Paradox Formation

Paradox Formation
Stratigraphic range: Pennsylvanian 313–304 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Paradox Formation at its type location at Paradox, Colorado
Type	Geological formation
Unit of	Hermosa Group
Underlies	Honaker Trail Formation
Overlies	Pinkerton Trail Formation
Thickness	4,380 feet (1,340 m)
Lithology
Primary	evaporites
Other	sandstone, shale, limestone
Location
Coordinates	38°22′05″N 108°57′50″W / 38.368°N 108.964°W / 38.368; -108.964
Region	Utah, Colorado
Country	United States
Extent	150 by 80 miles (240 by 130 km) (evaporite facies)
Type section
Named for	Paradox Valley
Named by	Baker, Dante, and Reeside
Year defined	1933
Paradox Formation (the United States) Show map of the United States Paradox Formation (Colorado) Show map of Colorado

In geology, the Paradox Formation Is a Pennsylvanian age formation which consists of abundant evaporites with lesser interbedded shale, sandstone, and limestone. The evaporites are largely composed of gypsum, anhydrite, and halite. The formation is found mostly in the subsurface, but there are scattered exposures in anticlines in eastern Utah and western Colorado.^[1] These surface exposures occur in the Black Mesa, San Juan and Paradox Basins and the formation is found in the subsurface in southwestern Colorado, southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona and northeastern New Mexico.^[2]

The formation is notable both for its petroleum resources and for its salt tectonics, which are responsible for many distinctive geologic features of the eastern Colorado Plateau. In addition to the anticline valleys, these include the grabens of the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and the fins and arches of Arches National Park.