Hypogene Processes Edwards Aquifer in South-Central Texas, a New Conceptual Model to Explain Aquifer Dynamics

Geary M. Schindel¹, Steven Johnson¹, and Calvin E. Alexander^2
1Aquifer Science, Edwards Aquifer Authority, San Antonio, MN
²Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

The Balcones Fault Zone Edwards Aquifer of south-central Texas is one of the most important karst aquifers in the United States and provides water to 1.7 million people and for critical habitat for endangered species.

The Edwards Aquifer extends 400 kilometers from Del Rio, east to San Antonio though Austin, and northeast to Bell County. The aquifer is from 10 to 60 kilometers wide and in places, more than 1,200 meters. The aquifer is contained within the Edwards Group limestone and associated units (Georgetown limestone). The Edwards and associated units were deposited in late Early Cretaceous time and are150 to more than 300 meters thick.

The Edwards limestone, since deposition, has undergone subaerial exposure, burial in the middle Cretaceous, faulting in the Miocene, uplift and erosion. Faulting is mainly northeast-southwest trending, down to the gulf, en echelon normal faulting.

Researchers have proposed epigene (near surface) karst processes, driven by circulating meteoric waters, formed the aquifer along paleokarst features. New interpretations suggest an additional process that contributed to the formation and structure of the Edwards Aquifer. Epigenetic karst theory assumes karst features are produced only during its downward or horizontal groundwater movement, but Klimchouk concludes that rising waters from depth are important agents of karst development. Regional flow systems, such as the Edwards Aquifer, terminate in springs where the groundwater returns to the surface. Karst processes, in general, and mixing corrosion specifically, can and do operate in the artesian zone of the aquifer.

Secondary permeabilities in carbonate fabrics, formed by upward transverse speleogenesis, is an important role in water and oil reservoir formation.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas