Holder Formation
The Holder Formation is a geologic formation in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. It preserves fossils dating back to the late Pennsylvanian.[1]
| Holder Formation Stratigraphic range: Gzhelian | |
|---|---|
| Type | Formation |
| Underlies | Bursum Formation |
| Overlies | Beeman Formation |
| Thickness | 850 ft (260 m) |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Limestone |
| Other | Shale |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 32.822°N 105.874°W |
| Region | New Mexico |
| Country | United States |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Holder Ridge |
| Named by | L.C. Pray |
| Year defined | 1954 |
  Holder Formation (the United States)  Holder Formation (New Mexico) | |
Description
The Holder Formation consists of limestone, red and gray calcareous shale, sandstone, and conglomerate. The maximum thickness is 850 ft (260 m).[1] The formation overlies the Beeman Formation[1] and is overlain by the Laborcita Formation.[2]
The formation is interpreted as a shallow-shelf marine formation of Virgilian (latest Pennsylvanian) age[3] during a global ice age.[4]
Fossils
Bioherms are present at the base of the formation.[1] These are up to 50–75 feet (15–23 meters) thick.[3] They are composed of uncalcified cup-shaped phylloid algae surrounded by masses of Beresellid algae.[4]
History of investigation
The unit was first named by Pray in 1954[1] and a type section was designated in 1959.[5] Pray originally assigned the formation to the Magdalena Group, but the Magdalena Group has subsequently been abandoned.[3][2]
Footnotes
- Pray 1954
- Kues et al. 2004
- Pray 1961
- Choh and Kirkland 2008
- Pray 1959
References
- Choh, Suk-Joo; Kirkland, Brenda L. (1 September 2008). "Sedimentologic role ofin situ Beresellid algal colonies, Holder Formation (Upper Pennsylvanian), New Mexico, U.S.A.". Carbonates and Evaporites. 23 (2): 79–88. doi:10.1007/BF03176154.
- 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.
- Pray, L.C. (1954). "Outline of the stratigraphy and structure of the Sacramento Mountain escarpment [Otero County, New Mexico]" (PDF). New Mexico Geological Society Field Conference Guidebook. 5: 92–107. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- Pray, L.C., 1959, "Stratigraphic and structural features of the Sacramento Mountain Escarpment, New Mexico", IN Pray, L.C., leader, Guidebook for joint field conference in the Sacramento Mountains of Otero County, New Mexico: Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Permian Basin Section, Field Trip Guidebook, Joint field conference of Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Permian Basin Section, and Roswell Geological Society, Alamogordo, NM, p. 86-130.
- Pray, L.C. (1961). "Geology of the Sacramento Mountains Escarpment, Otero County, New Mexico". New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources Bulletin. 35. Retrieved 30 July 2020.