Queen Formation

Queen Formation
Stratigraphic range:
TypeFormation
Unit ofArtesia Group
UnderliesSeven Rivers Formation
OverliesSan Andres Formation
Thickness500 feet (150 m)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
Otherdolomite, anhydrite
Location
Coordinates32°11′28″N 104°45′18″W / 32.191°N 104.755°W / 32.191; -104.755
RegionNew Mexico
CountryUnited States
Type section
Named forQueen Post Office
Named byBlanchard and Davis
Year defined1929
Queen Formation (the United States)
Queen Formation (New Mexico)

The Queen Formation is a geologic formation in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. It preserves fossils dating back to the late Guadalupian Epoch of the Permian period.[1][2]

Description

The formation consists of up to 500 feet (150 m)[3] of mostly sandstone, with some interbedded dolomite and anhydrite. It rests on the San Andres Formation, from which it is separated by an erosional surface showing karst features.[4] The Queen Formation is overlain by the Seven Rivers Formation. The Queen Formation is part of the Artesia Group, which is interpreted as a sequence of shelf rocks of the Capitan reef.[1][5]

History of investigation

The unit was first named as the Queen sandstone of the upper San Andres Formation by Grant Blanchard and Morgan Davis in 1929.[3] In 1937, W.B. Lang assigned the Seven Rivers Member to the (now abandoned) Chalk Bluff Formation.[6] The unit was promoted to formation rank and assigned to the Whitehorse Group by Ronald DeFord and Russell Lloyd in 1940.[7] The formation was assigned to the Artesia Group by D.B. Tait and coinvestigators in 1962.[1]

See also

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Footnotes

References

  • Blanchard, W. Grant; Davis, Morgan J. (1929). "Permian Stratigraphy and Structure of Parts of Southeastern New Mexico and Southwestern Texas". AAPG Bulletin. 13 (8): 957–995. doi:10.1306/3D93286E-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
  • DeFord, Ronald K.; Lloyd, E. Russell (1940). "West Texas-New Mexico Symposium: Part I Editorial Introduction". AAPG Bulletin. 24. doi:10.1306/3D933188-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
  • Kues, Barry S. (2006). "Geological studies of the Guadalupe Mountains area, New Mexico and West Texas, to 1928" (PDF). New Mexico Geological Society Field Conference Series. 57: 127–144. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  • Kues, B.S.; Giles, K.A. (2004). "The late Paleozoic Ancestral Rocky Mountain system in New Mexico". In Mack, G.H.; Giles, K.A. (eds.). The geology of New Mexico. A geologic history: New Mexico Geological Society Special Volume 11. pp. 95–136. ISBN 9781585460106.
  • Lang, W.B. (1937). "The Permian formations of the Pecos Valley of New Mexico and Texas". American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin. 21 (7): 833–898. doi:10.1306/3D932EDE-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
  • Tait, D.B.; Motts, W.S.; Spitler, M.E. (1962). "Artesia Group of New Mexico and West Texas". American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin. 46 (4): 504–517. doi:10.1306/BC74383B-16BE-11D7-8645000102C1865D.