Transverse tectonic zonation of Cuba and its significance for oil exploration

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976 · Int. Geol. Rev.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00206817609471324· OSTI ID:7123784

Levchenko, V A

The Laramide structures of Cuba and its continental shelf, which are oriented sublatitudinally, are divided into variously elevated blocks by transverse faults of submeridional strike, movements along which have occurred since the end of the Paleozoic. This division, inherited from the region's pre-Mesozoic stage of development, has determined the heterogeneous composition of the Cuban geosyncline's folded basement, which may be characterized by an alternation of areas of Paleozoic uplifts and intervening grabens filled with metamorphosed deposits of Early and Middle Jurassic and Triassic age, and also areas of oceanic crust. In the concluding phase of the Laramide orogeny, there were northward strike-slip movements of individual blocks in the central part of Cuba. The oil potential of Cuba is associated mainly with the depressed blocks, above which the section through the Mesozoic deposits may be presumed to be more complete. The best potential for finding oil exists in the zones of the transverse regional faults along which there may have been both lateral and vertical migration of oil hydrocarbons in the stages of crustal upwarp and extension.

• OSTI ID: 7123784
• Journal Information: Int. Geol. Rev.; (United States), Vol. 18:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
CUBA
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS
EXPLORATION
TECTONICS
CENTRAL AMERICA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
LATIN AMERICA
RESOURCES
WEST INDIES
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration