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Capitan reef complex (Permian), Guadalupe Mountains, southwestern United States: a classic sedimentologic model in flux

Journal Article · · AAPG Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6594575
The Capitan reef complex of west Texas and New Mexico has been an important sedimentologic model since a reef origin was proposed for the Capitan Limestone in 1929. The Capitan's magnificent exposures in the Guadalupe Mountain area; its large scale; its variety of carbonate, sandstone, and evaporite facies; and its relationship to major petroleum resources of the Permian basin have made it a justly famous sedimentary geologic model for academic and industrial geologists alike. Since 1950, extensive research has yielded markedly contrasting sedimentologic interpretations of key features, such as the nature and origin of the Capital massive (reef wall); the back-reef pisolite, sandstone, and evaporite facies; the depositional profile of the shelf and shelf edge; the importance and magnitude of sea level fluctuations; and the role of submarine, vadose, and phreatic diagenesis.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison (USA)
OSTI ID:
6594575
Journal Information:
AAPG Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: AAPG Bull.; (United States) Vol. 71:11; ISSN AABUD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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