19th Field Conference

THE GEOLOGY OF THE

RANCHERIA BASIN

by

Humberto Caceres
Ricardo Camacho
Jaime Reyes

EMPRESA COLOMBIANA DE PETROLEOS, ECOPETROL

April 1980
2

CONTENTS

Page
ILLUSTRATIONS 2
PREFACE 3
INTRODUCTION 4
PHYSIOGRAPHY 4
GEOLOGICAL SETTING 4
STRATIGRAPHY 4
PRECAMBRIAN 5
Los Mangos Granulite 5
CAMBRO-ORDOVICIAN 5
Perija Series 5
DEVONIAN-CARBONIFEROUS 6
Cachirf Group 6
Devonian Segment 6
Carboniferous Segment 6
PERMIAN 7
Manaure Formation 7
EARLY MESOZOIC 8
Ingeous Rocks 8
TRIASSIC-JURASSIC 8
La Quinta Formation 8
EARLY CRETACEOUS 10
Rfo Negro Formation 10
MIDDLE CRETACEOUS 10
Lagunita Formation 10
Aguas Blancas Formation 12
UPPER CRETACEOUS 13
La Luna Formation 13
Molino Formation 14
UPPER CRETACEOUS-PALEOCENE 16
Hato Nuevo Formation 16
TERTIARY 17
Manantial Formation 17
Cerrejon Formation 18
Tabaco Formation 20
Palmito Formation 20
QUATERNARY 20
Structural Geology of the Cerrejon Area 21
REGIONAL TECTONICS 22
GEOLOGIC EVOLUTION 23
BIBLIOGRAPHY 26
ROAD LOG 29

ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Index Map 5

Fig. 2 Composite Stratigraphic Column for the Rancheria Area 5
Fig. 3 Devonian Sequence 6
 3

Page

Fig 4 Carboniferous-Permian Sequence 7

Fig & Stratigraphic Column La Quinta Formation 9
Fig 6 Stratigraphic Column Lagunita Formation 11
Fig 7 Stratigraphic Column Animas Member Aguas Blancas Formation 12
Fig 8 Stratigraphic Column Tocuy Member Aguas Blancas Formation 13
Fig 9 Stratigraphic Column La Luna Formation 15
Fig 10 Stratigraphic Column Molino Formation 16
Fig 11 Stratigraphic Column Hato Nuevo Formation 17
Fig .12 Stratigraphic Column Cerrejon Formation 19
Fig. 13 Geologic Map of the Cerrejon Area 21
Fig 14 Cross Sections of the Block B Cerrejon Area 22
Fig 15 Stratigraphic Correlation Chart 23
Fig 16 Regional Tectonics of NE Colombia 24
Fig 17 Frequency Diagram Showing Orientation of Faults 25
Fig 18 Frequency Diagram Showing Orientation of Structural Axes 25
Fig 19 Frequency Diagram Showing Fault trend, Structural Axes and
Lineaments 25
Fig. 20 Geologic Map of West-Fonseca Area 30
Fig 21 Geologic Map of La Paz-Manaure Section 31

PREFACE

The 19th Annual Field Conference of the
"Sociedad Colombiana de Geologos y
Geofisicos" will cover two different geological
aspects of the Rancheria Basin: the prolific
coal-bearing Tertiary section of the Cerrejon
area and the potentially petroliferous
Cretaceous section within the basin.
On April 18th, we will visit the coal province
of the Cerrejon area. The leaders for this day
will be geologists Mr. Ricardo Camacho and
Mr. Jaime Reyes from Intercor, who prepared
the Tertiary chapters of this guidebook. On
April 19th the group will study the Jurassic-
Cretaceous section along the Valledupar-
Manaure road. The guide for the second day
will be Mr. Humberto Caceres of Ecopetrol,
who authored the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Tec
tonics and Geological History chapters of this
paper.
The Editor is indebted to Intercol, Intercor and
Ecopetrol for kindly permitting the publication
of the guidebook; to Carbocol for an oral
presentation to the excursionists of their
project; and to the authors who took time from
their company activities to prepare the papers
and the road log. Special thanks to Fernando
Etayo of Ingeominas who critically reviewed
part of the manuscript, and to Norman
Rowlinson for making some suggestions
regarding the Devonian - Permian strati
graphy. The Society also gives thanks to the
secretaries and draftsmen of Ecopetrol, Inter
cor, Intercol and Phillips for typing and
preparing the manuscript and illustrations of
this guidebook, and to those persons who
offered their invaluable advice and assist
ance.
Finally the Society extends its thanks to Mr.
Agustin Arango for making available the
LAP'S (Linea Aerea Petrolera) DC-3 for the
excursion. To Intercor for assistance offered
to field trip members at Cerrejon and for
donation of editorial funds. To Ecopetrol for
furnishing a vehicle during the road log
preparation. Schlumberger provided a
generous supply of refreshments throughout
the field trip and CORELAB offered a "Valle-
nato" cocktail party at the end of the second
day's events.
Jorge Molina, Chairman
Field Trip Committee
4
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to describe the
results of a recent geologic and tectonic
interpretation of the Rancheria Basin, and
gfeo - historical evolution. Special emphasis
is given to the prolific Cerrejon coal deposit
and its geologic setting.
The study area is located in the northeastern
part of Colombia and covers 2,500 square
kilometers. It is bounded on the east by the
Fferija Mountains, on the west by the Sierra
Nevada de Santa Marta, on the north by the
Oca fault and on the south by an imaginary
lihe between the cities of Valledupar and
Manaure. (Fig. 1).
PHYSIOGRAPHY
The Rancheria Basin may be divided into
three geomorphologic units:
1. The Eastern Area, formed by the western
flank of the Perija Mountains. It is charac
terized by rugged terrain, young streams and
abrupt elevation. Paleozoic, Triassic, Juras
sic and Cretaceous rocks crop out in this
area.
2. The Central Area comprises the Rio
Rancherfa Valley and the upper portion of the
Precambrian:
Cambro-Ordovician:
Denovian-Carboniferous:
Early Mesozoic:
Triassic-Jurassic:
Early Crettaceous:
Middle Cretaceous:
Late Cretaceous:
Late Cretaceous-Paleocene:
Paleocene:
Paleocene:
Eocene (?):
Eocene (?):
Rio Cesar Valley. It is dominated by alluvial
plains and low terraces, with average ground
level elevations of 100 meters above sea
level. The Central Area width ranges from 10
to 25 kilometers and is nearly 140 kilometers
in length.
3. The Western Area is defined by the
eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada de
Santa Marta and is characterized by very
rough terrain. Precambrian metamorphic
rocks and Paleozoic and Mesozoic igneous
rocks crop out in this area.
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The Rancherfa Basin is an elongated plain in
a N 65 E direction which is filled mostly by
Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments covered
by young alluvial deposits and terraces.
The dominant structural style is characterized
by block - faulting tectonics developed at
various stages during the Paleozoic, Meso
zoic and Cenozoic times.
STRATIGRAPHY
The following rock units can be defined for
the Rancheria Basin, based on the Stratigra-
phical Nomenclature Code.
Los Mangos Granulite
Perija Series
Cachirf Group
Igneous rocks
La Quinta Formation ( =Giron?)
Rio Negro Formation
Lagunita Formation
Aguas Blancas Formation
La Luna Formation
Hato Nuevo Formation
Manantial Formation
Cerrejon Formation
Tabaco Sandstone
Palmito Shale
 AGE FM Mts
Quat 200
Palmito-Tabaco 250

652
Cerrejon a
1000
j-x/jv^^^f^Ai^x^-f^^
I68a
443
in I I , I I U

m
1 1 1 !
40a2IOt

Aguas Blancas

Lagunita to o

I40
Rio Negro a
800

350
Fig. 1 Index Map.
<< La Quinta

PRECAMBRIAN 2.500

V V V V V

Los Mangos Granulite V V V V

V V V V V
iJ_,i i ri
r'i i i
Definition and Occurrence: This unit was
named by Tschanz, et al (1) from exposures
in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. These
are the oldest rocks known in the basin.
Accessible outcrops are located near Gua-
yacanal, northwest of the city of San Juan del
Cesar.

