Styles of Deformation in Permian Strata, Texas Panhandle

GC8404. Styles of Deformation in Permian Strata Texas Panhandle, by E. W. Collins. 32 p., 24 figs., 1984. ISSN: 0082-3309. Print.

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ABSTRACT
Permian strata in the Texas Panhandle exhibit a variety of deformation styles that are attributed to tectonic stresses as well as to collapse caused by evaporite dissolution. At Caprock Canyons State Park, deformation structures above salt dissolution zones include veins, faults, and folds. The geometry and distribution of the structures indicate that systematic regional joints older than the dissolution collapse have influenced salt dissolution. At Palo Duro Canyon State Park, subparallel cylindrical folds and minor reverse faults indicate east-northeast and west-northwest (075°to 255°) compression related to regional folding. Evaporite dissolution and subsequent collapse of strata have also deformed Permian strata and developed closed synclinal depressions, faults, and veins. Along the Canadian River valley in Potter County, Permian and Triassic strata are folded over fault-bounded basement highs as the result of either differential compaction or recurrent motion on basement faults. Synclinal depressions, clastic plugs, and clastic dikes caused by dissolution-induced collapse processes also occur throughout this area.

Keywords: Texas Panhandle, Permian, structure, fractures, folding, salt dissolution


Citation
Collins, E. W., 1984, Styles of Deformation in Permian Strata, Texas Panhandle: The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Geological Circular 84-4, 32 p.