GSA Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, USA - 2019

Paper No. 109-19
Presentation Time: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM

CORRELATING CRETACEOUS FOSSIL ASSEMBLAGES AT THE CORONADO AND THUNDERBIRD OUTCROP SITES IN EL PASO, TEXAS


ZAK, Jessica, Geology, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968; Geology, Clackamas Community College, 19600 Molalla Ave, Oregon City, OR 97045, DOSER, Diane I., Geological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, ROHRBAUGH, Rob, Geology, El Paso Community College, 1579 Bengal Dr, El Paso, TX 79935 and LANGFORD, Richard P., Geological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University, El Paso, TX 79968-0555

This project focused on the macro-fossils found in locations known as the Coronado and Thunderbird outcrop sites in El Paso, Texas, in order to identify the fossils and determine if any of them are index fossils that can be found in certain formations, so that they can be used to accurately determine the ages of the formations that have been intruded by the andesites. Currently, I have found that the fossils found at these sites have been primarily Gryphaea, which are associated with both the Muleros and Mesilla Valley formations. By analyzing the Gryphaea fossils, I hope to pinpoint the formation they belong to, which will then provide the information needed to help identify the Cretaceous strata at each site for improved understanding of structural deformation.