HR: 0800h
AN: H31C-1321    [Abstracts]
TI: Utilizing Gravity Methods for Regional Studies in Basin Delineation: Case Study at Jornada del Muerto basin, New Mexico
AU: * Villalobos, J I
EM: jvillalobos@ag.tamu.edu
AF: Texas A&M University, 1380 A&M Circle, El Paso, TX 79927 United States
AB: The modeling of basin structures is an important step in the development of plans and policies for ground water management. To facilitate in the analysis of large scale regional structures, gravity data is implemented to examine the overall structural trend of the region. The gravitational attraction of structures in the upper mantle and crust provide vital information about the possible structure and composition of a region. Improved availability of gravity data via internet has promoted extensive construction and interpretation of gravity maps in the analysis of sub-surface structural anomalies. The utilization of gravity data appears to be particularly worthwhile because it is a non-invasive and inexpensive means of addressing the subsurface tectonic framework of large scale regions. In this paper, the author intends to illustrate 1) acquisition of gravity data and its processing; 2) interpretation of gravity data; and 3) sources of uncertainty and errors by using a case study of the Jornada del Muerto basin in South-Central New Mexico where integrated gravity data inferred several faults, sub-basins and thickness variations within the basins structure. The author also explores the integration of gravity method with other geophysical methods to further refine the delineation of basins.
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 1831 Groundwater quality
DE: 1836 Hydrological cycles and budgets (1218, 1655)
DE: 1884 Water supply
DE: 1894 Instruments and techniques: modeling
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005