following:

1.

Develop computer codes for gridding, contouring, and processing gravity and magnetic data.

2.

Prepare Bouguer gravity anomaly maps of western Kentucky.

3.

Conduct gravity survey of central Kentucky and southwestern Indiana, reduce data and prepare preliminary Bouguer gravity anomaly maps.

m.

Harald R. D;nton Robert B. Mingoue NOV 101373 4.

Prepare Bouguer gravity anomaly maps of Dyersburg Sheet (88*-90'W and 36'-37'il) and Paducah Sheet (88'-90'W and - 37'-38'il).

5.

Digitize and grid southwestern Illinois (south of 39*N and west of 89'W) aeromagnetic data.

6.

Digitize and grid Indiana aeromagnetic data. Analyze geomagnetic field removal problem and prepare total magnetic intensity anomaly Prepare interpretational maps (filter, second derivative, etc.)

map.

and preliminary interpretation.

7.

Conduct aeromagnetic survey of southeastern Illinois (south of 39'fl and east of 89'W), reduce data, and prepare anomaly map. Complete aeromagnetic tie lines across Illinois and Indiana.

8.

Prepare seismic equipment for crustal seismic studies and conduct a refraction line along !! abash River Valley Fault System.

9.

Prepare preliminary basement rock and configuration of basement surface maps from basement drill hole records and samples.

10. Prepare bibliography on tectonics of the flew Madrid area.

11. Prepare " Tectonic Overview of the Central Midcontinent."

12. Initiate petrologic investigation of the ultramafic and mafic intrusions of the midcontinent.

PLAtittltiG Initially, a five-year program was planned. General plans for the first four years are depicted on Figure 1, "A Schematic Program Summary."

BACKGROUf!D Support for Licensing Decisions Refer to RIL No. 48 "A Tectonic Overview of the Midcontinent." The background information in RIL 48 applies equally to this RIL.

It covers ACRS recommendations, relevance of 10 CFR Part 100 Appendix A to the study, and previous NRC effort and organization of the current programs.

Criteria for Study Area Selection Late in 1811 and early in 1812, the New Madrid area, which includes the area covered in NUREG/CR-0449, was the site of the strongest series of earthquakes ever recorded in the central United States. The Saint Louis Univeisity seismograph network recorded close to 200 seismic events each year for the past two years, indicating that the area continues to be seismically active.

Evaluating seismic risk for the surrounding region, especially when consideration is given to the siting of nuclear facilities, requires a better understanding of the structure and tectonics of the area and their relationship to the seismicity than is presently available.

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Harold R. Denton Robert B. Minogue NOV 191979 RESULTS flVREG/CR-0449 presents results of gravity and aeromagnetic surveys conducted in critical areas around the intersection of the 38th Parallel Lineament and the extension of the New Madrid Fault Zone. Available aeromagnetic maps have been digitized and these data have been processed by a suite of computer programs developed for this purpose. Seismic equipment has been prepared for crustal seismic studies and a 150 km long seismic refraction line has been observed along the Wabash River Valley Fault System.

Preliminary basement rock and configuration maps have been prepared based on studies of the samples derived from basement drill holes.

Interpretation of these data is only at a preliminary stage, but studies to this date indicate that the 38th Parallel Lineament features extend as far north as 39'f1 and a subtle northeasterly-striking magnetic and gravity anomaly cuts across Indiana from the southwest corner of the state, roughly on strike with the flew fladrid Seismic Zone.

Study results are being used by Rondout Associates, Inc., in a program funded by the !!RC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to produce a seismic zoning map of the eastern U.S.

Additionally, project data are considered by the NRR staff in making licensing decisions.

RECOMMEilDATI0]lS While these interim results are not definitive, we recommend that the current practice of extending the New Madrid 1811-1812 earthquakes north of the Rough Creek Fault Zone (38th Parallel Lineament) be continued until additional data being developed indicate that this practice should be changed.

It is also recommended that the information in NUREG/CR-0449 be considered by the Office of Standards Development and the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation as input to the development of a tectonic province or seismic zoning map of the eastern U.S. and to provide a basis and guide for ongoing studies in the area.

The interpretation of existing data is preliminary. Additional work is planned. Researchers may want tc complete interpretation of existing data so that this information can be used to plan future studies, including a long seismic line along the Wabash Valley River Fault System.

Additionally, RES recommends that studies be continued in this area to attain the objectives previously stated, with redirection and modification of projects as deemed necessary by ongoing work.

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Harold R. Denton Robert B. Minogue

-5' NOV 101979 f

Technical questions concerning NUREG/CR-0449 may be directed to fleil B.

Steuer 'at 427-4370.

f f

Saul Levine, Director Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Enclosure:

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~E Technic'al questions concerning NUREG/CR-0449 may be directed to Neil B.

Steuer it 427-4370.

Original S!;ned By Saul Levins,

Saul Levine Director Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Enclosure:

NUREG/CR-0449 DISTRIBUTION:

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