Transverse Braid Bars in the Upper Triassic Trujillo Sandstone of the Texas Panhandle

Abstract

Exposed within the Upper Triassic Trujillo Sandstone of the Texas Panhandle are excellent examples of transverse braid bar deposits. The bars are 0.3-1.0 m high with a distance of 5-10 m between bar crests. They are composed of fine- to medium-grained sand with planar cross stratification overlain by a thin layer of small-scale trough cross stratification or linguoid ripples. A plot of stratification ratio versus bed relief index indicates a predominance of transverse bars over longitudinal bars for the Trujillo Sandstone. This indicates deposition in the distal portions of a braided stream system.