Permian rocks of the San Juan Basin

Abstract

The colorful redbeds of Permian age are exposed only on the major uplifts surrounding the San Juan Basin, but are present throughout the basin in deep wells. It seems that each area of exposure is unique and much controversy prevails regarding the stratigraphic relationships. Baars (1962) summarized the problems, and using subsurface data available at that time proposed regional correlations throughout the Colorado Plateau province. Numerous deep wells have been drilled in the meantime, confirming regional correlations and at the same time extending some formations beyond their previously known geographic limits. This study is an update of the 1962 publication and utilizes all well control penetrating Permian strata in the San Juan Basin as of early 1977.