272 Faults, Fractures, and Geomechanics for the Energy Transition (Posters)

This session explores the critical role of structural geology and geomechanics in the energy transition, emphasizing multidisciplinary research on faults, fractures, and deformation processes to ensure sustainable and efficient management of subsurface resources.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

New Constraints on Timing and Stress Regimes of Pre-, Syn-, and Post-Laramide Mesostructures in New Mexico and Texas

Paper number: 272-0
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

  • David Ferrill Presenting Author
    Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
  • Adam Cawood
    Southwest Research Institute, Space Science & Engineering, San Antonio, TX
  • Kevin Smart
    Southwest Research Institute, Space Science Division, San Antonio, TX
  • Lisa Stockli
    University of Texas at Austin - Jackson School of Geosciences, Austin, TX
  • Daniel Stockli
    Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
  • Mark Evans
    Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT

Abstract

High-resolution U-Pb dating of calcite veins has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the timing of faulting and fracturing and providing age constraints on deformation stages critical to understanding regional structural and tectonic development, and associated oil and gas reservoirs, aquifers, and disposal or storage of CO2 and hydrogen.  This study applies LA-ICP-MS calcite U-Pb dating to mesostructures in Paleozoic and younger strata across Texas and southeast New Mexico and records deformation in normal-faulting, thrust-faulting, and strike-slip-faulting stress regimes associated with Ancestral Rockies, Ouachita, Sevier, Laramide, and Basin and Range tectonism.

LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating was performed on syn-kinematic calcite veins from normal faults, strike-slip faults, thrust faults, subvertical opening-mode veins, and subhorizontal opening-mode veins (‘beef’) in Paleozoic (mainly Permian) and Cretaceous strata.  These analyses yielded 187 new ages that document sequential pre-, syn-, and post-Laramide deformation across southeast New Mexico, and west and central Texas. These new data constrain Devonian veins in Ordovician deep-water strata, and several fault and vein ages from Wolfcampian or older strata indicative of Ancestral Rockies or Ouachita deformation.  Sevier-age (~150-100 Ma) thrust-faulting regime deformation (thrust faults, ‘beef’) is recorded by samples from southeast New Mexico and west Texas.  Notably, this deformation is ca. 1000 km into the foreland from the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt front, consistent with published calcite twin strain data indicating shortening up to 2000 km into the Sevier foreland. 

Laramide-age (~80-35 Ma) thrust-faulting regime deformation (thrust faults, ‘beef’) and strike-slip-faults are recorded in southeast New Mexico, west Texas, and south-central Texas (Devils River uplift vicinity).  Laramide-age normal faults and subvertical opening-mode veins reflecting normal- or strike-slip-faulting regime deformation indicate NE-directed maximum horizontal stress at and beyond the Laramide macrostructural front in west and south-central Texas.  Post-Laramide ages (~35-10 Ma) from thrust-faulting-regime mesostructures were determined in the Guadalupe Mountains foothills, Glass Mountains, and Devils River uplift vicinity.  These ages may reflect persistent thrust-faulting-regime deformation during post-Laramide erosional overburden removal.  Post-Laramide ages (35-0 Ma) of normal-faulting and possible strike-slip regime deformation record a regional pattern of NW-SE directed extension consistent with residual Laramide foreland stress conditions in south-central Texas.  Post-Laramide ages also show a regional pattern of SW-NE directed extension consistent with post-Laramide over-relaxation and Basin and Range tectonism across southeast New Mexico and far west Texas.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412944

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