Seismic evidence of faulting and fault reactivation of the Rome Trough with implications for Trenton exploration in West Virginia.

By

BLAXTON, JERRY B.

Integrity Geophysical Services Inc., Mt. Pleasant, MI

     High-resolution seismic data acquired over the central portion of the Rome Trough reveal at least four periods of tectonic stress release resulting in large scale faulting and fault reactivation. Vertical displacement along the fault planes can exceed 5000 feet at the basement contact and displacement of 250 feet can be found at the Trenton.

     Reactivated fault systems, in particular, appear to be an essential exploration criterion for locating highly fractured Trenton Black River carbonates.