Lithology: According to Tschanz, et al (1),

this unit is composed of dark gneisses which
were metamorphosed to granulite facies. Al
ternating pyroxenic amphibolites, granitic
gneisses, marbles and ultramafic gneisses
are dominant.
Age: Radiometric dates reported by Tschanz,
et al (1), indicates ages of: 752 70 m.y.
whole rock RB/Sr, 940 34 m.y K/A
(hornblende) and 1300 100 m.y. Rb/Sr
(whole rock)
CAMBRO-ORDOVICIAN
Perija Series
Definition and References: The Perija Series
was defined by Liddle, Harris & Wells (2). The
term "series" is used loosely and has received
broad acceptance by oil explorationists. The
Fig. 2 Composite Stratigraphic Column
Rancheria Area.
name is derived from the Perija Mountains
where the unit crops out at Manaure, Sabana
Rubia, Alto EJ Cielo, Agua Dulce and Alto de
la Filigrana.
Lithology: Low pressure metamorphic rocks
or low pressure high temperature metamor
phic rocks are characteristic of this unit:
Chloritic - actinolitic schist, quartzitic - serici-
tic schist, quartzites and metaconglomerates.
Age: Regional correlation with similar rocks
along the Venezuelan flank of the Perija
Mountains indicates a Cambro- Ordovician
age.
6

Correlation and Stratigraphic Relationship:

The Perija Series is correlated with similar
rocks of the Quetame Group from the Eastern
Cordillera. It is unconformably overlain by
fossiliferous Devonian rocks.

DEVONIAN-CARBONIFEROUS

Cachiri Group
Definition: The name is applied to a Devo-
nian - Carboniferous sedimentary sequence
exposed along the western flank of the Perija
Mountains, in vicinity of Manaure and at
Cuchilla del Palmarito to the east of Cerrejon.

Type Locality: The type locality is in Vene-

zuela, at Cachiri river, eastern flank of the
Perija Mountains.

1. Devonian Segment of the Cachiri

Group. According to Forero (3), the
Devonian sequence exposed east of
Manaure can be divided in four lithologic
units, from top to bottom (See Fig. 3):

Unit Co D4: Sandy calcareous shales

Unit Co D3: Micaceous sandstones
Unit Co D2: Ferruginous sandstones
Unit Co D1: Basal conglomerate
Fig. 3 Devonian Sequence.
Paleontology and Age: Forero (3) found in
the upper three units:
Thickness and Stratigraphic Relationship:
Forero (3) estimates 650 meters for the total
Cyrtine hamiltonensis (Hall), Atrypa harrist thickness of these units. The Devonian un-
Caster, Acrospirifer olssoni Caster, Elita conformably underlies the Carboniferous.
Colombiana Caster, Acrospirifer murchisoni
Caster, Nucleospira concinna (Hall), Spirifer
kingi Caster, Fenestella venezuelensis Weis- Correlations: The Devonian segment of the
bord, Rhipidomella trigona Imbrie, Pen- Cachiri Group correlates with the Cano del
tagonia gemmisulcata (Hall), Leptaena Oeste and Campo Chico Formations ex-
boyaca Caster, Nervostrophia rockfordensis posed along the eastern border ofthe Perija
Feston & Feston. Mountains in Venezuela.

Based on these fauna Forero concludes that

Devonian deposition in northern Colombia
took place continuously from the Early
Devonian to the beginning of the Late Devo-
nian.
Facies and Depositional Environment: lithol-
ogy and the faunal assemblage suggests an
inner platform depositional environment.
2. Carboniferous Segment of the Cachiri
Group
Lithology: Forero (3) divided the sequence
exposed east of Manaure in two units: inter-
bedded conglomerates and claystones in the
lower part and calcareous beds in the upper
part (See Fig. 4).
 7

Paleontology and Age: Forero (3) identified

the following fauna found at Loma Juan Avila: t5E
izr
JZIZL
T~T-J
ETZIZI
Neospirifer latus Dumbar & Condra, Lisso- EZCI
chonetes sp., Neospirifer cameratus (Nor-
ton), Brachyspirina sp., Phricodotris F T
Cn TZL
planoconvexa Schumard, Antiguatoria- sp.,
Composita subtilita (Hall), Schuchertella sp.,
tSW
Eolissochonetes cf. bilobatus Hoare, Pecten tWrX-r:
ETC
sp. d ~TT
Vhnzr-cS
These fauna indicate a Middle to Late Pen- '0:'.<>'/.c>:'.cy:\6/*
nsylvanian (Late Carboniferous) age.
y.(/:. roio .o. . o
Facies and Depositional Environment: The
faunal assemblage suggests an inner plat- Tnr T
form within a shallow tropical sea environ-
ment of deposition.
Eff
XZI
Thickness and Stratigraphic Relationship:
According to Forero (3) the Carboniferous
sequence to the east of Manaure attains 300
meters in thickness (Fig. 4). Wokittel (4)
estimates 500 meters for the entire car-
boniferous sequence of which 150 meters is
of calcareous facies. Its upper contact with
the Permian is uncertain. 300 m.
Trr-rrr
Correlations: The Carboniferous segment of
x^Sffi
the Cachiri Group is partially correlated with Wiic^ jzzrrn
the Bocas and Gachala Formations of the
Eastern Cordillera of Colombia and with the i rj ; liir~r~r
i i
Campo Chico and Palmarito Formations in 150- X-L-l-Lll
Venezuela.

PERMIAN
o-u
Manaure Formation Fig. 4 Carboniferous-Permian Sequence.

Definition and References: This term is used

to describe a dominantly calcareous se-
quence found to the east of Manaure. The
"Manaure Limestone" is widely used e. g.
Trumpy (5) (6), Miller & Williams (7) and
Thompson & Miller (8). Information of the
Permian system of the Perija Mountains can
be found in Wokittel (4), Radelli (9) (10) and
Forero (3) (11).
sandstone and limestone in a red calcareous
sandy matrix. Overlying the conglomerate is
a sequence of dark - brown sandstones and
gray sandy marls. The marls are 40 meters
thick. Above the marls lies a hard fossiliferous
limestone, and at the top of the formation a
package of thick limestones are interbedded
with yellow calcareous sandstones and green
claystones (See Fig. 4).

