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The Jurassic section along McElmo Canyon in southwestern Colorado

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Abstract

In McElmo Canyon, Jurassic rocks are 1500-1600 ft thick. Lower Jurassic rocks of the Glen Canyon Group include (in ascending order) Wingate Sandstone, Kayenta Formation and Navajo Sandstone. Middle Jurassic rocks are represented by the San Rafael Group, which includes the Entrada Sandstone and overlying Wanakah Formation. Upper Jurassic rocks comprise the Junction Creek Sandstone overlain by the Morrison Formation. The Burro Canyon Formation, generally considered to be Lower Cretaceous, may be Late Jurassic in the McElmo Canyon area and is discussed with the Jurassic. The Upper Triassic Chinle Formation in the subsurface underlies, and the Upper Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone overlies, the Jurassic section. An unconformity is present at the base of the Glen Canyon Group (J-0), at the base of the San Rafael Group (J-2), and at the base of the Junction Creek Sandstone (J-5). Another unconformity of Cretaceous age is at the base of the Dakota Sandstone. Most of the Jurassic rocks consist of fluviatile, lacustrine and eolian deposits. The basal part of the Entrada Sandstone and the Wanakah Formation may be of marginal marine origin.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title The Jurassic section along McElmo Canyon in southwestern Colorado
Volume 48
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher New Mexico Geological Society
Publisher location Socorro, NM
Contributing office(s) Denver Federal Center
Description 6 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title Mesozoic geology and paleontology of the Four Corners Region: New Mexico Geological Society, Forty-eighth Annual Field Conference, October 1-4, 1997
First page 109
Last page 114
Country United States
State Colorado
Other Geospatial McElmo Canyon
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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