An integrated high-resolution geophysical and geologic visualization of a Lake Bonneville shoreline deposit (Utah, USA)

• DOI: 10.1190/int-2018-0116.1
• Publication Date: 2018-11-22T04:27:13Z
• Authors: Katelynn M. Smith; John H. McBride; Stephen T. Nelson; R. William Keach; Samuel M. Hudson; David G. Tingey; Kevin A. Rey; Gregory T. Carling
• Keywords: Outcrop; Ground-Penetrating Radar

Pilot Valley, located in the eastern Basin and Range, Western Utah, USA, contains numerous shorelines depositional remnants of Late Pleistocene Lake Bonneville. These present excellent ground-penetrating radar (GPR) targets due to their coherent stratification, low-clay, low-salinity, low moisture content. Three-dimensional GPR imaging can resolve fine-scale stratigraphy these deposits down a few centimeters, when combined with detailed outcrop characterization, it provides an in-depth look at architecture deposits. On western side well-preserved late gravel bar records shoreline processes associated Provo (or just post-Provo) period. data, measured stratigraphic sections, cores, paleontological sampling for paleoecology radiocarbon dating, mineralogical analysis permit reconstruction environment this well-exposed prograding bar. Contrary other described Bonneville deposits, calibrated ages ranging from 16.5 14.3 (ka, BP) indicate that was stable active during overall regressive stage lake, as dropped post-Provo level). Our study model ancient pluvial lakeshore Range province suggests stable, progradational bedforms common various stages are likely not all periods stability, is commonly assumed. The high-resolution visualization demonstrates high degree compartmentalization possible potential subsurface reservoir target based on sedimentary facies.