Tectonically controlled drainage fragmentation in the southwestern Great Basin, USA

Author:

Lutz B.M.1,Knott J.R.2,Phillips F.M.1,Heizler M.T.3,Heitkamp, Jr. K.A.2,Griffie E.L.2,Axen G.A.1,Calzia J.P.4

Affiliation:

1. 1Earth and Environmental Science Department, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, New Mexico 87801, USA

2. 2Department of Geological Sciences, California State University-Fullerton, 800 North State College Boulevard, Fullerton, California 92834, USA

3. 3Geochronology Research Laboratories, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, New Mexico 87801, USA

4. 4U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA

Abstract

The area now occupied by the Great Basin, western USA, contained paleo-fluvial systems that predated the modern-day endorheic (closed) basins. The areal extent of these paleo-fluvial systems within the southwestern Great Basin is known mainly from isolated remnants preserved in the modern mountain ranges. We document the age, extent, and tectonic disruption of Mio-Pliocene fluvial systems of the southwestern Great Basin. Synthesis of new field observations, geochemistry, and geochronology with existing studies defines two latest Miocene to Pliocene east-southeast flowing drainages that predated the modern endorheic basins. The drainage network was ultimately fragmented in Pliocene time (ca. 3.5-4 Ma). Fragmentation of the drainage network led to lake formation, drying of lakes, and the formation of isolated springs. The rapid environmental changes initiated by faulting and volcanism isolated previously interbreeding populations of spring-dwelling taxa and have caused divergent evolution since Pliocene time. Modern endemism within the region’s springs is thus a direct consequence of intraplate tectonism.

Publisher

Geological Society of America

Subject

Geology

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