Lithology: According to Forero (3) the Manau-

re formation consists of a 15 meter thick basal Paleontology and Age: Trumpy (5), (6) lists
conglomerate containing pebbles of red the fauna found in the Manaure formation.
8
Pugnoides swallovianus? (Shumard),
Productus inca d'Orbigny, Spiriferina
campestris White, Perrinites cf. hilli (Smith),
Schizodus? cf. S.cuneatus Meek, Medlicottia
sp.
These fauna suggests a Permian age.
Thompson & Miller (8) confirm the Permian
age from the following fusulinids and
cephalopods:
Pseudoschwagerina dallmusi, Mooreoceras
sp., Parafusulina durhami, Domatoceras sp.,
Parafusulina trumpi, Perrinites hilli,
Parafusulina nancei.
Fades and Depositional Environment: A mid
dle to outer platform is suggested by the
faunal assemblages and lithological charac
ter.
Thickness and Stratigraphic Relationship:
Forero (3) measured 750 meters of section
east of Manaure and Wokittel (4) estimates a
thickness of 200 meters at the same locality.
It is difficult to determine the stratigraphic
relationship of the Manaure Formation with
the underlying Carboniferous rocks. Its upper
contact is an angular unconformity with
sedimentary rocks of La Quinta formation.
Correlation: The Manaure Formation is cor
related with the upper part of the Palmarito
Formation and with the upper part of Cerro
Azul Formation in Venezuela. No other out
crops of Permian sedimentary rocks are
known in Colombia.
EARLY MESOZOIC
Igneous Rocks
Bordering the eastern flank of the Sierra
Nevada de Santa Marta along the western
side of the Rio Rancherfa Valley igneous
rocks crop-out either as intrusive elongated
bands following faults or as plutons.
Although the different igneous bodies display
diverse petrographic composition, felsic to
intermediate compositions predominate. The
main rock types granites, leucocratic
granites, (granitic porphyries), granodiorites,
quartz - diorites, quartz - monzonites and
their extrusives equivalents: rhyolites, por
phyries and vitrophyres.
For additional information the reader could
refer to Tschanz, et al (1), for descriptions of
the Golero Rhyolite, the Marquezote por
phyries, the Atanques Batholith, the Caracoli
Batholith, the Patillal Batholith and the Los
Clavos ignimbrites. Some of these rocks form
the basement of the Rancherfa Basin.
TRIASSIC-JURASSIC
La Quinta Formation ( = Giron?)
Definition and Occurrence: This unit includes
sediments ranging in age from the Late Per
mian to Early Cretaceous; lithologically con
sists of clastic, non- marine deposits and
associated with volcanoclastic rocks such as
breccias, porphyries and tuffs. These rocks
have a broad distribution in the western part
of the Perija Mountains and in the
southeastern portion of the Sierra Nevada de
Santa Marta.
References: The name La Quinta was first
used by Kunding (12) in Venezuela. Miller
(13) (14) Radelll (9) (10) and Forero (3)
adopted this term for Colombia. Wokittel (4)
describes the "Jura-Triassic" of the Perija
Mountains.
Lithology: Forero (3) separates the following
units of La Quinta at the Manaure area, from
bottom to top (Fig. 5):
Unit A
Consisting of red conglomerates and
sandstones. The conglomerates contain sub-
rounded pebbles of sandstones and lime
stones with a maximum of 25 centimeters in
length.
These conglomerates change facies laterally
to cross-bedded sandstones. Towards the
top intercalations of felsic volcanic rocks can
be found.
Unit B ni
7
T^h !
Is a dominantly sandy unit, made of red
colored, fine grained, cross - bedded ni
sandstones that are interbedded with oc
casional claystone beds. nn:
i i . i

Unit C T V V T ^
I I I I I I
Consists of thick bedded red sandstones and ijTWi
rhyolitic tuffs at the base, followed by a TTTTTTi: i : i
sequence of conglomerates containing
rounded pebbles of rhyolitic volcanic rocks ffig^
I I I I
within a red sandstone matrix. Occasionally
a brecciated conglomerate is present. ^S
^
Unit D

Consists of felsic volcanic rocks namely Tr

rhyolites and rhyolitic tuffs. 1" T -1

Paleontology and Age: Due to the low fossil x x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x

content of this formation precise dating is not X X X X X X X X X

possible. Based on its stratigraphic position ;'',*,+!

T
La Quinta ranges in age from Late Permian
to Early Cretaceous. A Triassic - Jurassic age
is commonly accepted.
m;
F5r
k n n n
c
2 0DOm.
0 m. - \

Fades and Depositional Environment: The

deposition of this formation took place in a
broad basin where fluvial and extrusive ex 100-1
plosive volcanic conditions were dominant. A zzc XXX * T - 1

relatively low rate of sedimentation allowed

oxidation conditions throughout the entire
sequence.
Thickness and Stratigraphic Relationship:
According to Forero (3), 350 meters of the La
Quinta Formation were deposited in the Manaure
area. South of Manaure, in the vicinity of
Sabana Rubia, Forero (3) measured a thick
ness greater than 1000 meters for Unit B.
Wokittel, (4) estimated a thickness of 2500 to
4000 meters for the same unit at Sabana Rubia.
In the San Juan del Cesar area La Quinta
Fm. rests unconformably over Proterozoic
crystalline basement. In the eastern Cerrejon
area La Quinta Fm. lies over Devonian -
o-w
Fig. 5 Stratigraphic Column La Quinta Formation.
Carboniferous rocks and in the Manaure area
over Permian metamorphic basement rocks.
La Quinta Fm. underlies Rio Negro or
Lagunita formations, is unconformable or dis-
conformable, depending on the presence or
absence of the Early Cretaceous basal con
glomerate. The upper contact is difficult to
locate with precision in the La Paz - Manaure
section due to the similarity of the basal
conglomerate with sediments of the La Quin
ta.
10
Correlations: This sequence is correlated
with the NeoGiron of Burgl, (15), with the
Giron Formation of Cediel (16) and with the
Villanueva Formation of Hart (17).
EARLY CRETACEOUS
Rio Negro Formation
Definition and References: The name Rfo
Negro Formation was used by Hedberg (18)
to designate a suite of Lower Cretaceous
sedimentary rocks exposed along the
Venezuela Perija mountains. In Colombia the
formation has been described by Trumpy (6),
Lill & Nugent (19), Hart (17), Miller (13) and
(14), Radelli (9), Richards (20), Rojas (21),
Forero (3) and Govea & Duenas (22). Rio
Negro Fm. is exposed at Cerro La Teta,
Cerro Pintado and Oca Mountains, near the
border with Venezuela and on the La Paz-
Manaure Road.
Lithology: According to Forero (3) the base
of this unit is characterized by a conglomerate
made of reworked granules and pebbles of
the La Quinta Formation, consisting of felsic
volcanic rocks, milky quartz, chert and frag
ments of red siltstone. Overlying this con
glomerate is a sequence of arkosic yellow
sandstones containing characteristic cal
careous concretions.
The type section described by Hedberg &
Sass (23) in the Perija Mountains (Estado
Zulia - Venezuela), the Rio Negro Formation
consists of coarse grained arkoses and
sandstones, occasionally with interbedded
conglomerates, fine grained sandstones and
shales.
Paleontology and Age: Fossils have not been
found within the Rio Negro Formation, but
field relations suggest a stratigraphic position
of Barremian or Early Aptian age. Langston
& Durham (24) collected a sauropod ver
tebrae approximately 100 meters north of
Stop No. 6 to the Rio Negro Formation. The
age of the fossil was determined to be Late
Jurassic or Early Cretaceous.
Fades and Depositional Environment: An
important change in the depositional environ
ment took place at the time of deposition of
this formation. The fluvial environment that
prevailed during La Quinta time changed t o
marine conditions, and progradational condi
tions were succeeded by a new transgressive
cycle.
Thickness and Stratigraphical Relationships:
The clastic sequence of the Rio Negro Form
ation along La Paz- Manaure road is 140
meters thick. Lill & Nugent (19) measured
[800 meters of section at Rincon Hondo
(Cesar province)]. At the type section,
Richards (20) reports 1500 meters thickness
for Rio Negro Fm.
The contact with the underlying La Quinta
Fm. is disconformable, and in places marked
by a low angular unconformity. The contact
with the overlying Lagunita Formation is con
formable and is placed at the first occurrence
of limestones.
MIDDLE CRETACEOUS
Lagunita Formation
Definition and References: Lill & Nugent (19)
indicate that the term was first used by
Neelands (Tropical) in 1922. The type sec
tion is located at Quebrada Jaguey near the
village of Lagunita in the Rio Rancheria Val
ley. Other references on the Lagunita forma
tion are found in Durham (25), Lill & Nugent
(19) Hart (17) and Govea & Duenas (22).
Lagunita Fm. is exposed along the western
flank of the Perija Mountains and aiong east
ern border of the Sierra Nevada from San
Juan del Cesar to Lomas del Pital, against
the Oca fault. The Lagunita formation has
been found in subsurface in the Cerrejon-1,
Papayal-1, Rfo Maracas-1, and El Paso-2
and -3 wells.
Lithology: At the type locality the Lagunita Fm
consists of thick bedded, fossiliferous lime
stones interbedded with black calcareous
shales. To the northeast of San Juan del
Cesar, at Cuchilla El Palmar, 0.40 to 1.80
meter thick beds of well stratified limestones
were observed. They exhibit a brownish -
gray to dark - gray color, calcite veins and
bituminous odor. Locally they contain pe-
lecypod and gastropod shells, corals and
ammonite fragments. (Fig.6)
 11

