About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 9 (1925)

Issue: 3. (May-June)

First Page: 536

Last Page: 589

Title: The Salt Domes of South Texas

Author(s): Donald C. Barton (2)

Abstract:

In south Texas, there are three known salt domes, Palangana, Piedras Pintas, and Falfurrias; three possible domes, Sal del Rey, Sal Vieja, and Chapeno; and two much less probable domes, Smith Corkill and La Lomita. The structure of Palangana, fairly well known from drilling, is that characteristic of an American salt dome, and is distinctly reflected in the topography. Palangana has no production. At Piedras Pintas, the salt and cap have been drilled into, but not much is known in regard to the structure of the dome. Piedras Pintas has a small, shallow oil field. Both domes gives evidence of the very great upthrust of the salt. On the basis of the evidence afforded by the German salt domes, the origin of salt domes is the plastic deformation of sedimentary salt beds. The rigin of salt domes is the plastic deformation of sedimentary salt beds. The origin of the cap, such as is present at both Palangana and Piedras Pintas, has not been satisfactorily explained, although several plausible theories have been proposed. At Falfurrias, the salt has not been encountered, but the presence of a characteristic salt-dome mound and characteristic cap rock indicate the presence of a salt dome. Sal del Rey and Sal Vieja are saline lakes whose topography in a general way is similar to that of a central-depression type of salt-dome mound. The lakes, however, are more probably due to wind activity with concentration of normal surface waters in the wind-scooped basins. Chapeno suggests salt-dome structure in the presence of sulphur deposits. La Lomita is a mound near the R o Grande, and Smith Corkill is a group of chalcedonic knobs.

Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24

AAPG Member?

Please login with your Member username and password.

Members of AAPG receive access to the full AAPG Bulletin Archives as part of their membership. For more information, contact the AAPG Membership Department at [email protected].