Dynamic growth of selected Paleozoic reef complexes
The sequential positioning of the compound biothermal facies of paleozoic reefs reflects the history of water movement (rise or fall) over the shelf on which the reef complex accumulated. Siliciclastic deposits are directly related to reef complexes. Reef complexes built on a constructional platform generally show progradation in response to increase water depth over the platform. At least one reef complex in the Sacramento Mountains is retrograde, having formed over a platform that is partly a destructional surface. Reefs are best characterized as progradational or retrogradational in preference to transgressional or regressional. The reef complex often shows several different growth stages separated by hiatuses, although the depositional breaks may appear to be minor. The complex may record tilting of the subreef platform. The reef complex is only a facet of the total sedimentary pattern of the depositional basin. A method is illustrated for determining the relative rate of construction (growth) of reef complexes.
- Research Organization:
- Yates Petroleum Corp., Artesia, NM
- OSTI ID:
- 7151492
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8604186-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 70:3; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Southwest Section convention, Ruidoso, NM, USA, 27 Apr 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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