EXPANDING THE OKLAHOMA FAULT DATABASE

The Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) is compiling a comprehensive Oklahoma Fault Database (OFD). Preliminary releases of the OFD comprised mapped faults found in OGS publications, university thesis maps, and industry-contributed shapefiles. The OGS plans on incorporating other sources of data to the OFD, such as new faults from geologic field mapping, seismic earthquake analyses, active-source seismic surveys, and potential fields modeling.

Here, we present faults that have been mapped by the OGS at 1:24k scale and 1:100k scale as part of the STATEMAP component of the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, a program to support production of geologic maps in the United States through the cooperation of Federal, State, and university partners. From 1993 through 2017, the OGS has completed 93 quadrangles (7.5’ and 30’ x 60’) covering approximately 68% of the state. Of these quadrangles, approximately 35% (or less than 25% of the state) have mapped surface faults.

We expect the integrated OFD to be a primary resource for various scientific investigations, including seismicity studies, subsurface mapping associated with hydrocarbon and water exploration, and subsurface fluid flow modeling. As more data become available and are assimilated into the OFD, the derivative products (e.g., fault maps) will continue to be updated and re-released.