Dusten Russell, Wayne Hudnall, B. Allen, and Necip Guven. Texas Tech University, Box 42122, Lubbock, TX 79409
Many geomorphologic processes have occurred altering the soils and appearance of the Southern High Plains. Lacustrine deposited sediments are one of these processes that have left a paleo print of the past depositional history. This study is determining the distribution and morphology of lacustrine sediments from the Southern High Plains of Texas and New Mexico that were deposited during late Pliocene to early Pliestocene age. These lacustrine sediments are thought to have been derived from a series of saline lakes. Selected chemical, mineralogical and stratigraphic data suggest that at least two depositional environments have been responsible for the lacustrine sediments. One is a saline environment noted by the formation of sepiolite, calcite and dolomite, which may be part of the geological deposition known as the Blanco Formation and a second environment in which sepiolite and calcite dominate. In the sediments dominated by sepiolite and calcite, precipitates of silica are observed, in the form of opal CT. Birnessite has been observed within some layers of these sediments. The distribution of these lakes will help further general comprehension of the geological processes and development of the Southern High Plains as it occurred during late Pliocene to early Pleistocene age and address the possible soil types and pedogenic processes that occur within these lacustrine sediments.
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