--> ABSTRACT: Tectono-Stratigraphic and Paleogeographic Evolution of Northeast Mexico, by R. K. Goldhammer; #91021 (2010)

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Tectono-Stratigraphic and Paleogeographic Evolution of Northeast Mexico

GOLDHAMMER, R. K.

The Northeast Mexico subregion incorporates the Sabinas, La Popa, Parras, and Burgos Basins in Northeast Mexico, South Texas (USA), the Sierra Madre Oriental foldbelt, and the Magascatzin, Tampico, Misantla, Veracruz, and Cordoba Basins to the south. The tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the region is dominated by passive margin development associated with the opening of the Gulf of Mexico, modulated by eustasy. A sequence-stratigraphic correlation framework has been constructed that places the evolution of individual basins within a subregional framework. The pre-Laramide Mesozoic stratigraphy of the region consists of five second-order (i.e., 10 to 100 m.y. duration) supersequences (SS): SS1- upper Bathonian to lower Kimmeridgian (158.5-144 mya), SS2- lower Kimmeridgian to Berriasian (144-128.5 mya), SS3-upper Valanginian to lower Aptian (128.5-112 mya), SS4- lower Aptian to upper Albian (112-98 mya), SS5- upper Albian to Santonian (98-84 mya). Supersequences are regionally correlative throughout Northeast(East Mexico, exhibiting systematic vertical stacking patterns of subordinate third-order sequences (1 to 10 m.y. duration) and component lateral/vertical facies and systems tracts. These eustatically driven, second-order sequences are fairly metronomic, with a consistent temporal duration of 14 m.y., and have sequence-bounding unconformities that generally lack significant erosion. Within this framework, paleogeographic maps have been constructed for 14 time slices from 158.5 mya to 10.2 mya. These maps capture the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the Northeast/East Mexico subregion and serve as a regional framework for synthesizing Mexican hydrocarbon systems. 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91021©1997 AAPG Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas.