Named for exposures 3 mi north of Tohatchi on south-facing scarp, Deza Bluffs, McKinley Co., NM in the San Juan basin. No type locality specifically designated, but section measured on the scarp. At measured section is composed of: red, sandy conglomerate with pebbles of quartz, quartzite, chert, sandstone, and slate at base; overlain by interbedded buff, white sandstone; some calcareous beds and some crossbeds; green to buff sand; and chocolate-red clay. One thin, white, sandy tuff bed is present near middle. Is 242 ft thick in measured section. Overlies Mesaverde group unconformably; underlies Chuska sandstone. Rocks assigned to Deza in this report have been mapped as lower part of Chuska sandstone by some, and as Tohatchi shale of Mesaverde group by some. Age assignment to mid-Tertiary based on stratigraphic position above Upper Cretaceous rocks and recognition that it grades up into overlying Chuska. Deza is of fluvial origin.

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