Teton Fault

The fault has a length of 44 miles (70 km) and runs along the eastern base of the Teton Range.

The fault is on the boundary of four major geologic provinces: the Basin and Range, Idaho-Wyoming Thrust belt, Rocky Mountain Foreland, and the Yellowstone volcanic plateau.

The Rocky Mountain Foreland is located east of the Teton fault and is a region of thicker crust.

This section of crust is heavier and adds to the vertical downward force on the hanging wall of fault.

The Yellowstone volcanic plateau is a region of uplift and expansion that influences both vertical and horizontal forces on the Teton fault.

The unique dip of the Teton fault can be explained by the subsidence of the Snake River Plain.

As this section of crust cools it tends to subside causing the footwall of the fault to tilt down toward the west.

Movement on the Teton fault occurs on a plane that averages a strike of N10°E and dips 45° to 75° to the east.

[2] Despite its lack of recent seismic activity, it is believed that the Teton fault could produce a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

[2] An earthquake this large would cause severe ground shaking and potential liquefaction in the valley of Jackson Hole.

An earthquake could cause the valley of Jackson Hole to tilt slightly to the west altering stream and river channels as well as changing groundwater levels.