CENOZOIC EARATHEM
NEOGENE
13
16 19
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpy
Qpi
Qpih
Qpi
18
Qpi
Qpi
Qpih
Qpih
Qpi
py
Q
Qpi
af
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpif
Qpy
Qpil
Qpi
&ma
14
Qpih
Qpi
33°27'30"N
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
y
Qp
Qpi Qpi
Qpi
3700000
Qpil
Qpil
Qpi
Qa
Qag
Qpi
Qpi
Qgs
Qgmm
Qgmm
4
Qgs
Qpil
C
Qpifs
Qpi
Qpil
Qgmm
43
Qgs
Qpi
Qgs
Qgs
Qgs
38
Qgs
Qgmm
Qpih
35
Qpil
Qpil
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
20 21
Qpyd
Qpil
3697000
Qpil
Qpil
Qpil
Qpi
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpy
Qpil
Qpil
Qpih
Qpil
m
Qg
Qag
Qgmm
C'
Qgmm
Qag
25
3697 000
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qag
Qgmm
Qag
Qgmm
Qag
Qag
Qgmm
Qag
Qgs
Qgs
Piedmont, distal foot-slope apron, fine-grained alluvial deposits (Holocene) — Unconsolidated light brown, light reddish brown, reddish brown and gray-brown sand,
silt, and clay with local concentrations of pebbles and eolian loess. Decrease in slope
and fewer channels from Qpy upslope to Qa downslope.
Piedmont alluvial deposits, undivided intermediate levels (Historic to middle Pleistocene) —
Light reddish brown (5YR 6/4 and other colors), poorly to moderately sorted, unconsolidated
fine- to coarse-grained sand and gravel. Medial and proximal deposits contain some boulders.
The tops of these deposits are extensive, nearly planar surfaces that are abandoned by inset channels and floodplains of Qpy. Sheet-wash and eolian processes may still take place. Range in ages
shown by range in soil horizon development from none to stage I pedogenic calcium carbonate.
Thicknesses vary from 3-4 m near apexes to less than 1 m (often less than 0.3 m as they commonly grade to floodplain levels) at their distal margins.
Qgmm
Qgs
3696000
Qgmm
Qpif
Qpif
28
Qpil
Qag
Qpy
Qag
Qgmm
Qag
Artesia Group: Grayburg, Queen, Seven Rivers, Yates and Tansill formations, undivided (Middle
Permian [Guadalupian]) —Unit not exposed in quadrangle; in cross section only. Consists of red
to orange to light gray, fine- to very fine-grained sandstone, siltstone, gray limestone, and
evaporititic gypsum. The Artesia Group is estimated to be 0 to 100 m thick in the northern Tularosa basin and shown as 100 m thick in cross section.
Mound Springs 7.5-min Quadrangle
Bedrock Joint Orientations
n = 330
Yeso Group: Torres, Canas, and Joyita formations undivided (Lower Permian [Leonardian]) —
Base of unit (Bachman's upper Yeso Formation) was mapped in the southern Oscura Mountains
at the transition from pale red siliciclastic beds below to dolomitic limestone, yellowish green
shale, and gypsum above (see Bachman, 1968). This transition is not exposed on the Mound
Springs quadrangle. The unit is present at the surface as a north-south ridge in the northwestern
part of the map area, where it contains poorly exposed bedded gray gypsum and yellowish gray
siltstone, and resistant, medium-bedded light gray limestone and yellowish brown sandstone interbeds. Estimated by Bachman (1968) to be 435 m thick. To northeast in the subsurface the Torres formation is as much as 1067 m thick and contains salt as well as anhydrite (Broadhead and
Jones, 2004). The overlying Canas and Joyita formations are about 100 m thick.
N
Qpil
Yeso Group, Arroyo de Alamillo Formation (Lower Permian [Leonardian]) — Previously miscorrelated to Mesita Blanca Sandstone but recently described as the Arroyo de Alamillo Formation by Lucas and others (2006). Base of formation mapped at base of meter-scale ledges of ripple-crosslaminated sandstone or local conglomeratic sandstones with colors distinctly different
(2.5 YR 4/2; 5/2; 5/6) from underlying Abo Formation. Overlying beds composed of thinbedded, fine-grained sandstone, pebble conglomerate, and siltstone. Trace fossils common. Top
of formation is not exposed in the map area. Weathers weak red (10 R 5/3), with darker weak red
(2.5 YR 4/2 to 5/3) mudstone with mudcracks. Estimated to be 50 m thick in the southern Oscura
Mountains. Exposed in northwestern and north-central part of quadrangle on east side of Red
Hill.
W
E
5%
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgs
Qgmm
Qgmm
15%
Abo Formation (Lower Permian [Wolfcampian]) — Base of unit mapped at poorly exposed
change from brownish maroon of Bursum Formation to redder (2.5 YR 5/4; 4/3) sandstone and
mudstone typical of Abo Formation farther north in central New Mexico. Unit is more mature
(less arkosic) than underlying beds in the Bursum Formation, and consists largely of a basal sequence of poorly exposed mudstone, grading up to fine-grained sandstone and mudstone at the
top. Sandstone and conglomerate units are commonly lenticular in distinct channels. Unlike Abo
Formation farther north, minor thin limestone beds and limestone-clast conglomerates are present
throughout. Limestones do not have recognizable macrofossils, and some appear to have been
calcareous soils. A distinctive bed of red, ripple-crosslaminated fine-grained sandstone containing pods and stringers of similarly crosslaminated dolomitic calcarenite is present near the top of
the Abo Formation in the area. In general, unit weathers red and pale reddish brown with local
white and pale green oxidation-reduction spots. Estimated to be about 41 m thick on Red Hill.
feet
5000
Qgmm
QTp
S
Qag
4000
Qgmm
Qss
Qa
Qss
33°22'30"N
Qa
Qag
Qag
˛b
Qa
Qa
Qa Qgmm
Qa
Qag
Qa
Qgmm
Qgmm
375000
376000
106°22'30"W
377000
378000
379000
380000
106°20'0"W
106°17'30"W
Base map from U.S. Geological Survey 1982, from photographs taken 1972, field checked in 1975, edited in 1982.
1927 North American datum, UTM projection -- zone 13N
1000-meter Universal Transverse Mercator grid, zone 13, shown in red
1:24,000
1
BULL
GAP SW
NEW MEXICO
Qgmm
Qgmm
0.5
1000
0
1
0
1000
2000
3000
1 MILE
4000
5000
6000
381000
382000
Magnetic Declination
December, 2006
9º 24' East
At Map Center
0.5
0
383000
Digital Cartography produced by David Love, Lewis Gillard, and Leo Gabaldon, NMBG&MR
2000
384000
˛b
Pyt
Pa
Pya
˛b
˛ma
˛mg
˛s
ÇO
XY
S ea L evel 0
Geologic map of the Mound Springs
quadrangle, Lincoln, Sierra, Socorro,
and Otero Counties, New Mexico.
Pyt
feet
5000
QTp
Pa
Psa
˛ma
Pag
Kd
ˇm
4000
Pg
Pyt
˛mg
˛s
ÇO
˛mg
˛s
ÇO
1000
106°15'0"W
3000
Pya
2000
Pa
Pb
XY
1000
˛ma
XY
0S L
˛mg
–1 000
–1 000
7000 FEET
April, 2007
1 KILOMETER
by
1
David Love , Bruce Allen 1, and Robert Myers 2
CONTOUR INTERVAL 10 FEET
NATIONAL GEODETIC VERTICAL DATUM OF 1929
1
After this map has undergone scientific peer review, editing, and final cartographic
production adhering to bureau map standards, it will be released in our Geologic Map
(GM) series. This final version will receive a new GM number and will supercede
this preliminary open-file geologic map.
Pyt
Pya
˛ma
33°22'30"N
THREE
RIVERS NW
This draft geologic map is preliminary and will undergo revision. It was produced
from either scans of hand-drafted originals or from digitally drafted original maps
and figures using a wide variety of software, and is currently in cartographic production.
It is being distributed in this draft form as part of the bureau's Open-file map series
(OFGM), due to high demand for current geologic map data in these areas where
STATEMAP quadrangles are located, and it is the bureau's policy to disseminate
geologic data to the public as soon as possible.
Pg
IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC
3000
D
DRAFT
Pya
Qgmm
QUADRANGLE LOCATION
ˇm
Triassic
Silurian, Devonian, Mississippian missing
QTp
3694 000
THREE
RIVERS SW
Jurassic
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qag
CAPITOL
PEAK SE
Kd
Cretaceous
Qa
Qgmm
Qgmk
3694000
SHEEP
MOUNTAIN
Paleocene
Pa
Qa
MOUND
Mound
SPRINGS
Springs
Eocene
Qag
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qag
Qgmm
Qag
CAPITOL
PEAK
Ti
Oligocene
3695 000
Qgs
Qgmm
Qag
MOCKINGBIRD
GAP SE
Early
Qa
Qgmm
Qgmm
MOCKINGBIRD
GAP
Middle
Qgmm
Qgmm
374000
IGNEOUS
Qgmm
Qgmm
373000
Late
10%
Qgmk
Qgmm
Qpil
372000
Peterson, C., and Roy, M., 2005, Gravity and Flexure Models of the
San Luis, Albuquerque, and Tularosa basins in the Rio Grande Rift,
New Mexico and Southern Colorado: New Mexico Geologic Society,
56th Field Conference, Guidebook, p. 105-114.
Pag
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpyd
3695000
Qgs
Meinzer, O.E., and Hare, R.F., 1915, Geology and water resources of
Tularosa Basin, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply
Paper 343, 317 p.
Metamorphic and intrusive rocks (Upper Proterozoic) —Unit not exposed in quadrangle; in cross
section only. Consists of gray and pink granite, granite gneiss, and dark greenish gray diorite.
Exposed in major uplifts of Oscura, northern San Andres Mountains and Mockingbird Hills.
Found as cobble-to-boulder-sized inclusions in Paleogene diabase dikes in quadrangle, as clasts
in Bursum Formation, and as clasts in Quaternary piedmont deposits.
3696 000
Qpil
Lucas, S.G., Krainer, K., and Colpitts, R.M., Jr., 2006, Abo-Yeso
(Lower Permian) stratigraphy in central New Mexico: New Mexico
Museum of Natural History & Science, Bulletin 31, p. 101-117.
Psa
Qa
27
Cambrian and Ordovician formations, undivided (Upper Cambrian to Middle Ordovician) —
Units not exposed in quadrangle; in cross section only. Consists of dark brown to gray calcareous
sandstone of Bliss Formation; olive to gray sandy dolomite of El Paso Dolomite; and gray crystalline dolomite and interbeds of gray marine shale of Upham Dolomite member of the Montoya
Dolomite (see Bachman, 1968). Composite thickness in cross section is about 100 m thick in the
southern Oscura Mountains.
SEDIMENTARY
Glorieta Formation (Lower Permian [Leonardian]) —Unit not exposed in quadrangle; projected
in cross section only. Consists of thick-bedded, light gray to yellowish fine sandstone with interbeds of gray marine limestone. It commonly interfingers with the overlying San Andres Formation and resembles sandstone in the underlying Yeso Group. The Glorieta Formation is estimated
to be about 30 m thick in the southern Oscura Mountains, but it thins to the south and may range
from 0 to 100 m thick according to Broadhead and Jones (2004).
Qpih
Qpil
Dakota Formation (Upper Cretaceous [Cenomanian]) —Unit not exposed in quadrangle; in cross
section only. Consists of white, pale gray, and yellow cross-bedded coarse-grained sandstone and
conglomeratic sandstone deposited in fluvial and marine environments. Unit is 55 m thick east of
Mound Springs quadrangle (Arkell, 1986).
Pg
Pa
Qpi
XY
San Andres Formation (Lower Permian [Leonardian-Guadalupian]) —Unit not exposed in quadrangle; in cross section only. Consists of gray marine limestone, interbeds of gray marine shale,
evaporitic gypsum, and beds of light gray to yellowish fine sandstone. Limestone units are planar
over several km and exhibit decimeter scales of cyclic bedding. The San Andres Formation is
shown to be 213 m thick in the cross section, but ranges from 140 to 250 m thick in the Chupadera Mesa area (Broadhead and Jones, 2004).
Pya
Qgmm
Qgmm
26
Qgmm
Qgs
Qgmm
22
Qgs
m
Qgmm
Qpih
Qpih
Qpif
24
Qgs
Qgmm
Qag
Qgmm
29
31
Qgmm
Qag
Qag
Qgmm
Qpi
Qpil
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qag
Qpil
Qgmm
Qgs
Qpyd
_O
PROTEROZOIC ERATHEM
Psa
Alluvium and saline-spring-affected deposits (Holocene to upper Pleistocene) — Unconsolidated
to partially consolidated, light brown to gray and greenish gray, structureless to crudely bedded
sand, silt, and clay cemented with gypsum and other evaporites associated with shallow groundwater adjacent to and northwest of Salt Creek.
Qpy Piedmont stream channel and floodplain alluvium (Historic and Holocene) — Unconsolidated
light brown, light reddish brown, reddish brown and gray-brown sand, silt, and clay with local
concentrations of pebble to boulder gravel in bars and riffles in proximal to medial alluvial-apron
landscape positions. Pebbles are subangular to rounded with more durable siliciclastic types farther from mountain slopes, and locally-derived sandstones, limestones, and igneous rocks closer
to mountain fronts. Color and composition of the sandy and finer alluvium depends on sources
upslope. For example, sediments derived from the Bursum Formation pediment commonly are
maroon pebbly sand and silt. Pedogenic calcium carbonate accumulation reflecting soil development locally reaches Stage I. The unit commonly buries older layers on the distal piedmont
slope, but is inset against older piedmont alluvial units in the proximal and medial piedmont.
Discontinuous arroyo channels dissect the piedmont alluvium locally. Thickness estimated to be
less than 10 m.
Qgmm
37
30
Qgs
Qgs
Qgm
m
Qag
Qpil
Qpih
Qgmm
Qgmm
34
000
3698
33°25'0"N
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpil
Qgmm
Qgmm
36
Qpil
Qpih
Qgmm
Qgs
33
Qpil
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpi
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qag
40
19
Qpih
Qpih
Qag
39
41
Qgmm
13
Qgmm
18
Qpil
Qag
Qgmm
Qgmm
16
17
Qpi
Qag
12
Qgs
Pag
3699 000
11
32
15
Qpil
Qpi
33°25'0"N
Qpil
Qgmm
Lucas, S.G., 1991, Triassic stratigraphy, paleontology, and correlation, south-central New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society,
42nd Field Conference, Guidebook, p. 243-259.
PERMIAN
Pyt
Qa
Qag
Kues, B.S., 2001, The Pennsylvanian System in New Mexico: overview with suggestions for revisions of stratigraphic nomenclature:
New Mexico Geology, v. 23, p. 103-122.
Sandia Formation (Lower Pennsylvanian [Atokan]) —Unit not exposed in quadrangle; in cross
section only. Consists of gray, brown, and pink conglomeratic coarse sandstone, gray micaceous
shale, and gray and brown fossiliferous marine limestone. It is estimated to be 76-128 m thick in
the southern Oscura Mountains.
PALEOZOIC ERATHEM
Piedmont alluvial deposits
Qgmm
10
9
Broadhead, R.F., and Jones, G., 2004, Oil, natural gas, and helium
potential of the Chupadera Mesa area, Lincoln and Socorro Counties,
New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Open-file Report 478, 95 p., CD-ROM.
Trm Moenkopi Formation (Middle Triassic [Anisian]) —Unit not exposed in quadrangle; in cross
section only. Consists of grayish red to maroon, poorly sorted, cross-bedded micaceous
litharenites, mudstones, and intraformational conglomerates. The Moenkopi Formation is 91 m
thick at Bull Gap east of Mound Springs quadrangle (Lucas, 1991).
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qag
8
Qgs
Qpil
Qpi
Qpih
Qgmm
Qgs
Qpil
Qss
D'
Bachman, G. O., 1968, Geology of the Mockingbird Gap quadrangle,
Lincoln and Socorro Counties, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey, Professional Paper 594-J, 43 p.
TRIASSIC
Karst features developed in eastern megamound, and adjacent areas (Holocene) —
Consolidated light brown to gray to white gypsum deposits in the immediate vicinity
of sinkholes that are up to 7 m deep and 100 m across, oriented along NW and two
parallel NE trends and locally in N-S trends. The floors of several of the sinkholes
contain vertical to sub-horizontal dissolution fractures and caves of unknown extent.
Observations following an intense rainfall event indicate that large quantities of surface runoff flowing into the sinkholes disappears immediately into these subterranean
passages. Other sinkholes have become plugged with eolian loess and alluvium and
some are nearly filled.
Qgmm
42
Kd
Arkell, B.W., 1986, Stratigraphy of western part of Sierra Blanca
Basin, in J.L. Ahlen and M.E. Hansen, eds., Southwest Section of
AAPG Transactions and Guidebook of 1986 Convention, Ruidoso,
New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources,
Socorro, p. 73-76.
CAMBRIAN AND ORDOVICIAN
Diabase dikes (probably upper Oligocene) — Dark gray to greenish gray mafic dikes exhibiting
diabasic texture of plagioclase and augite. Dikes follow east-west vertical faults and fractures
developed in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. Dikes and wall rocks of Bursum Formation have minor copper oxide and copper carbonate (malachite) mineralization revealed in numerous prospect
pits. Dikes range from less than 1 to 7 m wide.
Qgmm
7
Qgs
Qgs
Qpih
Qpi
Qgs
6
Qag
Qgs
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpih
Qgmm
lPs
CRETACEOUS
Qgmm
Qa
Qpi
3700 000
Qgmm
Qgmm
14
Qpi
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qa
Qpi
Qpil
Qgmm
3
Qa
Qpi
Qpil
Qgmm
2
Qpil
Qpy
Qpi
Qpy
Qgmm
Qgmm
5
Qpi
3701 000
Qgmk
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpi
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qgmm
Piedmont and Alluvial-fan deposits of bolson fill (Neogene) —In subsurface cross
section only, south of range-bounding fault. Light reddish brown (5YR 6/4), unconsolidated sand, mud, and gravel to consolidated sandstone, mudstone and conglomerate. Pebbles consist of subangular to subrounded limestone, granitic and metamorphic, and red sandstone rock types. According to modeled gravity profile across
southern Oscura Mountains (Peterson and Roy, 2005) piedmont and alluvial fan deposits of northern Tularosa basin may be at least 2.3 km thick.
