U.S. Geological Survey Home AASG Logo USGS HOME CONTACT USGS SEARCH USGS
National Geologic Map Database
Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse sandstone member*
  • Modifications:
    • Original reference
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Sandstone
    • Shale
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Anadarko basin
Publication:

Gould, C.N., 1905, Geology and water resources of Oklahoma: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper, no. 148, 178 p.


Summary:

Whitehorse sandstone member of Woodward formation. [Introduced to replace preoccupied name "Red Bluff sandstone." Quotes Cragin's definition of "Red Bluff."] Extends from vicinity of Whitehorse Springs, Woods County, Oklahoma, southwest across the Cimarron to high divides beyond. Overlies Dog Creek shale and underlies Day Creek dolomite. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 2321).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse sandstone
  • Modifications:
    • Revised
Publication:

Sawyer, R.W., 1924, Areal geology of a part of southwestern Oklahoma: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 8, no. 3, p. 312-321. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Proposed restricting Whitehorse sandstone to upper part of the Whitehorse, and named lower part Marlow formation. This usage did not prevail, and in 1929 Sawyer named his restricted Whitehorse sandstone the Rush Springs member of Whitehorse, and called the lower part the Marlow member. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 2321).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse sandstone*
  • Modifications:
    • Revised
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Anadarko basin
Publication:

Evans, Noel, 1931, Stratigraphy of Permian beds of northwestern Oklahoma: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 15, no. 4, p. 405-439. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Stated that Day Creek dolomite overlies (instead of underlies) Cloud Chief gypsum, and treated the Cloud Chief as a member of the Whitehorse. [These proposed innovations are still (ca. 1936) under investigation.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 2321).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse sandstone*
  • Modifications:
    • Overview
Publication:

Wilmarth, M.G., 1935, [Selected Geologic Names Committee remarks (ca. 1930-1935) on Carboniferous and Permian rocks of the Midcontinent], IN Wilmarth, M.G., 1938, Lexicon of geologic names of the United States (including Alaska): U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin, 896, pts. 1-2, 2396 p., See also Wilmarth, M.G., compiler, USGS unpub. corr. charts of Missouri (Mar. 1930); Iowa (Apr. 1930); Texas (Sept. 1930); Oklahoma (Jan. 1931, Feb. 1931); Kansas and Nebraska (Oct. 1936)


Summary:

Whitehorse sandstone. Is middle formation of Woodward group of northwestern, southwestern, and central southern Oklahoma. In central southern Kansas is in Cimarron group. The name has also been used by the Texas Geol. Survey in Texas. Age is Permian.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 2321).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse sandstone*
  • Modifications:
    • Mapped
Publication:

Darton, N.H., Stephenson, L.W., and Gardner, J.A., 1937, Geologic map of Texas: U.S. Geological Survey [State Geologic Map], 4 sheets, scale 1:500,000, See also GSA Bull., v. 44, pt. 1, p. 82, 1933 [abs.]


Summary:

Whitehorse sandstone mapped in Double Mountain group in northwestern Texas. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse group
  • Modifications:
    • Revised
Publication:

Green, D.A., 1937, Major divisions of Permian in Oklahoma and southern Kansas: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 21, no. 12, p. 1515-1529. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Pg. 1526 (fig. 3), 1528. Whitehorse group. Used as group term to include Marlow, Rush Springs, and Cloud Chief formations. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • [Whitehorse formation]
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
Publication:

Roth, Robert, 1937, Custer formation of Texas: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 21, no. 4, p. 421-474. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Pg. 422-433. Report reviews history of problem of Whitehorse nomenclature and correlation. Term Whitehorse has been loosely applied to sediments of Custer age [Permian] in Texas.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse-Capitan
  • Modifications:
    • Revised
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Permian basin
Publication:

DeFord, R.K., Riggs, G.D., and Willis, N.H., 1938, Surface and subsurface formations, Eddy County, New Mexico [abs.]: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 22, no. 12, p. 1706-1707. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Pg. 1706. The Whitehorse-Capitan [Eddy County, southeastern New Mexico] is subdivided from top downward into Carlsbad, Yates, Seven Rivers, and Queen. This involves redefinition of the Carlsbad. Gradation of Whitehorse into Capitan disposes of theory that Whitehorse is Triassic. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse sandstone*
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Anadarko basin
    • Sedgwick basin
Publication:

Norton, G.H., 1939, Permian red beds of Kansas, with discussions by R.K. DeFord and D.A. Green: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 23, no. 12, p. 1751-1819., See also Oil Weekly, v. 93, no. 3, p. 70, 1939 [abs.] [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Pg. 1802-1811. In Kansas, Whitehorse sandstone can be divided into four members (ascending): Marlow, Relay Creek dolomite, an even-bedded sandstone member, and an upper shale member, the latter two representing Rush Springs-Cloud Chief members of Oklahoma section. Overlies Dog Creek shale; underlies Day Creek dolomite. Cimarron series.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse group
  • Modifications:
    • Revised
Publication:

