CLARENDON-LINDEN FAULT OF WESTERN NEW YORK

The Clarendon-Linden structure is the most prominent structural feature in the Paleozoic rocks in western New York. This structure was discovered by Chadwick when he suggested the existence of a large fault between the towns of Clarendon and Linden. In the vicinity of Linden, the formations to the west were at a lower elevation than those to the east. This led Chadwick to believe the structure is a fault with the downthrown side on the west.

In 1966-68, Revetta conducted detailed gravity and magnetic surveys in the area of the Clarendon-Linden structure. Gravity measurements were made at two mile intervals to conduct a gravity map of scale 1:62,500 and contour interval of 1 mGal. The gravity survey indicated a series of gravity highs traverse the state from north to south along the eastern flank of the Clarendon-Linden fault. The gravity anomalies are due to density contrasts in the Precambrian basement, however it is possible that the Clarendon-Linden fault is related to the anomalies. Also since the gravity anomalies extend across Lake Ontario, it is believed the Clarendon-Linden fault traverses the lake into Canada. Upward and downward continuation and second derivative filtering techniques applied to the data indicate the source of the anomalies extend at least to 9.6 km. The gravity anomalies also branch to the west at Attica, New York, an active seismic area. A magnetic survey also indicates a magnetic high along the eastern flank of the Clarendon-Linden fault. Magnetic anomalies are also due to the Precambrian basement rocks and the abrupt change in magnetic patterns across the fault suggests control of the fault by the Precambrian basement.