The Precambrian structure of the Estancia Basin, central New Mexico: New seismic images of the Mazatzal Province

The Estancia Basin, located between the Manzano Mountains and Pedernal Hills in central New Mexico, provides an excellent location for studying the effects of Proterozoic structural grain on subsequent Phanerozoic tectonic events. The Estancia Basin lies within the Proterozoic Mazatzal province. In recent years, the National Science Foundation Continental Dynamics Rocky Mountains Project, (CD-ROM) has been trying to understand how Proterozoic tectonism influenced New Mexico\u27s geologic history rock assembly. Reflection data collected as part of the CD-ROM effort image a portion of the Mazatzal province at a location 100 km east of the Estancia Basin. In an effort to contribute to a deeper understanding of the CD-ROM seismic image and regional Precambrian geology, I have analyzed ten seismic reflection profiles, well-logs, magnetic and gravity data from the Estancia Basin area. The strong relationship between the Precambrian anomaly and the Phanerozoic faults indicated the location of the strike-slip faults was probably not controlled by preexisting Proterozoic fold and thrust belt of the Manzano Mountains. (Abstract shortened by UMI.