Stratigraphic nomenclature and correlation of Triassic rocks of east-central New Mexico--A preliminary report
— Spencer G. Lucas, Adrian P. Hunt, and Michael Morales

Triassic rocks of east-central New Mexico (Fig. 1) are sediments of continental (fluvial and lacustrine) origin that are divided into two formations, Santa Rosa and Chinle (Fig. 2). The term Dockum Group, originally based on Triassic rocks in western Texas (Cummins, 1890), has also been applied by some workers to Triassic rocks in east-central New Mexico. Indeed, the Triassic rocks of east-central New Mexico are located between the classic Chinle terrane of northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico (Colorado Plateau) and the classic Dockum terrane of western Texas. This makes a better understanding of the stratigraphy and correlation of the Triassic of east-central New Mexico key to understanding the stratigraphic and age relationships between the Chinle and the Dockum. This paper is a preliminary attempt to achieve a better understanding of the stratigraphy and age relationships of the Triassic strata of east-central New Mexico. Its goals are to clarify stratigraphic nomenclature and to present a preliminary correlation chart of the Triassic of east-central New Mexico with the Triassic of other parts of New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, southwestern Colorado and western Texas.