Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs
Publication Date
Spring 5-29-1962
Abstract
The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine the presence or absence of pre-Pennsylvanian strata in the central part of the Sandia Mountains, along their western scarp. No strata older than Pennsylvanian were found by the author in this area.
The strata present in the Sandia Rim include the upper clastic member of the Sandia formation and part of the lower gray limestone member of the Madera limestone, both of Pennsylvanian age.
The Sandia formation is a predominantly clastic unit of sandstone, shale, limestone, and conglomerate which rests unconformably on a profound erosion surface formed on the Precambrian Sandia granite. The formation ranges in thickness from about 175 to 300 feet. The sediments were deposited in a transitional to epineritic environment under unstable to stable self conditions. A micro-paleontologic and paleontologic study of this formation indicates that the lowermost exposed units are not older than Pennsylvanian.
Degree Name
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
First Committee Member (Chair)
Stuart Alvord Northrop
Second Committee Member
Vincent Cooper Kelley
Third Committee Member
Roger Yates Anderson
Language
English
Keywords
Sandia Mountains, Pre-Pennsylvanian Strata, Sandia Formation
Document Type
Thesis
Recommended Citation
Catacosinos, Paul Anthony. "Stratigraphy and Paleontology of the Pennsylvanian Rocks of the Rim of the Sandia Mountains, Sandoval and Bernalillo Counties, New Mexico." (1962). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/eps_etds/127
Geologic map, Sandia Mountains, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, NM
Catacosinos-fig-8.jpg (7336 kB)
Columnar sections, Sandia and Madera formations
