GRAVITY STUDY IN THE RIO GRANDE RIFT IN WEST TEXAS AND CHIHUAHUA REGION

The active Rio Grande Rift plays a major role in geological structures surrounding the El Paso- Ciudad Juarez region such structures include the Hueco Bolson which is located in the westernmost Texas and northern Chihuahua Mexico. The Hueco Bolson is the main aquifer for the El Paso- Ciudad Juarez metropolitan area. The geologic structure of the Hueco Bolson includes Quaternary faulting that has helped to produce a basin, up to 9000 ft. in the deepest part. In previous studies have reveal that These Quaternary faults extend outside urbanized portions of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez and they extend beneath the city and play a role in controlling the compartmentmentalization of subsurface aquifers in the Hueco Bolson. In order to study these features in detail within the city, we needed to integrate data collected in previous studies by, Imana (2002), Khatun (2003), Marrufo (2011), Avila (2011), and Moncada (2001). The gravity data presented will be a collaboration of Universities in Mexico (UACJ) and United States (UTEP). Data are collected in the U.S. using a Lacoste Romberg gravimeter, while in Mexico Scintrex CG5 meter is used. Both surveys use and differential GPS equipment for location and elevation control. The research will present a change in trend in East Franklin Fault which has North-South trend that extends into Ciudad Juarez city limits and changes to a Southeast-Northwest trend following the Rio Grande Rift structures.