Tectonic setting and sandstone petrofacies of the Bisbee basin(USA–Mexico)

Abstract

The Late Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous Bisbee basin spanning the USA–Mexico border was part of the Border rift system, which extended into the continental block from the Gulf of Mexico in response to Cordilleran slab rollback. Rift initiation was marked by eruption of a bimodal mid-Jurassic volcanic assemblage succeeding Early to Middle Jurassic arc volcanism. The core of the Bisbee basin is delineated by Upper Jurassic marine strata of limited extent, and by more widespread syntectonic conglomerate of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age derived from intrabasinal fault blocks of synrift paleotopography. Subsequent thermotectonic subsidence of the rift belt induced Early Cretaceous marine and nonmarine sedimentation spreading from the basin core to its flanks, with peak Aptian–Albian transgression marked by deposition of platformal limestone. Late Cretaceous to Paleogene Laramide deformation disrupted the Bisbee deposystems. Bisbee sandstones include arkosic petrofacies derived from intrabasinal fault blocks, lithic (volcaniclastic) petrofacies derived principally from the coeval Alisitos arc to the southwest, subquartzose petrofacies derived mainly from the Mogollon paleohighland forming the northern rift shoulder, and quartzose petrofacies also derived from the rift shoulder. The joint association of disparate petrofacies reflects the unusual geotectonic setting of the Border rift belt.