Cyclicity in the Middle Permian San Andres Formation, Palo Duro Basin, Texas Panhandle
The San Andres Formation is largely composed of cyclic sequences of carbonate, anhydrite, and halite. Using geophysical log data, the authors traced these cycles across the entire Palo Duro Basin; four oversized plates reproduce cross sections that document the correlations. Cores received from 10 Department of Energy stratigraphic test wells were studied, and at least one cored well was incorporated in each cross section for precise lithologic control. Core photographs, showing typical textures of evaporite rocks and associated facies, are reproduced in the text. The authors discuss depositional systems, propose extrabasinal correlations of the San Andres Formation cycles, document lateral facies relationships and variations in the style of cyclicity, and note structural influences on sedimentation in the formation. The authors conclude that the entire suite of evaporitic cyclic facies reflects predominantly shallow-water marine deposition in contrast to previously proposed sabkha-like models of deposition. Systematic changes in thickness and completeness of the cycles allow the authors to divide the San Andres into three informal genetic sequences. These sequences share a similar cyclic mode but are characterized by differences in tempo of cyclicity, reflecting changes in regional basin subsidence rate of frequency of sea-level change or both.
- OSTI ID:
- 7017789
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
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58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ANHYDRITE
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM SULFATES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
CROSS SECTIONS
DRILL CORES
EXPLORATORY WELLS
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
HALIDE MINERALS
HALITE
LEVELS
LITHOLOGY
MARINE SURVEYS
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALO DURO BASIN
PERMIAN BASIN
SEA LEVEL
SEDIMENTATION
SULFATE MINERALS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURVEYS
TEXAS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WELLS