Stratigraphy and paleostructures of Temblor formation in northern Temblor Range, California
Detailed stratigraphic correlations using both electric logs and measured surface sections illuminate the structural and stratigraphic complexities of the middle Tertiary Temblor Formation in the northern Temblor Range. Individual members thin onto unconformity-bounded paleostructures, indicating syntectonic deposition. The thinned members (upper Santos Shale, Carneros Sandstone, Media Shale, and Buttonbed Sandstone members) date tectonic activity, primarily by en echelon folding, from the early Saucesian through Relizian (23-17 Ma). These en echelon folds follow a regional northwest-southeast trend and have cores of Eocene and Cretaceous strata. The tectonism corresponds in age to the passage of the Mendocino triple junction along the California coast. Numerous local subbasins, uplifts, unconformities, and thickness variations along the western margin of the San Joaquin basin are the direct result of tectonic influence on basin development and sedimentation. One major paleostructure lies along the present-day Antelope Valley, has a core of Eocene Point of Rocks Formation, and is unconformably overlain by upper Miocene Monterey Formation. The Temblor is absent except at the head of Antelope Valley, where it is preserved as a shallow marine and nonmarine sequence in Conoco's Cholame Cattle Company 1 well (Sec. 29, T25S, R17E). Surface exposures of the Carneros Sandstone and Media Shale Members near Polonio Pass thin toward this well, suggesting tectonic growth of the Antelope Valley structure during deposition. On the southern flank, the upper Santos Shale, Carneros Sandstone, and Media Shale Members thin from McDonald anticline to Shale Hills, where the Temblor is completely absent. The northern Temblor Range exposes the shallow-shelf Carneros Sandstone member and the upper bathyal Media Shale member west of Antelope Valley.
- Research Organization:
- Conoco Inc., Ventura, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 6987473
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8604187-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 70:4; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologist Pacific Section convention, Bakersfield, CA, USA, 16 Apr 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CALIFORNIA
RESERVOIR ROCK
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
STRATIGRAPHY
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
SANDSTONES
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SHALES
TERTIARY PERIOD
WELL LOGGING
CENOZOIC ERA
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGY
MESOZOIC ERA
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ROCKS
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USA
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration