Geology of Nash Draw, Eddy County, New Mexico
Nash Draw is a partially closed depression about 29 km (17 mi) east of Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico. It has been mapped geologically in conjunction with detailed studies to evaluate the proposed nuclear Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The stratigraphic section exposed in Nash Draw includes the Rustler Formation and Dewey Lake Red Beds of Late Permian (Ochoan) age, the Dockum Group of Late Triassic age, and the Pleistocene Gatuna Formation. Other deposits of Middle to late Quaternary age include the Mescalero caliche, spring deposits, and windblown sand. Dissolution of evaporites has been a major process in the formation of Nash Draw. Nash Draw formed before, and during, Gatuna time about 600,000 years ago. Near-surface dissolution of gypsum in the Rustler Formation is presently active and is responsible for numerous collapse sinks and related karst features.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6593836
- Report Number(s):
- USGS-OFR-81-31
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100* -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGY
MAPS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PILOT PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
SITE SELECTION
SOUTHWEST REGION
STRATIGRAPHY
USA