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National Geologic Map Database
Geologic Unit: Careaga
Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Careaga sandstone*
  • Modifications:
    • Adopted
    • Revised
    • Biostratigraphic dating
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Santa Maria basin
Publication:

Woodring, W.P., Bramlette, M.N., and Lohman, K.E., 1943, Stratigraphy and paleontology of Santa Maria district, California: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 27, no. 10, p. 1335-1360. [Available online, with subscription, from AAPG archives: http://www.aapg.org/datasystems or http://search.datapages.com]


Summary:

Careaga formation of Wissler and Dreyer (1941) is adopted as Careaga sandstone. Type region [area] designated as on north flank of Purisima Hills south of Careaga station of now abandoned Pacific Coast Railroad, Santa Maria district, Santa Barbara Co, CA. Subdivided into lower fine-grained sandstone unit, Cebada fine-grained member and upper coarse-grained sand and conglomerate unit, Graciosa coarse-grained member. Thickness ranges from 50 to 1425 ft. Gradationally overlies Foxen mudstone; in some areas discordantly overlies Sisquoc formation or Monterey formation. Conformably underlies Paso Robles formation. Age is late Pliocene based on abundant megafauna, some of which are listed in report.

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


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Careaga sand*
  • Modifications:
    • Redescribed
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Santa Maria Basin
Publication:

Worts, G.F., Jr., 1951, Geology and ground-water resources of the Santa Maria Valley area, California: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper, 1000, 169 p., (incl. geologic map, scale 1:63,360)


Summary:

Careaga sandstone of Woodring and others (1943) is redescribed as Careaga sand because unit is logged as sand in most water wells; induration is apparently a surface feature. Maximum thickness along axis of Santa Maria Valley syncline is about 650 ft.

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


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Careaga Sandstone*
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • California Coast Ranges province
Publication:

Hall, C.A., Jr., Ernst, W.G., Prior, S.W., and Wiese, J.W., 1979, Geologic map of the San Luis Obispo-San Simeon region, California: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map, I-1097, 1 sheet, scale 1:48,000


Summary:

Recognized in area of report (San Luis Obispo-San Simeon region). Described as loosely consolidated to well-cemented poorly bedded, medium- to coarse-grained, grayish-white to dark-gray sandstone and conglomerate. Fossils are present. Exposed thickness is 4 m. Age given as Pliocene.

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


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 ( ).

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