Paleontology and Age: From collection of lected Orbitolina cf. texana. Durham claims
samples gathered by Rojas (21), Barrios (in that the Requienia and Orbitolina forms are
Rojas 21) found: characteristic of the Early to Middle Albian.

1) Acanthohoplites cf. pulcher Rieldel "Area" Facies and Depositional Environment: The
convergideus Gerhardt of Aptian age (Late Lagunita Formation was deposited under
?). In calcareous concretions collected 4.0 middle platform conditions in an open sea rich
kilometers south of Codazzi (sample 63 - OR in carbonates and with relatively abundant
-56): organic matter.

2) Pulchellia cf. galeata ornata Burgl: of Thickness and Stratigraphic Relationship:

Middle Barremian age. Poor impressions of Lill & Nugent (19) state that the Lagunita
ammonites found in a limestone unit 4.0 Formation is 180 meters thick at the type
kilometers northwest of Los Venados, west locality, thinning to 138 meters on the La
of Codazzi: Paz-Manaure road. The Papayal-1 and Ce-
rrejon-1 wells penetrated 290 and 285
Petters (26) identified: Cheloniceras sp., Cor- meters, respectively, of this formation.
bis (sphaera) Corrugata, Trigonia tocaimana,
Exogyra sp. and Mytilus, sp. In Cano La Roya The contacts at the base and top of Lagunita
Durham (25), found ammonites of the genera Fm. are concordant with Rio Negro and
Niclesia, Pleurohoplaceras, and Pulchellia. Aguas Blancas Fm. respectively. In areas
At the type section for the Lagunitas Forma where the Rio Negro Fm. is absent the
tion he collected Cheloniceras, Requierria cf. Lagunita Formation rests on top of La Quinta
texana; and in the Manaure section he col Formation with slight angular unconformity.

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Q JL LA QUINTA C^zJi

^"^'"*'**

Fig. 6 Stratigraphic Column Lagunita Formation: A, Type section Quebrada Jaguey; B, La Paz -
Manaure Road.
12
In the areas west and northwest of Distrac-
cion, Lagunita Fm. rests directly on the Gole-
ro Rhyolites.
Correlations: See correlation chart (Fig. 15).
Aguas Blancas Formation
Definition and References: According to Dur
ham (25) the Aguas Blancas Formation was
first defined by Haught, Colley & Belding (27).
The type section is located southwest of
Valledupar on Quebrada Aguas Blancas. Pet-
ters (28) Hart (17) and Govea & Duenas (22)
also estudied this formation.
The Aguas Blancas Formation is widely ex
posed, cropping out on both the east and
west flanks of the Rancheria Valley basin.
This unit is truncated by the Oca Fault.
Lithology: This formation consists mainly of
brown to gray limestone in beds up to 0.5
meters in thickness, interbedded with black
carbonaceous shales, calcareous fine grai-
i I.I i ii
Fig. 7 Stratigraphic Column Animas Member, Aguas Blancas Formation: A, Rio Tocuy;
B, Quebrada Animas, Type Section.
ned sandstones and very thin glauconitic
beds. The limestones are often fossiliferous,
displaying partially recrystallized casts.
The two members located stratigraphically
below were called "formations" by Durham,
(25). The former designation seems prefera
ble since their smooth topographic expres
sion of the two units throughout the Cesar
Valley does not allow separating them as
"formations".
a) The Animas Member consists mainly of
thin bedded black limestones interbedded
with black carbonaceous shales (Fig. 7).
b) The Tocuy Member is characterized by
the presence of a medium to fine grained
glauconitic sandstone with intercalations of
silty limestones, silty shales and occasional
marls. The top of this member consists of well
bedded limestone (Fig. 8).
Paleontology and Age: According to Durham
(25) "at the base of the Animas Member
TOCUY - L. JL ' _i i .L.
i i i i r
SB 0 m. -
2 0)0m.
~ir I I I I
o ~ 3 S~b 100-1
o-u
 13

throughout the Cesar Valley, the unit contains higher (very close to the top, on Quebrada
Dufrenoya, Pseudosaynella, Cheloniceras Las Animas) it contains Diploceras and Lyel-
and various Parahoplitidae ammonites, all liceras, probably indicating a middle Albian
indicative of a late Aptian age. Higher up in age".
the section it contains abundant Douvih
leiceras and other ammonites indicative of
the lower part of the middle Albian, while still Concerning the Tocuy member, Durham (25)
says: "No ammonites have been reported
from the upper part of the formation, but
Knemiceras, Oxytropidoceras, Eugonoceras
LA LUNA and Pervingureria have been found in the
i , r i , i, i ,1 lower and middle parts of the formation.
'i ^ 11i '1i '1i ' n These forms are indicative of uppermost Mid
11111 dle Albian and Late Albian ages".
W Wi:n
i i i n i
l-rl-flTlfl-7
'lllil'lil'l Recently the Late Albian age for the Tocuy
' I ' 1 l ' 1l l 1l l 1l ' 1l l member Durhan (25) has been refined to the
i ; ; . ; ! late Middle Albian (Etayo, F., personal com
munication).

Facies and Depositional Environment: The

lithologic character and fossil content sug
I'I'I'I'I'II gests that the Aguas Blancas formation was
chemically deposited from a lime-rich mud,
abundant in organic and bioclastic material.
The depositional environment was one of
shelf within a tropical sea under transgressive
conditions.

Thickness Stratigraphic Relationship: Dur

ham (25) measured 217 meters of Aguas
Blancas sediments at the type section. Along
the La Paz Manaure road it attains a thick
ness of 149 meters, thickening toward Dis-
traccion where it may reach 236 meters.

According to Lill & Nugent (19) the Animas

Member is 285 meters thick and the Tocuy
Member is 450 meters thick in the Papayal-1
well. At the Cerrejon-1 well 280 meters of
Aguas Blancas were penetrated.

The Aguas Blancas Formation conformably

overlies the Lagunita Formation and is con
formably overlain by La Luna Formation.

m*m Correlations: See correlation chart (Fig. 15).

UPPER CRETACEOUS
ANIMAS rV.'.'.'.'l
La Luna Formation
Fig. 8 Stratigraphic Column Tocuy Member, Definition and Occurrence: La Luna Forma
Aguas Blancas Formation. tion was originally described by Garner, (29)
14
to designate a series of calcareous black,
fossiliferous shales containing black lime
stone concretions. The type locality is along
a stream known as La Luna, northwest of
Perija, Estado Zulia, Venezuela.
Notestein, et al (30) introduced this name for
the Barco Concession, and later the name
was extended to the Middle Magdalena
Basin, Guajira and Perija Mountains.
The best known outcrops of La Luna Form
ation occur on the western flank of the
Rancherfa River valley between the towns of
Buenavista and Cuestecita. The formation is
truncated to the north by the Oca fault. On
the east side of the basin some outcrops are
found at Manaure and at Cerro Cerrejon.
Lithology: In the Rancherfa River Valley, La
Luna Formation consists mainly of
bituminous - carbonaceous, dark - gray to
black, thin bedded fossiliferous limestone,
interbedded with black to dark - brown cal
careous shales. The fossiliferous limestone
thickness varies from 0.3 to 1.2 m. Toward
the top of the formation, thin beds (up to 8
centimeters thick), of finely laminated black
chert are present. La Luna Formation is
characterized by ellipsoidal limestone con
cretions that are black to dark-gray in color,
very hard and with diameters of between -0-
and 70 centimeters. The limestones have a
strong bituminous odor when freshly broken
(Fig. 9).
Paleontology and Age: In the Cesar and
Rancherfa basins Durham (25) described the
following fauna from the lower part of La Luna
f o r m a t i o n : Neoptychites, Haplitoides,
Fagesia, Protocanthoceras, Eucalycoceras,
Coilopoceras and some others of rare occur
rence, this assemblage indicating an early
Turonian age. In the middle part of La Luna
he recognized ammonites of the following
genera: Coelopoceras, Barroisiceras,
Prionotropis, Baculites, Toxoceras and
Hyphantoceras, indicative of a Late Turonian
age. The Upper La Luna contains Bar
roisiceras, Tissotia, and Peroniceras cf.
moureti, suggesting a Coniacian age.
La Luna Formation, thus ranges in age from
Turonian to Coniacian.
Fades and Depositional Environment: The
black limestones and shales from La Luna
Formation were deposited in a tropical sea
with restricted circulation and in an outer
neritic, upper bathyal environment. Cal
careous mud and carbonaceous organic mat
ter were the dominant sediments. The black
chert suggests a deeper environment rich in
silica.
Thickness and Stratigraphic Relationships:
No complete section of La Luna is known in
the Rancherfa River Valley. Lill and Nugent
(19) measured 75 meters along the Manaure-
La Paz road. In the vicinity of Puerto La Laja
210 meters were found, and at Becerril
(Cesar Province) 265 meters w e r e
measured. According to Hart (17) the
Papayal-1 well penetrated 40 meters and the
Cerrejon-1 well penetrated 120 meters of La
Luna sediments.
La Luna Formation is conformable with both
the Aguas Blancas Formation below and
Molino Formation above. The contact with
Aguas Blancas Formation is questionable
due to a hiatus existing between the Early
and the Late Cenomanian that has never
been paleontologically dated.
Correlation: See correlation chart (Fig. 15).
Molino Formation
Definition and References: The name was
first used by Haught, Colley & Belding (27)
in a Tropical Oil Company report to designate
the dominantly shale sequence overlying (La
Laja) La Luna Formation. The type locality is
on the Molino River. This formation has also
been described by Durham (25) Lill & Nugent
(19). Van der Hammen (31) and Govea &
Duenas (22).
Most of the exposures of the Molino formation
are located in the northwestern part of the Rfo
Rancherfa Basin between Buenavista and
Loma Materosa near the Oca Fault. There
are also some outcrops in the area north of
El Plan. The unit is exposed along anticlinal
and synclinal axes (Guayacanal, Hato
Nuevo, Papayal).
 15

| QUATERNARY r_r-:L__r-
v v v ol o 1 0 1 o 1 O I o i l
r r i y y i
o C= 1 C3 1 e3 1 O 1 O |o|

I I I I I 1
IHI-EI
Zi <ai o i o i o i <=> i <=, _j
o | o 1 o | o | |o| o
2
1 1 1 1 1 1
100 m."
o| o | o | o | o | o 1
o | o | o | o | o | o
o | o | o | o | o . |o|
o| o | o | o | o | o |
0 | O | <=> | CD | <D | 0 |
l 1 1 1 1 Q l !
o| o | o | o | o | o | 1 ! 1 1 1 1
1 1,1 1 I I o| o | o | a | o | ea ||
1 1
50
o | o
i i i i
| o | o | o | o -
n
^-=-=-^=-4
** ' '' O | CS | C=>\*=>\ c* .|J
:y..]]*]] 1 I 1 1 1
i-,:-':-,:'-:!^:? :-:,-::, 1 1 1 1 1 1
.!. ' . I ' . '.1 . 1.' . ! . '1
o | o | e | o | Q | 0 |
TOCUY I
i
I
l l
I
!
1 1
I I
l!
0-U
o\ o | o I ea | o | o i
o | o | o | o | o | o |
o| o | o | o I o | o |

l l | o | f l|
o | o | o | o | o | o |
o | o | o | o | => |oj
*| | o | o.| o |
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
1 I I 1 t 1
AGUAS BLANCAS
1
Fig. 9. Stratigraphic Column La Luna Formation: A, Puerto Laja, Type Section; B, Manaure-La Paz
Road.

Lithology: The Molino consists mainly of gray
to dark - gray, thinly laminated, well to poorly
bedded, generally carbonaceous shale with
thin limestone beds and dark- green clays-
tone containing iron concretions as well as
occasional fine grained sandstone stringers.
The base of this sequence is formed by
glauconitic sandstones (Fig. 10).
Paleontology and Age: Hart (17) described
the following fauna from the Cerrejon-1 well:
Haplophragmoides eggeri, Siphogeneinoi-
des parva, H. excavata, S. cretacea, Globi-
geina cretacea, Gumbelina excolat,
Siphogererinoides bramlettei, G. globulosa,
Globotruncana canaliculata ventricosa, Gau-
drina navarroana, G. Fornicata, Dorothia bul-
lata, Gumbelitria cretacea, Pulleina
Bulloides, Globigerinella cretacea, Globo-
truncana fornicata and G. caniculata ventri-
cosa are part of the Globotruncana fornicata
and G. stuati zones of Bolli (33) and Kugler
& Bolli (34). They correspond to the Globi-
gerina cretacea, Gumbelina globulosa and
Gumbelina excolta zones of Taylor age in the
Gulf coast area, i.e., Late Santonian to Early
Middle Campanian.
16

Peters (34), Van der Hammen (31) and Etayo glauconitic, brown to grayish- brown shale
(35) have found the Siphogenerinoides beds overlain by slightly micaceous, com-
cretacea and S. bramlettei zones that indicate pact, gray to light-gray siltstones with inter-
a Campanian to Early Maastrichtian age.

