Sequence stratigraphy and facies of estuarine Borrego Pass sandstone, New Mexico
The Coniacian-age Borrego Pass sandstone outcrops along the southern flank of the San Juan basin between Gallup and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The unit is discontinuous along strike, forming five discrete sand bodies separated by areas of apparent nondeposition. Sequence stratigraphically, the Borrego Pass sandstone is inferred to represent a transgressive systems tract related to the Coniacian sea level rise. Observed discontinuities along strike of this sandstone suggest the existence of significant coastal plain relief in the form of estuaries which were previously valleys cut and occupied by Torrivio Member (Gallup Formation) streams during the preceding sea level lowstand. The base of the Torrivio is a sequence boundary. With rise in sea level the estuaries were, in part, filled by the tidally dominated Borrego Pass sandstone. Nine different lithofacies are discriminated on the basis of lithology, physical and biogenic sedimentary structures, paleoflow patterns, fossil content, and lateral and vertical trends in texture. Coarse-grained facies are flood-tidal deltas, tidal channels, washover fans, oyster reefs, estuary mouth shoals, and fluvial (distributary ) channels. The finer grained facies are bioturbated back-barrier tidal flats, coals and carbonaceous shales, and flood-plain shales.
- OSTI ID:
- 5542046
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8910195-; CODEN: AABUD
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Vol. 73:9; Conference: AAPG Rocky Mountain Section meeting, Albuquerque, NM (USA), 1-4 Oct 1989; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Facies architecture of Tocito Shelf sandstone, Northwest New Mexico
Architecture of a transgressive systems tract: Tocito sandstone, New Mexico
Related Subjects
NEW MEXICO
STRATIGRAPHY
CARBONATE ROCKS
COAL DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SHALES
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USA
580100* - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989)