I always thought that the entire Gulf could be an impact crater, modified by some rotational aspects of the region since.
I argued this with a geology teacher at college years ago, but he thought it was all rotational.
But just look at it. Basin, central peak, etc.... Similar to a lot of impact craters on the Moon.
I’d expect lots of fractured, glassy, rock to have fanned out over the SE states, and been observed by “Big Oil” geologists.