About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, 2011
Pages 341-352

Structural Characterization and Tectonic Evolutional Onshore-Offshore Model at the Mexican Northwestern Portion of the Gulf of Mexico

Rolando H. Peterson Rodriguez, Juan C. Flores Zamora, Miguel A. Cruz Mercado, Enrique Reyes Tovar, Hector G. Lopez Cespedes, Raymundo Sanchez Rivera, David Barrera Gonzalez

Abstract

A regional evolutional tectonic model, typical of passive margin basins was constrained at the Mexican northwestern portion of the Gulf of Mexico, in the area known as the Northern Gulf Salt Province (NGSP). Four tectonic events were identified using regional transects, which can be summarized as: (1) Rift basins of depositional mother-salt setting development during the Middle Jurassic; (2) Gravitational extension-halokinetic system associated to diapirs and salt canopies during Jurassic-Paleocene time; (3) Secondary minibasins development during Eocene; and (4) Extentional-contractional linked systems, developed in four overlapped stages: Early Oligocene, Late Oligocene–Present, Early Miocene–Present, and Late Miocene–Present.

The structural linked systems of progressive gravitational-extension of early Oligocene to Present time were developed due to basin tilting and platform collapse due to the progradational sedimentary wedge load. Salt structures were formed by the movement of the autochthonous salt to a variety of allochthonous salt structures in the middle of the basin (translation zone), and the development of a contractional system at the edge-seaward linked system, at the eastern side of the basin, during the late Miocene–Present time stage.

Several salt-structures, which are associated to this major linked system, represent hydrocarbon traps relevant as deepwater exploration targets in the NGSP. Similar structures have been successful discoveries in the U.S. side of the Gulf of Mexico.


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