Cheney, M.G., 1940, Geology of north-central Texas: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 24, no. 1, p. 65-118. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Pg. 66 (fig. 1). Chart of revised terminology shows Whitehorse group above El Ren (San Andres group). [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse group
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Permian basin
Publication:

Dickey, R.I., 1940, Geologic section from Fisher County through Andrews County, Texas, to Deey County, New Mexico: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 24, no. 1, p. 37-51. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Whitehorse group. Used as group term in Texas-New Mexico area to include (ascending) Grayburg, Queen, Seven Rivers, Yates, and Tansill formations. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse formation
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
Publication:

Roth, Robert, Newell, N.D., and Burma, B.H., 1941, Permian pelecypods in the lower Quartermaster formation, Texas: Journal of Paleontology, v. 15, no. 3, p. 312-317.


Summary:

Pg. 313. Table shows Custer group comprises (ascending) Whitehorse formation, Day Creek dolomite, and Quartermaster formation. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse group*
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Permian basin
Publication:

King, P.B., 1942, Permian of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 26, no. 4, p. 535-763. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Pl. 2. Correlation chart shows Whitehorse group in central basin platform and Midland basin comprises (ascending) Grayburg formation, Queen sandstone, Seven Rivers formation, Yates sandstone, and Tansill formation; in eastern shelf area comprises (ascending) Childress dolomite member of Marlow formation, Eskota dolomite, and Claytonville dolomite; north-central Texas, near Red River (ascending) Marlow formation, Rush Springs formation, and Cloud Chief gypsum. Name Double Mountain group abandoned in this report. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse sandstone*
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Anadarko basin
    • Las Animas arch
    • Las Vegas-Raton basin
Publication:

Maher, J.C., 1946, Correlation of Paleozoic rocks across Las Animas arch in Baca, Las Animas, and Otero Counties, Colorado: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 30, no. 10, p. 1756-1763. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Extended into the subsurface of Otero County, Colorado, on the Las Animas arch, Las Animas County, Colorado, in the Las Vegas-Raton basin, and Baca County, Colorado, in the Anadarko basin. Is 95 to 310 feet thick. As mapped in this report, may include some of Dog Creek shale of Kansas. Overlies Blaine formation and underlies Day Creek dolomite. Age is Permian. Report includes correlation chart.

Source: Modified from GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Denver GNULEX).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse sandstone*
  • Modifications:
    • Overview
Publication:

Moore, R.C., Frye, J.C., Jewett, J.M., Lee, Wallace, and O'Connor, H.G., 1951, The Kansas rock column: Kansas Geological Survey Bulletin, no. 89, 132 p.


Summary:

Pg. 36 (fig. 15), 37-38. Whitehorse sandstone of Quatermaster group. Comprises (ascending) Marlow sandstone member, Relay Creek(?) dolomite and sandstone member, even-bedded sandstone and siltstone member, and upper shale member. Thickness about 270 feet. Underlies Day Creek dolomite; overlies Dog Creek shale of Nippewalla group. [Age is Permian.]
[Misprint (US geologic names lexicon, USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208): publication cited is Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. 89, not 81.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse group
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Anadarko basin
    • South Oklahoma folded belt
Publication:

Davis, L.V., 1955, Geology and ground water resources of Grady and northern Stephens Counties, Oklahoma: Oklahoma Geological Survey Bulletin, no. 73, 184 p., (incl. geologic map, scale 1:63,360)


Summary:

Pg. 57-81. As used in this report, name Whitehorse is group name applied to all Permian strata above El Reno group and below Cloud Chief formation. Divided into two formations (ascending) Marlow and Rush Springs. Limited above and below by unconformities. Summary of literature. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse formation
  • Modifications:
    • Overview
Publication:

Jewett, J.M., 1959, Graphic column and classification of rocks in Kansas: Kansas Geological Survey, 1 sheet.


Summary:

Whitehorse formation comprises Marlow sandstone, Relay Creek dolostone, and unnamed member. Underlies Day Creek dolomite; overlies Dog Creek formation of Nippewalla group. Term Quatermaster group not used in this report. [Age is Permian.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 4208-4209).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse Group
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Anadarko basin
Publication:

Tait, D.B., Motts, W.S., and Spitler, M.E., 1962, Artesia Group of New Mexico and West Texas: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 46, no. 4, p. 504-517. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Term Whitehorse Group to be used in western OK for rocks equivalent to the newly named Artesia Group across the State line in NM and south in west TX. Name Artesia applied to the shelf sequence rocks. Geologic map. Correlation chart. Cross sections. Of late Guadalupian, Late Permian age.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Denver GNULEX).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse Sandstone
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Permian basin
Publication:

