--> Controls on Lower Cretaceous Lithofacies Distribution and Sequence Architecture by Intraplate Uplift on the Sierra Grande Basement Structure in Northeastern New Mexico, by J. M. Holbrook and D. White; #90986 (1994).

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Abstract: Controls on Lower Cretaceous Lithofacies Distribution and Sequence Architecture by Intraplate Uplift on the Sierra Grande Basement Structure in Northeastern New Mexico

John M. Holbrook, D. White

Early Cretaceous uplift on the Sierra Grande basement structure of northeastern New Mexico resulted in low-relief (101m) topography that influenced Albian (latest Early Cretaceous) depositional systems. Albian strata resulting from these depositional systems comprise Glencairn, Mesa Rica, and Pajarito formations, and manifest structural influence as perturbations in regional lithofacies distribution and/or thickness trends.

The basal Long Canyon sandstone member of the Glencairn Formation represents filling of valleys above a sequence-bounding unconformity preceding Albian Kiowa-Skull Creek transgression. Long Canyon valleys are preferentially developed on the lower flanks of the Sierra Grande uplift, reflecting diversion of primary drainages away from higher topography on the Sierra Grande crest during pre-Kiowa Skull Creek exposure and incision. Transgressive and regressive offshore marine strata of the remaining Glencairn section thin over the Sierra Grande crest, reflecting non-deposition and/or erosion of marine strata above higher Sierra Grande topography.

Fluvial Mesa Rica Sandstone overlies a sequence-bounding unconformity above marine Glencairn strata, and represents deposition from predominantly straight, low-braiding-index streams near the maximum-regressive Kiowa-Skull Creek shoreline. Increased abundance of lateral-accretion and abandoned-channel-fill architectural elements in Mesa Rica Sandstone on the paleo-downstream flank of the Sierra Grande uplift infers an increase in channel sinuosity that is restricted to this location. Local increase in sinuosity of Mesa Rica channels occurred in response to increased stream gradients on the downstream flank of a topographically positive Sierra Grande uplift. Aggradational coastal-plain strata of the Pajarito Formation conformably overlie Mesa Rica Sandstone, and thin over the Sierra Gr nde uplift owing to nondeposition over higher Sierra Grande topography.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994