The Texas Panhandle traditionally has been an important source of mineral resources, especially petroleum, and resources will continue to contribute heavily to the economy of the area. The seven cross sections of this report synthesize the subsurface geology of the region. They illustrate the genetic stratigraphic framework of the pre-evaporite, principally Pennsylvanian and Lower Permian, rocks in those parts of the Anadarko, Dalhart, Palo Duro, and northern Midland Basins that lie within the Texas Panhandle.
The Hueco Tanks geothermal area contains five known but now inactive hot wells (50° to 71°C). The area trends north-south along the east side of Tularosa-Hueco Bolson astride the Texas-New Mexico border approximately 40 km northeast of El Paso. Because of its proximity to El Paso, geothermal water in the Hueco Tanks area could be a significant resource. Hueco Bolson is an asymmetric graben. Greatest displacement along boundary faults is on the west side adjacent to the Franklin Mountains.
The third year of research was highlighted by the integration of regional basinal studies with growth histories for specific domes, studies of cap-rock diagenesis and salt deformation, preliminary studies of ground-water flow and geochemistry around Oakwood Dome, and preliminary studies of microseismicity in the Mount Enterprise fault zone.
The publication comprises 24 structural dip cross sections, spaced 15 to 20 mi apart along the Texas coast, and 4 structural strike cross sections. Dip sections extend from near the Wilcox outcrop to the coastline. Tops of formations were chosen by correlations with Wilcox, Vicksburg, and Frio stratigraphic cross sections constructed in previous geothermal investigations. Formations include upper Oligocene to Pleistocene (undifferentiated); Frio; Vicksburg-Jackson (undifferentiated); upper and lower Claiborne (upper Claiborne being the Yegua Formation); and upper, middle, and lower Wilcox.
Integrated study of the basin structure, tectonic history, physical stratigraphy, hydrogeology, geochemistry, geomorphology, natural resources, and rock physics of the Palo Duro and Dalhart Basins in the Texas Panhandle is part of a national evaluation of ancient salt basins as potential sites for isolation and management of nuclear wastes.