Barnes, V.E. (project director), 1974, Geologic atlas of Texas, Big Spring sheet: University of Texas-Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology Geologic Atlas of Texas, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000, Vincent Charles Perini, Jr. memorial edition [Also available in GIS format: Texas Comm. Env. Quality (TCEQ), Austin, TX, 15-minute Digital GAT (Geologic Atlas of Texas) Quads, v. 3/01/2004, NW CD-ROM. GIS files, browse graphics: http://www.beg.utexas.edu/mainweb/services/15minquads.htm]


Summary:

Area of report is central TX; in this area the Whitehorse Sandstone and Cloud Chief Gypsum are mapped undivided. Separately mapped units of Whitehorse and Cloud Chief include (ascending): Childress Dolomite, Eskota Gypsum, and Claytonville Dolomite. Whitehorse Sandstone and Cloud Chief Gypsum (undivided) are mapped in Nolan, Coke, and Stonewall Cos, TX; Whitehorse Sandstone, Cloud Chief Gypsum, and Blaine Formation (undivided) are mapped in Runnels and Nolan Cos, TX. Whitehorse, Cloud Chief, and Blaine (undivided) overlie Permian San Angelo Formation and underlie Permian Quartermaster Formation. Assigned to the Permian. Geologic map.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Denver GNULEX).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse Sandstone
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Sandstone
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Amarillo arch
    • Palo Duro basin
Publication:

Barnes, V.E. (project director), 1983, Geologic atlas of Texas, Tucumcari sheet: University of Texas-Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology Geologic Atlas of Texas, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000, Henryk Bronislaw Stenzel memorial edition


Summary:

Is Permian formation mapped undivided with Quartermaster Formation and Cloud Chief Gypsum (above) in two areas along Canadian River drainage in TX Panhandle in this map sheet. Is mapped in northwest Oldham Co, TX (Palo Duro basin) and in vicinity of Tecoyas Creek in western Potter Co, TX (Amarillo arch). Map unit described as sandstone, sand, siltstone, shale, gypsum, and dolomite interbedded. Sandstone and sand, fine-grained quartz, scattered to locally abundant frosted and polished coarse quartz grains, silty, massive, friable to indurated, various shades of red and orange, orange-brown, and grayish-green. Shale and siltstone, sandy in part, indistinctly bedded to massive, indurated, thin interbeds and veins of satin spar in upper part, various shades of red and orange, reddish-brown, and grayish-green. Gypsum, white, gray, and pink.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Denver GNULEX).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Whitehorse Sandstone
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Sandstone
    • Dolomite
    • Shale
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Palo Duro basin
    • Permian basin
Publication:

Barnes, V.E. (project director), 1993, Geologic atlas of Texas, Lubbock sheet [revision of 1967 ed.]: University of Texas-Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology Geologic Atlas of Texas, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000, Halbert Pleasant Bybee memorial edition [Also available in GIS format: Texas Comm. Env. Quality (TCEQ), Austin, TX, 15-minute Digital GAT (Geologic Atlas of Texas) Quads, v. 3/01/2004, NW CD-ROM. GIS files, browse graphics: http://www.beg.utexas.edu/mainweb/services/15minquads.htm]


Summary:

Is Permian formation mapped undivided with underlying Cloud Chief Gypsum (Permian) in mostly continuous north-south trending belt east of Caprock Escarpment in east-central part of map sheet in Motley and Cottle Cos, TX (Palo Duro basin) and in Dickens, King, Kent, and Stonewall Cos, TX (northeastern Permian basin). Overlain by Quartermaster Formation (Permian). Map unit described as sandstone, sand, shale, gypsum, and dolomite, interbedded. Sand and sandstone, fine-grained quartz, silty thin-bedded to massive, friable, orange brown, various shades of red mottled grayish green. Shale, sandy in part, indistinctly bedded to massive, red. Gypsum, massive, in part banded, beds up to 12 ft thick, white, pink. Dolomite, thin, discontinuous beds associated with gypsum, gray; units separately mapped include Claytonville Dolomite, at top, Eskota Gypsum, and Childress Dolomite, at base; Childress Dolomite forms scarp. Marine megafossils scarce. Thickness of undivided map unit 650+/-ft.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Denver GNULEX).


Search archives

For more information, please contact Nancy Stamm, Geologic Names Committee Secretary.

Asterisk (*) indicates published by U.S. Geological Survey authors.

"No current usage" (†) implies that a name has been abandoned or has fallen into disuse. Former usage and, if known, replacement name given in parentheses ( ).

Slash (/) indicates name conflicts with nomenclatural guidelines (CSN, 1933; ACSN, 1961, 1970; NACSN, 1983, 2005, 2021). May be explained within brackets ([ ]).