MESOZOIC ERATHEM
Qgmm Gypsum megamounds and associated, down-gradient gypsum spring deposits (Holocene? to
upper Pleistocene) — Consolidated light brown to gray to white gypsum deposits forming extensive upland areas above alluviated drainages, and associated, generally thick, distal accumulations. Uppermost ~1 m is generally a consolidated gypsum crust broken into sub-meter columnar
polygons, further broken into cobbles and sub-horizontal plates 2-5 cm thick at the surface. In
some areas the indurated surface crust is underlain by up to several decimeters of relatively
loose, powdery gypsum silt and sand. Loess and thin alluvium locally covers the crust. Beneath
the surface where exposed in artificial excavations and in sinkholes are crudely bedded semiconsolidated and consolidated gypsum layers. Estimated to be as much as 14 m thick.
Qgmm
1
Qpil
Qpil
Qgmm
Qgmm
Ti
Gypsum spring deposits as spring mounds (Holocene to upper Pleistocene?) —Well to semiconsolidated, conical to domal, white (N9), gray (10 YR 8/2), to light tan (10 YR 8/3) gypsum
deposits surrounding central spring-orifice craters. Eolian siliceous-sediment accumulations and
finely disseminated organic matter form a minor component of some mounds, although the surfaces of a few mounds contain significant amounts of eolian silt and sand. Gypsum precipitates
generally consist of scattered, sand-sized lenticular grains set in a cryptocrystalline matrix, and
may contain up to several weight percent carbonate minerals. Spring mounds range from less
than 1 to more than 6 m high and from 12 to more than 100 m in diameter. Inactive craters are
nearly filled with pale brown fine sand, silt, and clay deposited as loess and extensively burrowed by small mammals. Crater rims and upper slopes of mounds commonly are unburrowed
consolidated gypsum crusts underlain by rock gypsum. Lower slopes commonly have discontinuous eolian and alluvial cover. Subsurface deposits of active spring mounds are moist beneath
gypsophilous vegetation and powdery evaporite efflorescence. Gypsum precipitates on the substrate of active pools are largely silt- and fine-sand-sized lenticular and hemi-bipyramidal crystals. Consolidated gypsum commonly is broken into sub-meter columnar polygons with vertical
and anastomosing fractures filled with banded gypsum and minor calcium carbonate. Iron and
manganese staining of consolidated gypsum is locally apparent. Deposits overlie valley floor
alluvium and/or older gypsum deposits. Spring mound numbers 1 through 29 are from Meinzer
and Hare (1915). Mounds 1 through 43 located using differential Global Positioning System
techniques.
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qgmm
Qa
Qgs
Qgmm
Qag
Qpil
Qpi
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qgs
Qgs
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qgmm
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
3698000
Qgmm
Qpi
Qpi
Qpif
3699000
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpil
Qpil
3702 000
Qgmm
Qag
Qgmm
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
B'
Qpil
Qpi
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qag
Qgmm
Qpy
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpil
Qag
Qpi
Qgmm
Qgmm
40
Qpi
Qpil
Qpih
Qpil
Qag
Qpil
33°27'30"N
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpil
Qpi
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpi
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpy
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpy
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
3703 000
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
35
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
3701000
Qpil
Q
pi
Qpi
Qpi
39
i
Qp
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Ti
Qpi
Qpi
Qgmm
&b
49
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
&b
Qpi
Qpy
Qpy
Qpi
44
Qpi
Qpil
16
Qpi
43
3702000
Qpif
Ti
Qpil
Qpy
Qpi
&b
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpy
Qpy
Qpi
Qpi
17
Qpil
Qpi
&b
12
Qpih
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
32
45
37
Qpy
Qpif
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
&b
13
Qpy
Qpi
12
Qpil
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
8
Spring-related deposits
Qpi
&b
&b
8
38
20
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
18
&b
15
Qpif
14
Qpi
Qpy
25
Ti
3703000
Qpi
Qpy
18
QTp
Eolian sand (Holocene to uppermost Pleistocene) — Unconsolidated to very poorly consolidated,
moderately to well sorted, very pale brown (10 YR 7/3) sand. Forms extensive sheets and low
dunes along the northeast sides of drainages. Common as coppice dunes beneath mesquite
(Prosopis glandulosa) thickets. Deposits range from less than 1 m to about 3 m thick.
3704 000
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpi
8
Qpi
Qpif
Qpih
Qpil
Qpi
14
Qgmm
Qgmm
Qpi
Colluvium (Holocene to uppermost Pleistocene) — Unconsolidated to very poorly consolidated,
angular blocks of sandstone and minor limestone resting on slopes below bedrock ledges. Colors
similar to underlying units and blocks. Matrix includes mudstone and rare pedogenic gypsum
crust. Deposits range from less than 1 m to about 3 m thick.
