Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.17, No.3, pp. 351-354, 1994

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

"THE AGE OF SALT IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BASIN" -- COMMENT

J. Hossack*

* BP Exploration, Stockley Business Park, 4-5 Long Walk, Uxbridge UB1I 1BP.

Wilson's (1993) paper on the age of salt in the Gulf of Mexico presented a host of new data on the stratigraphic relations between sediment and salt. Old geological concepts have to be continually challenged by explorers in order that new hydrocarbon discoveries can be made. Wilson challenged the view that the salt in both the US and Mexican parts of the Gulf of Mexico is Callovian in age (as is generally believed), and suggested that it may be younger. His hypothesis also challenged the idea that salt sheets can be allochthonous, and be derived by halokinesis from the autochthonous Louann mother-salt layer. Salt encased in younger sediments has continually to be created anew by younger phases of evaporite formation.