Most of the Molino Formation can therefore

be assigned a Santonian to Campanian age
and the uppermost part may be Early Maas- HATO NUEVO >
trichtian.
^a-
Facies and Depositional Environment: From
its lithologic character and microfossil content
the Molino Formation is believed to have
been deposited in a deep marine environ-
ment at lower bathyal to abyssal water depths
between of 1000 to 2000 meters.

Thickness and Stratigraphic Relationships:

Durham (25) measured 500 meters of Molino
Fm. sediments at the type locality. 590
meters of Molino were penetrated in the
Cerrejon-1 well and 120 meters in the Papa-
yal-1 well, Hart (17). The Molino Formation
is conformably underlain by La Luna Fm. and
is unconformably overlain by the Hato Nuevo
Formation.

Correlation: See correlation chart (Fig. 15).

UPPER CRETACEOUS-PALEOCENE
T T" \\ i -r
Hato Nuevo Formation
Definition and References: This formation
was first defined by Haught, Colley Belding
(27) in a private report for the Tropical Oil
Company, but they did not designate a type
150m.-
section. Durham (25) describes a type sec-
tion in Quebrada Aguablanca, north of Hato
Nuevo. This formation is also mentioned by
Lill & Nugent (19) Van der Hammen (31), Hart
(17) and Tschanz, et al (1) and (37).
75
The Hato Nuevo Formation crops out mainly
between the towns (?) of El Hatico and
Papayal, between Loma de Sierrecita and
Cuestecita and in the northeastern portion of LA LUNA
the basin north of Cerro Cerrejon. Other
outcrops are located at Tigrepozo, Cuchilla
de Montebello and Corazonal.

Lithology: The lower part of the Hato Nuevo Fig. 10. Stratigraphic Column Molino Formation.
Formation consists of thin slightly sandy and
 17

bedded blue - gray claystones. The middle

portion consist of thin beds of brownish - gray
limestone, interbedded with bluish - gray
shales. The upper part consists of light-gray
sandy limestone, very rich in gastropods and
pelecypod casts and/or fragments, which is
intercalated with micaceous shales (Fig. 11).
Paleontology and Age: The abundance of
Venericardia in the Hato Nuevo limestones
and shales and the presence of Turritella cf
mortoni and Ostrea cf crenulimarginata indi-
cate a Paleocene age, Durham (25). Miller
(13) Porta (38), Renz (37) describes a forami-
niferal assemblage from the Guasare For-
mation (equivalent to the Hato Nuevo in
Venezuela) and assigns a Late Cretaceous
age to this formation. 150 m.

If the Guasare Fm. in Venezuela is indeed

Late Cretaceous as determined by Miller
(13), then this unit is younger in the Cesar
and Rancheria Valleys than at its type locality 75-
and likewise, younger in the Guajira area
where Renz (37) dated it a Paleocene, ac-
cording to Porta (38). Although age deter-
mination of the Hato Nuevo Formation is
difficult because of the scarcity of fauna it is
tentatively assigned to the Maastrichtian to 0 J-l
Paleocene.

Fig. 1 1 . Stratigraphic Column Hato Nuevo

Fades and Depositional Environment: At the Formation.
beginning of Hato Nuevo time the transgres-
sion that started in the Barremian reached its
maximum and a regional regression began. TERTIARY (*)
Glauconitic beds and the fossil content sug-
gests a depositional environment of a shallow
water inner shelf. Manantia! Formation

Thickness and Stratigraphic Relationships: The Manantial Formation overlies unconfor-

According to Durham (25) and Haught, Colley
& Belding (27) the Hato Nuevo Formation is
less than 175 meters thick. Morales (39)
states that the Cerrejon-1 well penetrated
31.7 meters of Hato Nuevo Fm.
mably the Hato Nuevo Formation. It crops out
on the west sector of the Rancheria Basin.
Its uppermost part forms the strike ridge
topography observed paralleling the road be-
tween the towns of Hato Nuevo to Cuestecita.

The stratigraphic boundaries with both the

underlying Molino Formation and the overly-
ing Manantial Formation are unconformable.
Durham (25) describes the Hato Nuevo-Ma-
nantial unconformity at Agua Blanca stream,
near the Manantial trail.
Correlation: See correlation chart (Fig. 15).
(*) The stratigraphy of the Tertiary is described here in
less detail than the older formations and refers mainly to
the section at Cerrejon. Emphasis is placed on describing
the coal-bearing Cerrejon Formation and the local structural
geology of the Cerrejon area. The discussion is based on
several internal reports of Intercor, Intercol and Tropical Oil
Company, all of which were made available to the authors
of this paper.
18
Lithology: The formation consists of gray to
brown, fine grained, thin bedded calcareous
sandstones and gray to greenish - gray, siity
and thinly laminated shales. Thick massive
beds of grayish- brown oyster - bearing lime
stones occur in the upper part of the forma
tion. The unit was laid down within a shallow
marine to brackish - water environment.
Age: Based on its stratigraphic position the
Manantial Formation is placed in the Paleo-
cene.
Cerrejon Formation
The coal - bearing Cerrejon Formation con
formably overlies the limestone beds of the
Manantial Formation. The contact between
the two formations is transitional and is
placed at the top of the last thick limestone
bed before the first coal seam occurrence.
The upper contact with the Tabaco Formation
is nonconformable and is placed where the
first massive conglomeratic sandstone ap
pears.
The Cerrejon Fm. is a non - marine sedimen
tary sequence of about 900 meters thick
containing numerous coal seams. The coal is
distributed more or less regularly throughout
its entire stratigraphic column.
Cerrejon Formation is equivalent to, and can
be correlated with, the coal - bearing
Paleocene Delicias Formation of La Jagua
area at the south end of the Cesar basin.
Additionally, it can be correlated with the
Paleocene coal bearing Maracao Formation
of the Guajira basin north of the Oca fault.
Lithology: The Cerrejon Formation consists
essentially of light to dark - gray sandstones,
medium to dark - gray claystones and silts-
tones and dark - gray to black shales. Coal
seams are common. (Fig. 12).
Calcareous and feldspathic sandstones are
found within Block B.
The calcareous sandstones are light- colored
consisting of medium to fine quartz and ig
neous clasts containing muscovite mica.
They are well sorted with a calcareous matrix
and cement. These sandstones usually are
very well indurated and calcite - filled frac
tures are common. Abundant mica, organic
matter and plant remains are found within
bedding planes. These sandstones are also
frequently found interbedded with dark shales
and siltstones, especially in the lower half of
the formation.
The feldspathic sandstones are light to
medium-gray, fine grained and composed of
quartz, feldspar, moscovite mica and varying
amounts of probably metamorphic and vol
canic clasts, all wthin an argillaceous matrix.
These sandstones are usually poorly ce
mented and friable and are frequently inter
bedded with abundant thin layers of black
shale and siltstone.
The siltstones of the Cerrejon Formation are
generally hard, dark - gray to black and made
up of quartz grains, mica and occasionally
organic matter with an argillaceous matrix or
calcareous cement. The claystones are
medium to dark-gray- color with abundant
plant remains and are locally calcareous.
Abundant hriica is found along the bedding
planes. These sandstones are also frequently
found interbedded with dark shales and
siltstones, especially in the lower half of the
formation.
The feldspathic sandstones are light to
medium - gray, fine grained and contain
quartz, feldspar, moscovite mica and varying
amounts of probably metamorphic and vol
canic grains, all in an argillaceous matrix.
These sandstones are usually poorly ce
mented and friable and are frequently inter
bedded with abundant thin layers of black
shale and siltstone.
The siltstones of the Cerrejon Formation are
hard, dark - gray to black and made up of
quartz grains, mica and occasionally organic
matter in an argillaceous matrix or calcareous
cement. The claystones are medium to dark-
gray with abundant plant remains and locally
calcareous. Abundant mica is found along the
bedding planes.
The shales are dark - gray to black, car
bonaceous and frequently contain organic

Fig. 12. Stratigraphic Column Cerrejon
Formation.
matter, plant impressions and plant remains.
Thin, hard limestone layers are sometimes
found near the base of the formation.
In broad terms, about 30% of the Cerrejon
Formation is represented by sandstones and
siltstone, 45% by claystones and shales, 2%
by limestones and 13% by the coal
measures.
Age: The Cerrejon Formation is identified as
Paleocene, based on studies by Tropical Oil
Company and Intercol. Palynological anal
19
ysis carried out during the exploration phase
at the Block B confirm this age.
Environment of Deposition: early Paleocene
time was characterized by widespread shal
low marine limestone deposition which
provided a suitable surface for peat swamp
development as the sea regressed. The Ce
rrejon Formation reflects alternating periods
of rapid subsidence with deposition of elastics
and periods of slow subsidence with peat
deposition. Eleven different paleontological
zones have been distinguished within Block
B, which indicate habitats varying from ma
rine- brackish to fresh - water environments.
The lower half of the Cerrejon Formation
appears to have been laid down in a marine
to brackish - water environment, whereas the
upper part of the Cerrejon was deposited in
a predominantly fresh- water environment.
Analysis of the sulphur content of the coal
seams shows that primary inorganic sulphur
(pyrite) is present in greater amounts in the
lower seams and decreases significantly
toward the top of the formation. Pyrite deposi
tion is particularly favored in a marine -
brackish environment due to the abundance
of sulphate sulphur and ferric ions, coupled
with the action of sulfate - reducing bacteria.
Coal Occurrence: The Cerrejon Formation
contains numerous coal seams distributed
more or less regularly throughout the section.
These coal beds vary in thickness from a few
centimeters to 10 or more meters and locally
up to 26 meters. Thirty to 40 major seams
have been identified and named in those
areas within Block B that are being evaluated
for mining.
In Block B, 55 seams having a thickness
greater than one meter have been identified.
At least 40 seams have sufficient thickness,
areal distribution and continuity to be of inter
est for a large-scale mining operation. Major
seams are identified by a "multiple of 5"
number starting at Seam No. 20 and continu
ing to Seam No. 175. Locally developed or
less well known seams are given inter
mediate numbers, e.g., Seams Nos. 47 and
106.
20
Based on the distribution and thickness of the
coal beds, the Cerrejon Formation has been
sub - divided in three informal members for
purposes of correlation and study:
The lower member is about 180 meters thick
and is characterized by the presence of thin
coal seams (from a few centimeters to 2
meters thick) that are irregularly distributed.
The percentage of claystone and shale is
greater than the percentage of sandstone and
siltstone. Some limestones layers are present
toward the base and middle of the member
and locally reach a thickness of 4 meters.
Sandstones and shale intercalations are fre
quent.
The middle member is about 300 meters thick
and is characterized by the presence of thick
coal beds (.90 to 6 meters) that form a
regularly spaced sequence of seams. The
percentage of sandstone and siltstone is
about equal to the percentage of claystone
and shale.
The upper member is about 400 meters thick
and is characterized by wider seam spacing,
by the presence of the thickest coal seams
within the formation (1.40 to 10.00 meters),
and by a percentage of sandstone and
siltstone that is greater than the percentage
of claystone and shale.
Most of the major coal seams are continuous
throughout the area and do not show extreme
thickness variations. Coal below Seam No.
28, which correspond to the lower member,
is generally thin, variable in thickness and
discontinuous. Seam Nos. 30 to 100 are
constant in thickness and distribution in Block
B, and the spacing between seams is fairly
uniform. The most noticeable discontinuities
in both thickness and distribution are found
between Seam No. 105 and Seam No. 125.
In this zone coal beds are lenticular and show
abrupt changes in thickness. The upper coals
from Seam No. 130 to Seam No. 175 are
again regular and continuous. Above Seam
No. 175, local coal beds may be present.
Generally, the upper and lower contacts of
the coal beds are clearly defined when the
roof and floor are bounded by shale, clays
tone or very fine siltstone. Sometimes trans
itional contacts of shale to very carbonaceous
shale to coal are found. Sharp contacts b e
tween coal and a fine grained sandstone are
seldom noted.
Rock partings are present, ranging from few
centimeters to one meter. These partings are
usually composed of carbonaceous shale or
claystone, very rarely of siltstone or fine
grained sandstone. Splitting of coal seams is
present in several places.
Tabaco Formation
The Tabaco Formation nonconformably over
lies the Cerrejon Formation and is composed
of gray to yellowish-gray conglomeratic
sandstones which probably were deposited
by braided streams. These sandstones show
festoon cross-bedding. Locally the con
glomerates contain abundant chert frag
ments.
On the basis of its stratigraphic position, the
age of the Tabaco Formation, is considered
to be late Paleocene to early Eocene.
Palmito Formation
The Palmito Formation conformably overlies
the Tabaco Formation and consists of light
bluish to greenish claystone with plant im
pressions and plant remains. It is interbedded
with thin sandstones and occasional thin coal
seams.
The age of the Palmito Formation, based on
its stratigraphic position, is thdught to be
Eocene.
Quaternary
Alluvial deposits widely cover the bedrock of
the Cerrejon area and particularly within
Block B. These deposits consist of gravels
containing pebbles of sandstone, limestone,
igneous and metamorphic rocks in an argil
laceous, sandy matrix which locally may be
calcareous and well indurated.