References Cited
lPmg Madera Group, Gray Mesa Formation (Middle Pennsylvanian [Atokan-Desmoinesian]) —Unit
not exposed in quadrangle; in cross section only. Consists of gray marine limestone and interbeds
of gray marine shale. Limestone units are planar over several km and exhibit several scales of
cyclic bedding. The Gray Mesa Formation is estimated to be 124-140 m thick in the southern
Oscura Mountains.
PALEOGENE
Qgs
44
32
5
&b
23
Qpi
&b
6
Qpy
Qpif
11
Qpy
6
16
23
Qpif
Qpih
&b
&ma
Qpil
Qpil
pi
f
Qgmm
Qpil
Qpil
Piedmont and Alluvial-fan deposits (Pleistocene) — Light reddish brown (5YR 6/4),
unconsolidated to moderately consolidated sand and gravel. Gravels consist of subangular to subrounded limestone, granitic and metamorphic, and red sandstone rock
types. Stable surface of deposit, where not deeply dissected on rounded and planar
divides between 5 and 12 m above adjacent channels, exhibits well developed soils
with Stage III+ pedogenic carbonate morphology. Deposits commonly are more than
12 m thick.
Thin alluvium in drainages crossing thick gypsum deposits (Holocene to upper Pleistocene?) —
Unconsolidated pale brown to light reddish brown (10 YR 8/3 to 5YR 6/4) fine-grained sand to
clayey silt alluvium and loess with angular clasts of gypsum crust. Rarely contains pebbles derived from the Oscura Mountains. Locally fills dissolution-related small valleys developed in
gypsum megamounds. Commonly less than 1 m thick, but ranges to more than 4 m thick.
Qpil
Qpil
9
Qpi
Qpi
17
Qpi
44
Qpi
Q
Qpi
Qpil
&b
Qpi
Qe
Qpif
Qpil
Qpi
&b
Qpi
Qpy
Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
20
3704000
Qpi
20
18
Qpi
Qpi
Qpih
Qpif
Qpi
A'
Qpil
Qpil
Qpy
Qa
18
Qpil
Qpif
Qpy
Qpi
12
14
&ma
Qpi
Qpi
Qpy
3705 000
Pa
Qpi
24
Qpif
Qpi
Qpil
Qpy
&ma
Qc
Qpif
Qpi
&b
10
16
Qpi
&b
Qpi
Qpif
Qpi
Qpy
17
Qpi
Qpi
&b
&b
Qpy
Qpi
Qpih
13
&ma
Qpi
Qpy
Qpy
Qpi
12
15
Qpi
Qpi
af
35
Qpil
Pa
Qpi
&b
15
Qpi
Qpih
Qpi
Qpil
Qpy
32
&b
Qpih
lPma Madera Group, Atrasado Formation (Upper Pennsylvanian [Missourian and Virgilian]) — Base
of unit not exposed in quadrangle. Kues (2001) summarized regional correlations of Pennsylvanian strata in New Mexico, and concluded that the formation-rank names Gray Mesa and
Atrasado, respectively, should be used rather than the informal "lower member" (~Desmoinesian) and "upper member" (~Missourian-Virgilian) division of the Madera used
by Bachman (1968) in the Oscura Mountains. Consists of gray and greenish gray shale, reddish
brown and brown silty micaceous shale (10 YR 5/3), glauconitic sandstone, crossbedded, quartzose to arkosic sandstone and pebbly sandstone, and gray, fossiliferous (marine) limestone and
calcareous shale. Limestone units are planar over several km and exhibit several scales of cyclic
bedding. The Atrasado Formation is estimated to be 480 m thick in the southern Oscura Mountains.
2
New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
NMBGMR, 801 Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM, 87801
U.S. Army, IMSW-WSM-PW-E-ES, White Sands Missile Range, NM, 88002
Open-file Geologic Map 163
Map Symbols
Copper prospect
Aggregate pit
feet
5000
Inactive spring mound
˛b
4000
QTp
˛ma
3000
˛ma
˛mg
˛s
ÇO
˛s
ÇO
COMMENTS TO MAP USERS
Mapping of this quadrangle was funded by the Environmental Stewardship Division of White Sands Missle Range
and by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, (Dr. Peter A. Scholle,
Director and State Geologist, Dr. J. Michael Timmons, Geologic Mapping Program Manager).
New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
New Mexico Tech
801 Leroy Place
Socorro, New Mexico
87801-4796
[505] 835-5490
http://geoinfo.nmt.edu
This and other STATEMAP quadrangles are (or soon will be) available
for free download in both PDF and ArcGIS formats at:
http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/publications/maps/geologic/ofgm/home.html
A geologic map displays information on the distribution, nature, orientation, and age relationships
of rock and deposits and the occurrence of structural features. Geologic and fault contacts are
irregular surfaces that form boundaries between different types or ages of units. Data depicted
on this geologic quadrangle map may be based on any of the following: reconnaissance field
geologic mapping, compilation of published and unpublished work, and photogeologic interpretation.
