# Hidalgo Formation

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The **Hidalgo Formation** is a geologic [formation](/source/Formation_(geology)) of [Maastrichtian](/source/Maastrichtian) age (latest [Cretaceous](/source/Cretaceous))[1] in southwestern [New Mexico](/source/New_Mexico).[2] It is of interest to geologists for the clues it preserves of the nature of [Laramide](/source/Laramide) deformation in the latest Cretaceous.[3]

## Description

The formation is mostly [basalt](/source/Basalt)[4] or [andesite](/source/Andesite)[5] [lava flows](/source/Lava_flow), but with some interbedded [breccia](/source/Breccia) and [pyroclastic rock](/source/Pyroclastic_rock) and, in some locations, up to 200 feet (61 m) of [limestone](/source/Limestone) and [shale](/source/Shale). The formation rests [unconformably](/source/Unconformity_(geology)) on the [Ringbone Formation](/source/Ringbone_Formation)[4] or [Skunk Ranch Formation](/source/Skunk_Ranch_Formation),[6] and varies greatly in thickness, from 900 to 5000 feet.[4] [Argon-argon dating](/source/Argon-argon_dating) gives a consistent age between 70.53 and 71.44 million years.[7] The formation is overlain by the [Rubio Peak Formation](/source/Rubio_Peak_Formation).[6]

The formation is interpreted as a volcanic center located inland of the southwest coast of the Ringbone depositional basin[4] that erupted during Laramide tectonic deformation that partitioned the basin.[8] It may correlate with the [Salero Formation](/source/Salero_Formation) of southeastern [Arizona](/source/Arizona).[9]

## History of investigation

The formation was first named the Hidalgo Volcanics by Samuel G. Lasky in 1978 for outcroups found throughout [Hidalgo County, New Mexico](/source/Hidalgo_County,_New_Mexico).[4]

## References

1. Marvin, R.F.; Naeser, C.W.; Mehnert, H.H. (1978). ["Tabulation of radiometric ages--Including unpublished K-Ar and fission-track ages for rocks in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico"](https://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/downloads/29/29_p0243_p0252.pdf). *New Mexico Geological Society Field Conference Series*. **29**: 243–252. Retrieved 14 October 2021.

1. Lasky, Samuel G. (1938). "Newly Discovered Section of Trinity Age in Southwestern New Mexico". *AAPG Bulletin*. **22** (5): 524–540. [doi:10.1306/3D932F80-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D](https://doi.org/10.1306/3D932F80-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D). [ISSN 0149-1423](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0149-1423)

1. Jennings, George R.; Lawton, Timothy F.; Clinkscales, Christopher A. (June 2013). "Late Cretaceous U–Pb tuff ages from the Skunk Ranch Formation and their implications for age of Laramide deformation, Little Hatchet Mountains, southwestern New Mexico, U.S.A.". *Cretaceous Research*. **43**: 18–25. [Bibcode:2013CrRes..43...18J](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013CrRes..43...18J). [doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2013.02.001](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2013.02.001)

1. Lasky 1938.

1. Zeller, R.A. Jr. (1970). ["Geology of the Little Hatchet Mountains, Hidalgo and Grant Counties, New Mexico"](https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/publications/monographs/bulletins/downloads/96/Bulletin96.pdf). *New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources Bulletin*. **96**. Retrieved 16 September 2020.

1. Jennings, Lawton & Clinkscales 2013.

1. Young, John R.; McMillan, Nancy J.; Lawton, Timothy F.; Esser, Richard P. (2000). ["Volcanology, geochemistry and structural geology of the Upper Cretaceous Hidalgo Formation, southwestern New Mexico"](https://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/downloads/51/51_p0149_p0156.pdf). *New Mexico Geological Society Field Conference Series*. **51**: 149–156. Retrieved 14 October 2021.

1. Basabilbazo, George (2000). ["The Upper Cretaceous Ringbone Formation, Little Hatchet Mountains, southwestern New Mexico"](https://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/downloads/51/51_p0203_p0210.pdf). *New Mexico Geological Society Field Conference Series*. **51**: 203–210. Retrieved 14 October 2021.

1. * Hayes, Philip Thayer (1970). "Cretaceous paleogeography of southeastern Arizona and adjacent areas". *U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper*. **658-B**. Professional Paper. [doi:10.3133/pp658B](https://doi.org/10.3133/pp658B)

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