Yates Formation
The Yates Formation is a geologic formation in southeast New Mexico and west Texas. It preserves fossils dating back to the late Guadalupian Age of the Permian period.[1][2]
| Yates Formation Stratigraphic range: Guadalupian | |
|---|---|
| Type | Formation |
| Unit of | Artesia Group |
| Underlies | Tansill Formation |
| Overlies | Seven Rivers Formation |
| Thickness | 266 feet (81 m) |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 32.40°N 104.29°W |
| Region | New Mexico |
| Country | United States |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Yates oil field |
| Named by | Gester and Hawley |
| Year defined | 1927 |
  Yates Formation (the United States)  Yates Formation (New Mexico) | |
Description
The formation consists of sandstone, siltstone, and anhydrite. The sandstone is fine to very fine grained and contains scattered large rounded and frosted quartz grains. The formation overlies the Seven Rivers Formation and underlies the Tansill Formation. Its total thickness is 266 feet (81 m).[2]
History of investigation
The unit was first identified in the subsurface at the Yates oil field of west Texas.[1] It was first traced to surface outcrops in the Carlsbad, New Mexico area in 1938 and assigned as a member of the (now abandoned) Whitehorse Formation.[3] Dickey raised the unit to formation rank in 1940, when the Whitehorse was raised to group rank.[4] The unit was reassigned to the Artesia Group in 1962.[2]
Footnotes
- Gester and Hawley 1927
- Tait et al. 1962
- DeFord et al. 1938
- Dickey 1940
References
- DeFord, R.K.; Riggs, G.D.; Willis, N.H. (1938). "Surface and subsurface formations, Eddy County, New Mexico". American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin. 22 (12): 1706–1707. doi:10.1306/3D933040-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
- Dickey, R.I. (1940). "Geologic Section from Fisher County Through Andrews County, Texas, to Eddy County, New Mexico". AAPG Bulletin. 24 (1): 37–51. doi:10.1306/3D93318E-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
- Gester, G.C.; Hawley, H.J. (1929). "Structure of typical American oil fields; Yates field, Pecos County, Texas". American Association of Petroleum Geologists. 2: 480–499.
- Tait, D.B.; Motts, W.S.; Spitler, M.E. (1962). "Artesia Group of New Mexico and West Texas". AAPG Bulletin. 46 (4): 504–518. doi:10.1306/BC74383B-16BE-11D7-8645000102C1865D.