Alisitos Formation, calcareous facies: Early Cretaceous episode of tectonic calm
The Alisitos Formation (Aptian-Albian), shaped as a marine volcanic arc, crops out along the western side of the peninsula of Baja California bounding the Peninsular Range batholith. Lithologically, this formation is formed by volcanic-breccias, porphyritic flows, biohermal limestones, and tuffaceous and pyroclastic sediments. The distribution of the different facies depends on the nature of volcanism and the distance from a volcanic center, although the presence of massive biohermal limestone indicates that in the Early Cretaceous (during the tectonic episodes), the volcanic activity decreased to the level that the environmental conditions were favorable for the development of an organic reef barrier, behind an island arc. Such conditions existed south of the Agua Blanca fault and extended to El Arco, Baja California. Based upon field observations and petrological analysis of the Alisitos limestone, an attempt is made to recreate the environmental condition in the Punta China and San Fernando, Baja California, sites.
- Research Organization:
- Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y Educacion Superior de Ensenada, San ysidro, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 5163805
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8608105-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 70:7; Conference: 4. circum-Pacific energy and mineral resource conference, Singapore, China, 17 Aug 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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