Cenozoic sedimentary and deformational history of Hispaniola
Previous workers have recognized that the basement rocks of northern Hispaniola consists of structurally complex volcanic, plutonic, and metamorphic rocks that have been interpreted as a Late Cretaceous-Eocene forearc and trench complex. Questions that have remained poorly answered from the study of the basement complex include: (1) why and when did subduction end, and (2) how many arc complexes are present and how and when did accretion occur. In order to answer these questions more satisfactorily, the authors conducted detailed mapping of upper Eocene-lower Miocene marine clastic and carbonate rocks that unconformably overlie the forearc and trench complex. The Cordillera Septentrional consists of a minimum of two distinct arc terranes that have been juxtaposed since the middle Miocene by left-lateral strike-slip faulting oriented slightly oblique (315) to the structural and geomorphic trends of the present-day plate boundary (295). Basement types and overlying sedimentary rock types and ages vary abruptly across the linear, 100-400 m wide shear zone. Southwest of the fault, the basement is made mostly of currently undated, deep-water silty carbonates with interbedded volcanics, whereas to the northeast of the fault, basement consists of a heterogeneous volcanic, plutonic, and metamorphic complex. Fossil dating of sediments is in progress to determine the age of arc activity. The composition of turbidite basins unconformably overlying both basement types closely reflects the underlying basement lithologies. Preliminary biostratigraphic data indicate the southwestern basin (approximately 5,500 m of section) is late Eocene-early Oligocene, whereas the northeastern basin (approximately 2,500 m of section) is early Miocene. Upper Miocene-Pliocene carbonates ( > 300 m thick) cap both basins and suggest post-early Miocene ''docking'' of the basement terranes and their associated basins.
- OSTI ID:
- 6806370
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-880301-
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Cenozoic sedimentary and deformational history of hispaniola, 1: southeastern Cordillera Central
Seismic stratigraphy, sediments, and basin history of Tonga forearc basin, late Eocene to Pleistocene
Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
BASEMENT ROCK
CARBONATE ROCKS
CENOZOIC ERA
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DEFORMATION
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICS
GREATER ANTILLES
HETEROGENEOUS EFFECTS
HISPANIOLA
ISLANDS
LITHOLOGY
MAPPING
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TERTIARY PERIOD
WEST INDIES