Demarcation of a Late Cretaceous(. ) thrust belt near Railroad Valley and Pine Valley in east-central Nevada

Conference · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7230214

Cameron, G J

Older-over-younger low-angle faults occur within a north-south-trending belt that includes the Pancake, Fish Creek, Diamond, and Carlin/Pinon Ranges in east-central Nevada. Collectively, these ranges form the western boundary of Nevada's only oil-producing basins, Railroad Valley and Pine Valley. These structures lie parallel to, but are east of and distinct from, the Roberts Mountain thrust. The faults involve eastern assemblage Paleozoic rocks in both upper and lower plates. The Chainman Shale is commonly the surface of decollement. A Late Cretaceous and possibly younger age is assigned to the faults, based on evidence that the Late Cretaceous Newark Canyon Formation is locally overridden by Paleozoic rocks in the Diamond and Pancake Ranges. The areal extent of this thrust belt was assessed using systematic lithostratigraphy from measured sections. This method was found useful and necessary owing to the disruptive influence of younger basin-and-range block faults on the earlier structures. Lithostratigraphic parameters used include formation thicknesses, color logs, grain-size logs, chert horizons, and quartz sandstone zones within Ordovician to Devonian rocks. It is reasoned that the boundaries of displaced blocks will show relatively sharp gradients of change in a number of lithostratigraphic parameters within the Paleozoic section.

• Research Organization: Cedar Strat, Ely, NV
• OSTI ID: 7230214
• Report Number(s): CONF-8609129-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 70:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DEVONIAN PERIOD
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NEVADA
NORTH AMERICA
ORDOVICIAN PERIOD
PALEOZOIC ERA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
USA