| Page(s) |
Topic |
| Part A |
Cover and Preface |
| A1 |
Preface, background to the project and contact details |
| A2 |
Contents of this Atlas |
| A3 |
Summary of principal conclusions
|
| Part B |
Context and Supporting Material |
| B1 |
Bathymetry of the northern and central Gulf of Mexico
protraction areas, key wells, discoveries or prospects and current fields
key geologic and tectonic features |
| B2 |
ÒNAMADÓ magnetic map of North America showing approximate area of oceanic crust |
| B3 |
Smith and Sandwell 1-minute free-air gravity anomaly map |
| B4 |
DNAG Bouguer gravity anomaly map
showing key geologic and tectonic features |
| B5 |
Smoothed, shaded depth to basement map (various sources) |
| B6 |
Total sediment thickness map |
| B7 |
Beta or crustal stretching factor map (assumes zero flexural strength) |
| B8 |
Mexican basins and structures map
based on the published maps of Mexico
showing key geologic, tectonic features derived from our model |
| B9 |
Timescale used in the course of this project (compares 1996, 2004 absolute ages) |
| B10 |
Timescale and seismic picks for Gulf seismic
showing revised reflector ages compared to published schemes
and showing sources of the data |
| B11 |
Stratigraphic chart for Texas and Mexico, NE Gulf of Mexico
showing revised ages, timescale, and key tectonic and stratigraphic events |
| B12 |
Legend for the paleogeographic maps showing the 30 lithologies environments distinguished |
| B12 |
Legend for the paleotectonic maps |
| B12 |
Notes on revised and new maps and figures |
| Part C |
Methodology and Major Themes |
| C1 |
Introduction and Outline of methodology
1) Restoring crustal blocks to their original shapes |
| C2 |
2) Equatorial Atlantic gravity and ocean crust age
reconstructions for 83 Ma and 110 Ma |
| C3 |
Equatorial Atlantic Reconstruction for 120 Ma (closure)
Estimated rates of ocean crust formation
Implications of the model for early heatflow |
| C4 |
3) Reconstruction of Western Pangea
Permo-Triassic collapse of the Ouachita Orogen
Onset of intercontinental extension |
| C5 |
Two state model for Gulf of Mexico evolution
Stage 1: Late Triassic to Oxfordian rifting
1) Asymmetric rifting model and basin modelling
Model for geometry of rifting on the Florida Platform |
| C6 |
Setting up a forward model for asymmetric rifting
Features of the Yucatan margin, Mexico |
| C7 |
2) Discussion of Concept of ÒContinent-Ocean Boundary ZoneÓ
Seismic example of ÒContinent-Ocean Boundary ZoneÓ
ÒSalt-chasmÓ geometry as oceanic crust breaks through |
| C8 |
Outline of key Stage 1 rifting and sedimentation processes
Crustal type map, and relationships to salt |
| C9 |
Cretaceous stratigraphy supports the asymmetric rift model
Heatflow map, comparison with model predictions
3) Stage 1 rifting and sedimentation |
| C10 |
4) Salt basin formation and cessation of salt-deposition
Relationship to asymmetric rift model
5) Maximum thickness of salt in the Gulf |
| C11 |
6) Relationship of salt to basement at its feather edge
ÒForward backstrip modelÓ and implications for basement depth
7) Basement fault styles around the margins of the deep Gulf |
| C12 |
Observed and theoretical structure of the Eastern Mexican margin
8) Stratigraphic cross-sections support other proposed Stage 1 structures |
| C13 |
Stage 2: Oxfordian to Valanginian Oceanic Spreading
Passive Margin Evolution
ÒSupra-salt plateauÓ concept, Oxfordian Òsalt chasmÓ
Red Sea analogue for the Oxfordian Gulf of Mexico |
| C14 |
Extent of early salt-cored shelf and slope
History of collapse of the supra-salt plateau
Comparison with superficially-similar, but non-viable, published models |
| C15 |
Salt flow towards the deep Gulf and relation to Woodbine setting
Prediction of Baha, Jack Paleogene clastics and the Wilcox breakaway |
| C16 |
The problem of thick salt and crust type under the Sigsbee Canopy |
| C17 |
Implications of the salt collapse model for source rock distribution
New ÒelevatorÓ model for maturation of perched Jurassic source rocks |
| C18 |
Predicted Late Jurassic-Cretaceous stratigraphic succession
Deformations within the supra-salt plateau |
| C19 |
Six-stage cross-section model for the creation of the Gulf of Mexico rifted margin:
Processes, Definitions, Perspectives, and Clarifications
Seaward dipping reflectors and detachment faulting offshore Florida |
| C20 |
Cross-section models for Gulf evolution prior to oceanic crust formation |
| C21 |
Cross-section models of oceanic crust emplacement, formation
Subsequent collapse of the Òsalt-chasmÓ
Summary of Stage 1 and Stage 2 plate motions and structures
Map of Stage 1 migration of Yucat‡n and proposed flow lines |
| C22 |
Map of Stage 2 migration of Yucat‡n and proposed flow lines
Map and perspective views of ridge-transform fabric in the Gulf |
| C23 |
Heatflow models: implications of the asymmetric rifting model
Predictions of heatflow at end of Stage 1 rifting
Heatflow through time in areas of oceanic crust
Estimated heatflow at time of Tithonian source rock deposition |
| C24 |
Prediction heatflow history variations near and away from oceanic crust
Age and origin of the Challenger Reflector in the deep Gulf
The Chicxulub impact and circum-Gulf marginal collapse
Ties to seismic under the Sigsbee salt and through the Baha well |
| C25 |
Challenger tie line showing some age constraints and regional extent
Relationships of seismic reflectors in the deep Gulf of Mexico. |
| Part D |
Descriptions of paleotectonic and paleogeographic maps. |
| D1 |
1) Initiation of Stage 1 rifting, ÒCOBÓ reconstruction 180 Ma
2) Early Stage 1 rifting, ÒBlake-SpurÓ reconstruction, 167 Ma.
