Permian strata in the Palo Duro Basin consist of multicyclic sequences of carbonate, nodular and laminated anhydrite, bedded halite, chaotic mudstone-halite, and terrigenous clastic sediments.

This cross section set comprises 14 dip (E-W) sections and 9 strike (N-S) stratigraphic cross sections (with text), correlating upper Pennsylvanian (Virgilian) and lower Permian (Wolfcampian) strata throughout the subsurface in all or parts of 28 counties of North-Central Texas.

Cores from deep stratigraphic test wells provide an excellent basis for determination of source-rock quality and thermal maturity of potential hydrocarbon source rocks in the Palo Duro Basin. Total organic carbon (TOC) content in Pennsylvanian and Wolfcampian rocks is highest in basinal shales.

The San Andres Formation in the Palo Duro Basin is a middle Permian carbonate-evaporite sequence situated between two red-bed units, the underlying Glorieta and the overlying undifferentiated Queen-Grayburg sequences.

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 Salado-Tansill and Alibates Formations are the youngest evaporite and carbonate facies within a thick Permian sequence of evaporites, carbonates, and red beds in the Texas Panhandle.

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.

Regional cross sections of Middle and Upper Permian rocks in the Texas Panhandle illustrate the lithology, depositional systems, and structure of these salt-bearing strata.

The Red Cave Formation (Permian, Leonard Series) in the Texas Panhandle consists of cyclic, red-bed clastic and carbonate-evaporite members that reflect deposition in extensive coastal sabkhas.