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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 34 (1950)

Issue: 12. (December)

First Page: 2385

Last Page: 2385

Title: Imperial Valley: ABSTRACT

Author(s): L. A. Tarbet

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The Previous HitmarineNext Hit and continental sediments which occur in Imperial Valley may be divided into the following formations.

1. Split Mountain formation: Miocene (?) Previous HitmarineNext Hit and continental sediments.

2. Alverson Canyon formation: Miocene (?) non-Previous HitmarineNext Hit sediments and associated volcanic flows.

3. Imperial formation: Miocene Previous HitmarineNext Hit sediments.

4. Palm Spring formation: Miocene and/or Pliocene Previous HitmarineNext Hit and non-Previous HitmarineNext Hit sediments.

5. Borrego formation: Lower Pleistocene (?) non-Previous HitmarineNext Hit sediments.

Surface and well data indicate that at least 14,000 feet of sediments were present west of Salton Sea at the end of deposition of Borrego formation and as much as 25,000 feet of sediments may be present in the central part of Salton Sink.

Structurally Imperial Valley is a series of parallel fault blocks. The general trend of the major faults is N. 55° W. Two of these faults which are well known and extend beyond Imperial Valley are the San Jacinto and San Andreas. The sediments have two structural alignments, one sub-parallel with the major faults and the other trending east-west.

On the basis of surface data the possibility of obtaining commercial quantities of natural gas or crude oil appear to be very meager. Although a composite section of 22,000 feet of sediments is exposed at many places in the western part of Imperial Valley, only 3,600 feet are of definite Previous HitmarineNext Hit origin. The writer has observed no indication of petroleum except for small quantities of methane gas, comparable to that in many present-day swamps, in the non-Previous HitmarineTop sediments of the Palm Spring and Borrego formations.

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