Low-Energy Seismic Survey of Quaternary Materials, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Abstract

One of the greatest needs in Quaternary stratigraphy is for information regarding subsurface units and the relations between them Low-energy (hammer) seismic surveying has the potential to provide that information inexpensively and unobtrusively In reconnaissance studies m Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, the Pinedale and Bull Lake tills, colluvium, alluvium, and weathered and fresh bedrock can be differentiated m the shallow subsurface (30 m) by this method Seismic velocities with units are constant *5%, and are generally constant _+ 10% for deposits present at several localities The ability of the method to discriminate among unconsolidated sediments of various ages and origins suggests that rt has potential for pedologic, geomorphic, and environmental applications