Locations of contacts are not surveyed, but are plotted by interpretation of the position of a given
contact onto a topographic base map; therefore, the accuracy of contact locations depends on the
scale of mapping and the interpretation of the geologist(s). Any enlargement of this map could cause
misunderstanding in the detail of mapping and may result in erroneous interpretations. Site-specific
conditions should be verified by detailed surface mapping or subsurface exploration. Topographic
and cultural changes associated with recent development may not be shown.
Cross sections are constructed based upon the interpretations of the author made from geologic
mapping, and available geophysical, and subsurface (drillhole) data. Cross-sections should be used as
an aid to understanding the general geologic framework of the map area, and not be the sole source
of information for use in locating or designing wells, buildings, roads, or other man-made structures.
The map has not been reviewed according to New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
standards. The contents of the report and map should not be considered final and complete until
reviewed and published by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. The views and
conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as
necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the State of New Mexico, or
the U.S. Government.
Strike and dip of bedding
Geologic contact
˛b
˛b
˛b
˛ma
˛ma
˛mg
˛mg
2000
˛ma
˛b
Ti
˛b
Sinkhole
Active spring mound
Qpi
˛s
XY
˛s
˛s
ÇO
1000
XY
˛mg
˛mg
˛mg
XY
Pyt
Pa
˛s
˛ma
˛ma
˛mg
˛mg
˛s
ÇO
ÇO
˛b
˛ma
˛s
ÇO
XY
–1 000
XY
XY
XY
XY
3000
1340
2000
1330
ÇO
1000
1320
XY
0S L
˛mg
˛s
C’
E as t-s outheas t
me ga mound
XY
0
–1 000
Approximately located dike
Cross section and profile line
D
D’
S outh-s outhwes t
North-northeas t
Concealed normal fault, ball and bar
on down-separated side
1340 m
tf o rm
n o rth p la
highe r me ga mound
1330 m
Approximately located normal fault,
ball and bar on down-separated side
Approximately located plunging syncline
Approximately located plunging anticline
tf o rm
s o u th p la
ge
e ro d e d e d
a
k a rs t a re
tf o r m
n o r th p la
30 X ve rtic a l e xa gge ra tion
1320 m
1310 m
s inkhole s
0
1
2 km
1300 m
This map has been approved for public release by White Sands Missile Range for unlimited distribution. The White Sands Missile Range Operational Security review was completed on January 31, 2007.
1340 m
1330 m
1320 m
30 X ve rtic a l e xa gge ra tion
XY
0S L
Concealed dike
C
W es t-northwes t
˛mg
˛s
ÇO
ÇO
XY
4000
˛ma
˛s
˛mg
˛b
feet
5000
a lluvium
h
Qpy
Qpih
3705000
&b
Qpy
Qpil
Qag
Pya
Qpi
3706 000
Qpil
Qpil
Pya
11
Qpi
29
Qpih
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpy
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qpi
Qpih
&b
10
19
Pa
Qpil
Qpil
Pa
9
Qpih
B
18
&b
Qpi
16
Qpih
Qpi
&ma
16
&b
Qpy
Qpil
Qpil
Pa
30
10
Qpy
Qpi
Qa
11
3
Qpih
Qc
13
22
17
Qpih
Qpi
l
pi
Qpih
Qpif
Qpih
Q
16
Qpy
Pa
12
10
11
3706000
Qpi
Pya
Valley-floor alluvium, undivided young deposits (Holocene to uppermost Pleistocene) — Very
pale brown to light reddish-brown (10 YR 8/3 to 5YR 6/4), inter-channel dominantly finegrained (fine sand, silt, and clay) alluvium and anastomosing small channels of poorly to moderately sorted, unconsolidated pebbly sand with local gravel bars. Relief between channels and
alluvial valley floors is typically less than 1 m. Locally buries older gravel bars, former terrace
deposits (Qpil), and accumulations of gypsum. Soil horizons are not evident. In bedrock areas,
deposit is less than about 3 m thick. In bajada areas, deposit is more than 10 m thick and probably caps similar bolson fill.
af
&b
Qpi
Qpil
24
12
Qa
Qpif
Qpi
Qe
Qe
Pyt
Pa
15
Qpih
Qpy
Qpi
Qpif
Qpil
gy ps um c rus t
15
Qpil
Qpi
&b
Qpi
Qpy
Piedmont and alluvial-fan deposits (Holocene to upper Pleistocene) — Pale brown to
light reddish brown (10 YR 8/3 to 5YR 6/4), poorly exposed, poorly to moderately
sorted, unconsolidated pebbly to cobbly sand. Deposit surfaces are more than 1 m
above local base level along active piedmont drainages, continue to be more than 3 m
above local base level upstream. Soils are weakly developed and exhibit Stage I+
pedogenic carbonate morphology. This unit probably includes two distinct kinds of
deposits that occupy the same landscape position. Some of these gravelly deposits are
exhumed terrace deposits; others are late Holocene alluvial fan deposits. Estimated to
be 3 to 5 m thick.
