U.S. Geological Survey Home AASG Logo USGS HOME CONTACT USGS SEARCH USGS
National Geologic Map Database
Geologic Unit: Sunrise
Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Sunrise formation*
  • Modifications:
    • Original reference
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Shale
    • Limestone
    • Sandstone
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Great Basin
Publication:

Muller, S.W., and Ferguson, H.G., 1936, Triassic and Lower Jurassic formations of west central Nevada: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 47, no. 2, p. 241-252.


Summary:

Pg. 241-252. Sunrise formation. Shales, limestones, and sandstones of [Early] Jurassic age, conformably underlying Dunlap formation (Lower Jurassic) and conformably overlying Gabbs formation [new] (Upper Triassic). Thickness 0 to 1,200+/- feet. [Present in southwestern Nevada, Tonopah and Hawthorne quadrangles. Age is Early Jurassic.]
Type section is in upper part of New York Canyon, west of Sunrise Flat. Named from Sunrise Flat, in Gabbs Valley Range.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 2088).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Sunrise formation*
  • Modifications:
    • Mapped
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Shale
    • Limestone
    • Sandstone
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Great Basin
Publication:

Ferguson, H.G., Muller, S.W., and Cathcart, S.H., 1954, Geology of the Mina quadrangle, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map, GQ-45, 1 sheet, scale 1:125,000


Summary:

Black, gray, and brown shale, locally altered to slate and hornfels, with interbedded argillaceous, cherty, and arenaceous limestone, locally grading into calcareous sandstone. One bed, 10 feet, of oolitic limestone in lower part. Overlies Gabbs formation; unconformably underlies Dunlap formation.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 3775).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Sunrise formation
  • Modifications:
    • Revised
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Great Basin
Publication:

Taylor, D.G., Smith, P.L., Laws, R.A., and Guex, Jean, 1983, The stratigraphy and biofacies trends of the lower Mesozoic Gabbs and Sunrise Formations, west-central Nevada: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 20, no. 10, p. 1598-1608.


Summary:

Sunrise Formation revised in Gabbs Valley Range, west-central Nevada. Is a formation of Volcano Peak Group (new), and includes (ascending) Ferguson Hill, Five Card Draw, New York Canyon, Joker Peak, and Mina Peak Members (all new). Members replace informal units 5 through 8, and lower argillaceous and upper carbonaceous parts of uppermost unnamed unit of Muller and Ferguson (1939, GSA Bull., v. 50, no. 10, p. 1573-1624). Gradationally underlies the Dunlap Formation; conformably overlies Muller Canyon Member (new) of the Gabbs Formation of the Volcano Peak Group. Type section of Muller Canyon Member is proposed stratotype for the Triassic-Jurassic System boundary. Age is Early Jurassic (Hettangian to Pliensbachian), based on fossils.
See also entries under individual members for more detailed descriptions.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1565, p. 106, 109, 147, 202-203, 221).


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 ([ ]).

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

USA Gov U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
Supported by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
Page Contact Information: Personnel
Page Last Modified: Thu 04 Apr 2024 04:39:25 PM MDT