San Juan basin faulting - More than meets eye

Conference · Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:5570646

Huffman, Jr, A C; Taylor, D J ^[1]

---

1. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (USA)

Interpretation of approximately 1,000 mi of seismic lines throughout the San Juan basin, New Mexico, has revealed a rectilinear pattern of high-angle faults with dominant trends of N60-70{degree}W and N30-40{degree}E. Vertical fault separation in the plane of section is commonly 150-250 ft, measured at the top of the basement. Strike-slip movement on many faults is also indicated by the map pattern, but no reliable measurements have yet been made. The authors analysis of the movement history of several faults indicates three significant episodes of movement: Pennsylvanian to Permian, Jurassic to Cretaceous, and early to middle Tertiary. Sense of movement on many of the faults varied episodically so that the present basement offset is actually cumulative offset representing all previous periods of movement. Above Permian strata, actual offset on most faults is not detectable on seismic sections; however, drape and measurable differences in thickness across fault zones are commonly exhibited by Mesozoic rocks.

• OSTI ID: 5570646
• Report Number(s): CONF-8910195-; CODEN: AABUD
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Vol. 73:9; Conference: AAPG Rocky Mountain Section meeting, Albuquerque, NM (USA), 1-4 Oct 1989; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
NEW MEXICO
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
TECTONICS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
JURASSIC PERIOD
PERMIAN PERIOD
SEISMIC SURVEYS
TERTIARY PERIOD
CENOZOIC ERA
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MESOZOIC ERA
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOZOIC ERA
SURVEYS
USA
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration