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Paleogeographic and stratigraphic constraints on Lower Cretaceous Mesa Rica delta system, east-central New Mexico

Conference · · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5168264
; ;
The Mesa Rica Sandstone of east-central New Mexico undergoes facies transition from nonmarine fluvial distributary channels to fluvial-dominated deltaic strata over an outcrop distance of approximately 40 km. The underlying Tucumcari Shale contains equivalent prodelta deposits, and the overlying Pajarito Shale represents the delta-plain environment. The delta contains two major progradational lobes, each directly traceable into its correlative distributary channel system. Paleoflow within the older distributary system is toward the south-southwest (206/sup 0/), and progradation of its corresponding delta lobe is also in that direction (215/sup 0/). Eastward shift in fluvial transport (to 107/sup 0/) resulted in delta-lobe abandonment and established a younger lobe that prograded toward the east-southeast (106/sup 0/). Mesa Rica distributary sandstones correlate westward with alluvial strata of unknown age that have been assigned to the lower braided interval of the Dakota Formation or to the Mesa Rica Sandstone. Results of their study clearly link these fluvial deposits to the Mesa Rica delta front, which is of Albian age based on the presence of the index ammonoid Mortoniceras equidistans. They support assignment of these fluvial strata to the Mesa Rica Sandstone and reserve use of the name Dakota Formation for the overlying Cenomanian marine transgressive sandstone.
Research Organization:
Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque
OSTI ID:
5168264
Report Number(s):
CONF-860624-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 70:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS
COASTAL REGIONS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGY
MESOZOIC ERA
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
RESERVOIR ROCK
RIVER DELTAS
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
USA