|
| D2 |
3) Late Stage 1 rifting, Early salt basin, 161-162 Ma
Key issues relating to the salt basin.
|
| D3 |
More on salt, and its relationships |
| D4 |
4) ÒSalt fitÓ reconstruction, Early Oxfordian, 158 Ma
ÒBuried hillsÓ concept Oceanic ridge, transform structure
5) M25 Latest Oxfordian, Early Stage 2 spreading, 154 Ma |
| D5 |
6) M21, Latest Kimmeridgian-Earliest Tithonian, 148 Ma
|
| D6 |
7) M16, Late Berriasian, Ridge reorganizes in Gulf, 141 Ma
8) M12, Late Valanginian, Ocean crust formation ends, 138 Ma |
| D7 |
9) M10, Mid-Hauterivian, Early passive margin Reef trends, 133.5 Ma
10) M0, Early Aptian, onset of Caribbean-related tectonism, 124 Ma |
| D8 |
11) Late Albian, Woodbine Event Early salt tongues, 102 Ma
12) A34, Earliest Campanian, Onset of Mexican orogeny, 83.5 Ma
13) A31, Late Maastrichtian, Chicxulub impact & effects, 71 Ma |
| D9 |
Southern Mexico at 75 Ma, Migration of Chortis Block
14) A25, Latest Paleocene, Central Mexican ÒLaramideÓ orogeny |
| D10 |
How the salt cored shelf-slope feeds deep water Wilcox sands
Southern Mexico at 55 Ma
15) A21, Middle Eocene, Peak S. Mexican ÒLaramideÓ orogenesis |
| D11 |
Southern Mexico at 42 Ma
16) A13, Earliest Oligocene, linked extension-compression, 33 Ma
Southern Mexico at 25 Ma
17) A6, Early Miocene, Central Mexican extension, volcanism
Onset ÒChiapanecanÓ orogenesis, 19 Ma |
| D12 |
Southern Mexico at 15 Ma
A5, Earliest Late Miocene, Younger salt tectonics, 9 Ma
Southern Mexico at 10 Ma
Southern Mexico at 2-5 Ma |
| Part E |
Basin Genesis and events in the Mexican Basins. |
| E1 |
1) Huayacocotla and Huizachal Basins
2) Sabinas and Parras Basins
3) Tampico-Misantla Basin |
| E2 |
4) Tuxpan Platform ÒBasinÓ
5) Burgos Basin and Chiapas Foldbelt Basin |
| E3 |
6) Campeche and Salinas Basins |
| E4 |
7) Macuspana Basin and the Akal-Reforma ÒhorstÓ |
| E5 |
8) Comalcalco Basin
9) Offshore Tuxpan Platform Basin |
| E6 |
8) Veracruz Basin |
| E7 |
9) Greater Yucatan Platform. |
| Part F |
Regional scale paleotectonic maps
Palinspastic paleotectonic maps showing structural, basin evolution: |
| F1 |
Toarcian (180 Ma) |
| F2 |
Earliest Bathonian (167 Ma) |
| F3 |
Latest Callovian (ca. 161-162 Ma) |
| F4 |
Middle Oxfordian (158 Ma) |
| F5 |
Anomaly M25, Latest Oxfordian (154 Ma) |
| F6 |
Anomaly M21, Latest Kimmeridgian (148 Ma) |
| F7 |
Anomaly M16, Late Berriasian, (141 Ma) |
| F8 |
Anomaly M12, Late Valanginian (138 Ma) |
| F9 |
Anomaly M10, Mid-Hauterivian(133.5 Ma) |
| F10 |
Anomaly M0, Early Aptian (124 Ma) |
| F11 |
Late Albian (102 Ma) |
| F12 |
Anomaly A34, Earliest Campanian (84 Ma) |
| F13 |
Anomaly A31, Latest Campanian (71 Ma) |
| F14 |
Anomaly A25, Latest Paleocene (57 Ma) |
| F15 |
Anomaly A21, Middle Eocene(45 Ma) |
| F16 |
Anomaly A13, Earliest Oligocene (33 Ma) |
| F17 |
Anomaly A6, Early Miocene (19 Ma) |
| F18 |
Anomaly A5, Late Miocene (10 Ma). |
| Part F |
Regional scale paleogeographic maps
In addition to the 18 tectonic maps, we provide 10 paleogographic maps: |
| G4 |
Earliest Oxfordian facies (158 Ma basemap) |
| G5 |
Anomaly M25, Late Oxfordian facies (154 Ma basemap) |
| G6 |
Anomaly M21, Kimmeridgian facies (148 Ma basemap) |
| G7 |
Anomaly M16, Tithonian facies (141 Ma basemap) |
| G9 |
Anomaly M12, Valanginian (pre-Hosston) facies (134 Ma basemap) |
| G10 |
Anomaly M0, Aptian facies (124 Ma basemap) |
| G11 |
Albian facies (102 Ma basemap) |
| G12 |
Anomaly A34, Santonian facies (84 Ma basemap) |
| G13 |
Anomaly A31, Campanian-Maastrichtian facies (71 Ma basemap) |
| G14 |
Anomaly A25, Paleocene facies (57 Ma basemap) |
| Part H |
Gulf-focus paleotectonic maps
(18 Maps as in Part F) |
| Part I |
Gulf-focus paleogeographic maps
(10 Maps as in Part G) |
| Part J |
Appendices: |
| J1 |
Bibliography |