Subsurface and Outcrop Examination of the Capitan Shelf Margin, Northern Delaware Basin

Shelf sandstone reservoirs are becoming a more and more common exploration target. What they are, how they may be characterized, and how they differ from shoreline and deep-water deposits in the subject of this publication. Shelf sands and sandstone reservoirs are among the more poorly understood types of sandstones. Continental, shoreline and deep water sandstones have all been studied in much more depth than have shelf sands and sandstones. However, during the last fifteen years significant progress has been made in understanding shelf sands and sandstones. Studies of modern sediments have allowed us to understand many of the depositional processes active on the shelf. This book is intended to be an up-to-date summary of shelf processes and products. The papers are intended for those new to shelf sands and sandstones as well as the shelf specialist.
Large-Scale Channel Development within the Capitan Reef Complex - Evidence from Carlsbad Caverns Available to Purchase
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Published:January 01, 1989
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CitationGill M. Harwood, 1989. "Large-Scale Channel Development within the Capitan Reef Complex - Evidence from Carlsbad Caverns", Subsurface and Outcrop Examination of the Capitan Shelf Margin, Northern Delaware Basin, Paul M. Harris, George A. Grover
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Abstract
Carlsbad Caverns have formed within the uppermost Capitan reef and, where the cavern margins have not been coated with cave formations, allow examination of three-dimensional transects through the reef and adjacent facies. This study was made within Left Hand Tunnel, which is developed mostly on one stratigraphic-level within the reef facies (Fig. 1a). Although in situ reef is developed both at the entrance to the tunnel and further along the tunnel, mapping has identified an area, commencing near the western end of the tunnel, where large rotated blocks of reef facies sediments are present (Fig. 1b). A further, smaller area of rotated reef facies blocks is present near the eastern end of the tunnel (Fig. 1b). These areas are interpreted as paleochannels which developed within the reef. The western paleochannel is some 230 m wide by over 25 m deep. The size of the eastern paleochannel cannot be determined as the surrounding areas are covered by cave formations.