CENOZOIC FILL AND EVAPORATE SOLUTION IN THE DELAWARE BASIN, TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO
The Delaware Basin, containing thick deposits of late Permian salt and anhydrite, is one of the major geologic subdivisions of the Permian Basin of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. At least three extensive accumulations of Cenozoic fill, with a maximum thickness of approximately 1900 feet, are present in the basin. Localization of these major fill deposits is attributed to evaporite solution, particularly of salts. Consequent slump of the Permian Rustler formation, which immediately overlies the evaporite beds, makes it difficult to distinguish true tectonic structures in this formation.