Regional digital analysis of major crustal structures in Washington State

Abstract

Regional crustal structures within northeastern Washington State, the location of the study area, have been determined by an analysis of a digital elevation model (DEM). The analysis of the DEM is based on digitally detecting and correlating valleys present in topographic relief. Three dimensional local planar features are defined that relate to folds, faults, and/or fractures in the crust. The DEM contains an array of surface elevations with a nodal spacing of 154 m. The DEM encompasses the area from 47°45′ to 49° north latitude and from 117° to 118°30′ west longitude. Based on structural symmetries, structures determined by the analysis are interpreted to define the current regional stress domains. -from Authors