Architectural Elements of Fan-Delta Complex in Pennsylvanian Taos Trough, New Mexico: ABSTRACT

Abstract

Identification of architectural elements within alluvial-fan and subaqueous fan-delta gravel units is fundamental to resolving depositional processes within fan-delta complexes of the Pennsylvanian Taos trough, New Mexico. Subaqueous fan-delta deposits consist of lenticular gravel-body complexes encased by black, basinal shales. Gravel-body complexes are composed of a series of stacked gravel lenses, each of which is enveloped by fifth-order bounding surfaces. The central portion of individual gravel lenses contains a channel complex. Channels are outlined by third- and fourth-order bounding surfaces and are infilled by high-density gravity flow deposits. The fringe of submarine gravel lenses consists of stacked, laterally continuous Bouma sequences separated by second-order bounding surfaces. Bouma sequences were deposited by dilute turbidity flows during evacuation of submarine channels. Subaqueous channel complexes within gravel lenses represent midfan channels, whereas the fringe of lenticular gravel lenses represent outer-fan lobes. Recognition of depositional processes and architectural elements of fan deltas in the Sandia Formation enables distinction between these and other types of coarse-grained deltas in the Taos trough. This, in turn, has implications for resolving evolution of the trough.