Qpil
Qpi
Qpi
Qpil
Qc
Pyt
Qpi
Qpif
Qpi
27
20
28
Qpih
Qpi
Qpif
Qpif
Artificial fill (Historic) — Dumped fill and areas affected by human disturbances; mapped
where deposits or extractions are areally extensive. Commonly includes earth dams in alluvial
drainages, borrow pits for road construction and raised roads, and large sand and gravel quarries
where original deposits can no longer be interpreted.
QTP
6
20
20
Pa
Qe
27
19
&b
3707 000
Qpil
&ma
Qpi
Qpif
Qpi
Qpy
af
Qpi
Qpih
9
Qpih
Qpih
Qpy
Qpi
Qpih
Qpy
Qpif
Qpif
Qpih
19
&b Qpi
Qpih
14
Qpih
23
Qpih
Qpi
Qpih
Qpi
Qpi
Pa
Qpih
Qpih
Pyt
Pyt
Qpi
Qpi
Qpih
18
&ma
Qpy
Qpif
33°30'0"N
Qpil
Qpy
Qpif
Qpifs
Qpih
Qpi
Qpy
Qpih
Qpy
Qpif
Qpih
Qpih Qpi
Qpih Qpi
Qpi
Qpi
&ma
Qpif
Qpi
Qpih
&ma
Qpyd
Qpih
12
14
13
Qpy
Qpi
&ma
mound 1 3
Qpih
15
Pyt
21
&ma
mound 1 2
14
Pa
Qpi
Qpif
Qpi
mound 11
3707000
Qpi
Qpih
mound 1 0
Qpih
A
Qa
Qpi
Qpi
Piedmont, intermediate level, erosional scarps in fine-grained alluvial deposits (Holocene) — Partially eroded scarps in unconsolidated, pale brown, fine
sand, silt, and clay forming at eastern and southeastern edges of Qpif. From
0 to 3 m thick.
mound 8
af
Valley -floor deposits
Qpif
15
Qpih
Pa
14
19
Qpifs
Qpih
9
Pa
Madera Group, Bursum Formation (Pennsylvanian-Permian [Virgilian and Wolfcampian (?)]) —
Base of unit mapped at change from fossiliferous gray and yellowish gray limestone and greenish
gray shale of top of Atrasado Formation to reddish brown and maroon shale, siltstone, sandstone,
and conglomerate. Coarse-grained units are arkosic. Siliciclastic clasts in conglomerate range to
20 cm in diameter and consist of reddish gray, salmon, and weak red (10 R 4/2, 10R 6/1, 10R
5/6) Precambrian metarhyolite porphyries, quartzites, granite gneisses, and cherts in an arkosic
dark reddish gray sandstone matrix (10 R 4/1-4/2). Siltstone and shale commonly are maroon,
but may also be glauconitic green. Several gray to yellowish gray to maroon ledges of limestone
and/or limestone conglomerate form parallel bands along the outcrop belt, but do not contain
macrofossils. The Bursum Formation is estimated to be on the order of 254 m thick or more in
the southern Oscura Mountains and the Mound Springs quadrangle.
gy ps um c rus t
Qpi
21
Qpih
13
&b
Qpy
33°30'0"N
lPb
Qag
384000
Qgmk
383000
Qgmm
382000
Qgs
381000
Qss
380000
Holocene
379000
Neogene
Miocene Pliocene Pleistocene
378000
CENOZOIC
377000
Paleogene
376000
MESOZOIC
375000
NMBGMR Open-file Geologic Map 163
Last Modified 3 April 2007
Permian
374000
PALEOZOIC
373000
106°15'0"W
a lluvium
372000
106°17'30"W
Cambrian &
Ordovician
106°20'0"W
PENNSYLVANIAN
PROTEROZOIC
106°22'30"W
Piedmont, intermediate level, fine-grained alluvial deposits (Holocene to upper Pleistocene?) — Unconsolidated pale brown, fine sand, silt, and clay deposited as alluvium and possibly loess forming broad planar sloping surfaces in western part of
quadrangle and local valley fill in northeast part of quadrangle. Overlies low, gravelly
terraces in a few places, but does not have soil horizons developed. At least 3 m thick.
Qpif
DESCRIPTION OF MAP UNITS, MOUND SPRINGS QUADRANGLE
Pennnsylvanian
NEW MEXICO BUREAU OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES A DIVISION OF NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY
1 km