Permian reefs of Texas and New Mexico: history of their study and scientific influence

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6333036

Rigby, J K

No fossil reef has more influenced thinking on carbonate and evaporite deposition, paleontology, paleoecology, and accumulation of petroleum than the Permian reefs of Texas and New Mexico. Study of the reefs can be divided into six fairly distinct periods. Little attention was given these Permian rocks, following discovery in 1855, until work by Girty and Richardson resulted in the monumental Guadalupian Fauna. Their study and those of Udden, Darton, Baker and others typify the first period. Discovery of oil in Permian rocks in Winkler County, Texas in 1926 initiated the second period, one when outcrops in the Guadalupe Mountains and elsewhere were examined to help explain puzzling stratigraphic relationships seen in the subsurface. E.R. Lloyd published in 1929 that the Capitan Limestone was a reef. The third period was dominated by P.B. and R.E. King and their colleagues. It was a time of geologic mapping and stratigraphic study. Adams et al. proposed Permian series based on sections in the Glass and Guadalupe Mountains. The fourth period is characterized by the classic study of Newell and his associates and was a time of paleoecologic and paleontologic work. Seminal studies by industry geologists, such as Dunham (Shell) and Pray and Tyrrell (Amoco) typify the fifth period. Dunham's work, in particular, spurred study of massive reef and bedded shelf facies and reef profiles. The sixth period is characterized by continuing detailed study of physical aspects of reef and shelf rocks by University of Wisconsin students and faculty, although they have also included work on algae and conodonts.

• Research Organization: Brigham Young Univ., Provo, UT (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6333036
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 17
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
CARBONATE ROCKS
FEDERAL REGION VI
FOSSILS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PALEONTOLOGY
PERMIAN BASIN
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
REEFS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
TEXAS
USA