The Texas Coastal Zone is marked by diversity in geography, resources, climate, and industry.
The San Angelo Formation is a mid-Permian sandstone and mudstone sequence about 100 feet thick that crops out in North Texas and dips westward into the Midland Basin; it is composed of two superposed members: the basal Duncan Sandstone Member and the overlying Flowerpot Mudstone Member.
Lignite or low-rank coal is a major energy resource in Texas, providing energy since 1850. Prior to 1930, and the advent of abundant natural gas and oil, lignite was a major energy source.
Lower Cretaceous shallow-water carbonates accumulated on a broad shelf which completely encircled the Gulf of Mexico. Biogenic growth climaxed along the basinward edge, or shelf margin, where a complex of reefs, banks, bars, and islands developed.
