24 Tectonics, Volcanism, and Sediment Dispersal Within and Proximal to the Rio Grande Rift and Southern Rocky Mountains (Posters)

This session integrates research on coupled tectonics, volcanism, and sediment dispersal in the Rio Grande Rift and southern Rockies. We examine how extensional faulting controls volcanic processes and reshapes sediment routing from Colorado through Texas.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Alvarado D/E

Subsurface Characterization of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene Raton Formation in Northeastern New Mexico, USA

Paper number: 24-2
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

  • Jonathan Anaya Presenting Author
    New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM
  • Martin Reyes
    New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Socorro, NM
  • Kevin Martin
    New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Socorro, NM
  • Nels Iverson
    New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Socorro, NM
  • Julia Ricci
    New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Socorro, NM

Abstract

The Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene Raton Formation preserves the stratigraphic response to the Laramide orogeny in the Raton Basin of northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Colorado. In addition to hosting economically significant coal deposits, this lithostratigraphic unit contains a well-preserved record of the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary in North America. However, the subsurface facies architecture, stratigraphic variability, and depositional age of this unit lack comprehensive geological integration. We present new sedimentological descriptions from five cores in northeastern New Mexico and integrate these observations with well logs to refine subsurface facies correlations. Core descriptions document conglomeratic to sandy fluvial channel deposits at the base of the Raton Formation that vertically transition to carbonaceous mudstone, sandy channels, and coal-rich, mud-dominated overbank deposits consistent with a fluvial and floodplain model. Gamma-ray logs allow discrimination between fluvial channels and fine-grained floodplain deposits, enabling potential basin-scale correlation of key stratigraphic intervals. Additionally, we identified volcanic deposits within the Raton Formation, providing potential geochronostratigraphic markers. These horizons represent promising targets for high-resolution dating and may help refine the depositional age of the Raton Formation, and consequently, the timing of Laramide deformation in northern New Mexico. This integrated core-log approach strengthens subsurface characterization of the Raton Formation and provides a framework for linking stratigraphy, tectonics, and chronostratigraphy in the Raton Basin.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410615

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