The Denali Fault:
Geophysical Investigations of the Denali Fault System in Alaska

Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller
Dr. Douglas Christensen
Geophysical Institute,

Geophysical Investigations of the Denali Fault System in Alaska
An EARTHWATCH Student Challenge Awards project, funded through a Durfee Foundation grant to EARTHWATCH.

The Denali fault is one of the largest fault systems in Alaska with obvious recent (in geologic time) offsets of hundreds of kilometers. Nevertheless, very little is known about the current motions on the fault and the character of the crust across the fault. This project will attempt to make some simple observations about the current slip rate on the fault, and the rock types on either side. Future research plans include a detailed seismic study of the region, and a detailed Global Positioning System (GPS) survey across the fault system.

Eight high-school students on this EARTHWATCH-sponsored project will be trained in the use of GPS receivers, seismometers, gravimeters, and magnetometers. The students will be trained both in the use of the equipment, and also the theory and use of the measurements.

The Summit of Denali (Mt. McKinley) viewed from the southeast.
Click on the photo to download a higher resolution image (65k)

News and Notes:

7/14/97 Updated Pre-trip information.
7/7/97 Initial version of the page. Check out the photos!
8/17/97 A successful trip is finished!

1997 Denali fault geophysical investigations Student team in Denali National Park

• Pre-trip Information
• Scenic Photos (pre-trip)
• Project personnel and students (some students are still adding to their pages remotely)
• Project Log (more photos)

Funding:

and the Durfee Foundation

Additional research on the Denali fault is funded by National Science Foundation grant EAR97-06318.