The Louann Salt, a key evaporite unit in the Gulf of Mexico Basin, influences salt tectonics, hydrocarbon migration, and basin evolution. This study examines Louann Salt deposition and deformation within the Puma Diapir, focusing on mineralogical, geochemical, and structural features of suture zones in three offshore wells (Puma 2(w), Puma 3, and Panther). Using drill cuttings, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), well-log data, and 3D seismic interpretation, the study analyzed salt composition and suture formation. Results show the salt primarily consists of halite, with minor anhydrite, gypsum, and sylvite, indicating continuous precipitation. Geochemical analysis identifies localized anhydrite zones, suggesting fluctuating brine chemistry, while quartz and clay minerals point to siliciclastic influx. The study reveals active salt deformation, identifying autosutures and allosutures, with implications for salt flow dynamics and petroleum exploration. Further research will refine the understanding of these interactions.
","abstract_html":"<p>The Louann Salt, a key evaporite unit in the Gulf of Mexico Basin, influences salt tectonics, hydrocarbon migration, and basin evolution. This study examines Louann Salt deposition and deformation within the Puma Diapir, focusing on mineralogical, geochemical, and structural features of suture zones in three offshore wells (Puma 2(w), Puma 3, and Panther). Using drill cuttings, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), well-log data, and 3D seismic interpretation, the study analyzed salt composition and suture formation. Results show the salt primarily consists of halite, with minor anhydrite, gypsum, and sylvite, indicating continuous precipitation. Geochemical analysis identifies localized anhydrite zones, suggesting fluctuating brine chemistry, while quartz and clay minerals point to siliciclastic influx. The study reveals active salt deformation, identifying autosutures and allosutures, with implications for salt flow dynamics and petroleum exploration. Further research will refine the understanding of these interactions.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["singer, jamie dale"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Science - Geology","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"Geology","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Julie Bloxsom","Wesley Brown","L. Nielson"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-05-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2025-05-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:30:49Z","subjects":["Salt Tectonics","Diapir","Geochemistry","Luann Salt","Geology"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/609","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Julie Bloxsom","Wesley Brown","L. Nielson"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["singer, jamie dale"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2025-04-30T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Geology"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science - Geology"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Salt Tectonics","Diapir","Geochemistry","Luann Salt","Geology"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/609"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The Louann Salt, a key evaporite unit in the Gulf of Mexico Basin, influences salt tectonics, hydrocarbon migration, and basin evolution. This study examines Louann Salt deposition and deformation within the Puma Diapir, focusing on mineralogical, geochemical, and structural features of suture zones in three offshore wells (Puma 2(w), Puma 3, and Panther). Using drill cuttings, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), well-log data, and 3D seismic interpretation, the study analyzed salt composition and suture formation. Results show the salt primarily consists of halite, with minor anhydrite, gypsum, and sylvite, indicating continuous precipitation. Geochemical analysis identifies localized anhydrite zones, suggesting fluctuating brine chemistry, while quartz and clay minerals point to siliciclastic influx. The study reveals active salt deformation, identifying autosutures and allosutures, with implications for salt flow dynamics and petroleum exploration. Further research will refine the understanding of these interactions.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["IDENTIFYING SALT SUTURE ZONES AND LITHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE LOUANN SALT IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BASIN, LA. U.S.A."]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Julie Bloxsom","Wesley Brown","L. Nielson"],"dc:creator":["singer, jamie dale"],"dc:date.available":["2025-04-30T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["The Louann Salt, a key evaporite unit in the Gulf of Mexico Basin, influences salt tectonics, hydrocarbon migration, and basin evolution. This study examines Louann Salt deposition and deformation within the Puma Diapir, focusing on mineralogical, geochemical, and structural features of suture zones in three offshore wells (Puma 2(w), Puma 3, and Panther). Using drill cuttings, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), well-log data, and 3D seismic interpretation, the study analyzed salt composition and suture formation. Results show the salt primarily consists of halite, with minor anhydrite, gypsum, and sylvite, indicating continuous precipitation. Geochemical analysis identifies localized anhydrite zones, suggesting fluctuating brine chemistry, while quartz and clay minerals point to siliciclastic influx. The study reveals active salt deformation, identifying autosutures and allosutures, with implications for salt flow dynamics and petroleum exploration. Further research will refine the understanding of these interactions.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/609"],"dc:subject":["Salt Tectonics","Diapir","Geochemistry","Luann Salt","Geology"],"dc:title":["IDENTIFYING SALT SUTURE ZONES AND LITHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE LOUANN SALT IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BASIN, LA. U.S.A."],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Geology"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science - Geology"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:30:49Z"}