Mesozoic–Paleogene structural evolution of the southern U.S. Cordillera as revealed in the Little and Big Hatchet Mountains, southwest New Mexico, USA

A Mesozoic to Paleogene polyphase tectonic model presented here for the southern United States (U.S.) Cordillera provides new insight into style and timing of Mesozoic–Paleogene deformation and basin formation in the region south of the Colorado Plateau and Mogollon-Datil volcanic field. The model proposes reverse reactivation of Jurassic normal faults during Late Cretaceous Laramide shortening. It also recognizes late Paleogene east-west– and northwest-southeast–trending normal faults formed during a north-south extensional event that postdated Laramide shortening and preceded Neogene Basin and Range extension.