Mapping bedrock topography: a seismic refraction survey and landscape analysis in the Laramie Range, Wyoming

Physical, chemical, and biological processes create maintain the critical zone (CZ). In weathered crystalline rocks, these occur over 10–100 s of meters transform bedrock into soil. The CZ provides pore space flow paths for groundwater, supplies nutrients ecosystems, foundation life. Vegetation in aboveground depends on components actively mediates Earth system like evapotranspiration, nutrient water cycling, hill slope erosion. Therefore, vertical lateral extent can provide insight important chemical physical that link life surface with geology below. this study, we present 3.9 km seismic refraction data a granite Laramie Range, Wyoming. were collected to investigate two ridges clear contrasts vegetation slope. Given large slope, aspect, cover, expected differences structure. However, our results suggest no significant large-scale (>10 m) structure as function or aspect. Our appears relationship between LiDAR-derived canopy height depth fractured where tallest trees are located regions shallowest bedrock. After separating by presence lack vegetation, higher P-wave velocities under is likely result saturation.