Structural Geology of the Cerrejon
Area
Faults: the most prominent structures are the
Oca, Cerrejon, and the Rancheria faults
(Figs. 13 and 14).
The Oca fault bounds the Rancherfa basin to
the north and truncates abruptly other NE
trending structures of the basin and the Perija
Mountains. This fault trends E-W and has
been interpreted as a transform strike-slip
right lateral fault. The stresses that cause the
Oca fault also resulted in an echelon fold and
fault system, the latter faults appearing to be
high angle reverse.
The Cerrejon fault trends NE - SW and
conforms the boundary between the Perija
Mountains and the Rancheria Valley. This
fault has been interpreted as a high angle
reverse fault on the basis of its straight
surface trace.
QUATERNARY I o|
EOCENE I ft I
I Tpc I Cerrejon Fm.
TERTIARY <
PALEOCENE*
| Tp | Paleocene Undiff
CRETACEOUS
JURA-TRIASSIC
m /
Ul / 4
Fig. 13. Geologic Map of the Cerrejon Area.
21
The Cerrejon fault is offset by strike slip right
lateral faults parallel to the Oca fault.
The Rancheria fault is located toward the
center of the Cerrejon area and trends N E-
SW. This fault has been interpreted as a high
angle reverse fault [Its uplifted southeast
block brings the Cerrejon Formation to the
surface, thus creating a new area of
economic (coal) interest.]
Folds: A number of small local folds occur
within Block B, the main ones being the
Papayal anticline, the Cerrejon anticline and
the Tabaco syncline and anticline.
The Papayal anticline is located within the
down - thrown block of the Rancheria fault.
Its surface expression is defined by outcrops
of Tertiary and Cretaceous limestones (fig.
13).
OCA FAULT
BLOCK B
22
Fig. 14. Cross Sections of the Block B Cerrejon Area.
The Cerrejon anticline is located within the
uplifted block of the Rancheria fault. It is not
well defined on the surface but has been
delineated mainly by drilling.
The Tabaco anticline and syncline are lo
cated in the northern part of the Cerrejon
area, south of the Oca fault. Their surface
expressions are defined by outcrops of the
Tabaco Formation.
Most of the structures of the Cerrejon area
are veiled by a thick alluvial cover. Numerous
other small folds and faults have been defined
by drilling.
REGIONAL TECTONICS
The tectonic behavior or tectonic model of the
Rancheria Basin may be explained in the light
of Plate Tectonics. The Sierra Nevada of
Santa Marta was uplifted as a mountain range
by isostatic contrasts due to the collision
between the South America and Caribbean
plates. The collision of these plates originated
transcurrent movements producing wrench
faults such as the Santa Marta Fault (N 15
W) and the Oca Fault (N 85 W) which are
considered as basement faults.
The Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta was
uplifted as a non - plastic, rigid feature at the
beginning of the Paleocene. Later, compres
sive stresses oriented N 40 W (+10) began
to interact with this recently formed feature
giving birth to the incipient Perija Mountains
and later to a thrust fault system, lineaments
and folds trending N 50E (10) (Fig. 16).
Compressive stresses acting on igneous and
metamorphic rock bodies caused comple
mentary tensile stresses oriented N 15E
( 10).These tensile stresses produced nor
mal faulting, tectonic pattern with folding
oriented N 75 W ( 10). (Fig. 17 and 18).
Fig. 19 is a frequency diagram summarizing
the orientation of 362 measurements of
faults, lineaments and folds in the Rancheria
Basin. The figure shows a well - defined N
55E (A 10) orientation corresponding to a
-essive stress of N 40 W ( 106) and
compressive
a secondary group oriented N 75W ( 10)
corresponding to tensile stresses at N 15E
( 10).
GEOLOGIC EVOLUTION
The oldest rocks known in the area are
gneisses and granulites radiometrically dated
1300 to 752 100 m.y. (Rb/Sr and K/Ar)
and corresponding to the Precambrian
(Proterozoic) of Van Eysinga's (40) geologic

time table. These rocks were affected by high
temperature and pressure regional metamor-
phism. Probably as part of a Precambrian
orogenic belt.
JD.
AGE RANCHERIA
JURASSIC
TRIASSIC
This report. (DAfterGovea, etall975 (22). d)Affer Notestein etal 1944(31). After Morales L.G,et al 1958 (42). After As Venez Geol 143)
Fig. 15. Stratigraphic Correlation Chart.
During Cambro-Ordovician time pelitic
sedimentation with interbedded volcanic
(mafic) lava flow took place. Later high
temperature low pressure regional metamor-
phism affected the sediments, producing
chlorite - actinolite schists, phylites,
quartzites and other metasediments. Sub
sequent to this regional metamorphism,
there was a period of non-deposition or
erosion (Silurian time), representing one of
the phases of the Caledonian Orogeny.
During Early Devonian, a general transgres
sion covering the positive areas uplifted
during the Caledonian Orogeny resulted in a
strong angular unconformity between
Cambro - Ordovician and Devonian sed
iments. The Devonian fauna suggest contin
uous deposition of conglomerate, sandstone,
shale and calcareous shale from Late Lower
Devonian to Early Upper Devonian.
Following Devonian deposition a hiatus en
compassing Late Upper Devonian to Middle
23
Carboniferous time probably represents
another non-depositional or erosional period.
This hiatus coincides with the initial tectonic
phases of the Hercynian orogeny that con-
M_ J8L J&. L
CESAR PERIJA BARCO MIDDLE MAGD
sisted mainly of fault-related processes. The
resulting conspicuous geomorphologic fea
tures presumably permitted erosion to partial
ly destroy the Devonian sediments, leaving
only a few relicts in the areas where they
remained below the erosional base.
At the beginning of Carboniferous (Middle to
Late Pennsylvanian) a new transgression
started, producing clastic sedimentation. This
event was followed by chemical deposition.
The depositional environment at this time
according to the faunal assemblages, was
that of an inner shelf in a shallow sea.
Tectonic events initiated at the end of
Devonian continued during the Carboniferous
and the Permian in the form of vertical move
ments that produced small local downwarps.
During Late Carboniferous a marine regres
sion took place and during the Permian a new
transgression covered these small depres
sions. Clastic facies were developed, fol
lowed by carbonate deposition in the upper
24
part of the sequence, representing a type of
slow basin-filling. The depositional environ
ment was initially near - shore, changing to
inner then outer shelf and producing either
benthonic or planktonic fauna.
The culmination of the Hercynian orogeny
defines the Paleozoic-Mesozoic boundary.
Renewed orogenic and epeirogenic move
ments rapidly uplifted the area and developed
a new series of protobasins and a new cycle
of continental deposition. The La Quinta For
1. -Direction of first order compressive
stresses.
2. -Major component of horizontal stresses.
3. -Major component of second order
%, stresses.
^sf Direction of first order fault and folds.
Fig. 16. Regional Tectonics of NE Colombia.
mation was then deposited unconformably o n
various Paleozoic horizons as the result of a
strong erosional cycle during Late Permian
and Early Triassic time. According to Forero
(3) and (11) there is a sharp boundary b e
tween the marine Paleozoic and the La Quin
ta Formation continental rocks. T h e
sedimentary characteristics, thickness a n d
facies changes of La Quinta Formation a r e
due to a pre - existing topographic relief,
indicating synsedimentary fault block t e c
tonics. Brief periods of strong tectonic activity
NEVADODEL COCUY\
5500 m.
\s System of transverse faults and
Vi"tension structures.
Eggs Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
, , . - .... ^ . . . . _ ..
E I D Cordillera Oriental and Per.ja
f::v>:I Upper Guajira
^_^ Cordilleran Axis

90 270-
180
Fig. 17. Frequency Diagram Fig. 18. Frequency Diagram
Showing Orientation of Faults. Showing Orientation of
Structural Axes.
produced massive, short traveled, rapidly
deposited conglomerates. The influence of
climatic and oxidizing conditions on the sed
iments produced a "redbed" type sequence.
During the deposition of the redbeds post -
orogenic volcanic activity (both extrusive and
explosive, mainly of a felsic type) took place,
thus explaining the presence of interbedded
rhyolitic tuffs in the La Quinta Formation.
During early Middle Jurassic or shortly there
after, or perhaps during La Quinta deposition,
igneous intrusive activity took place. Felsic
and intermediate batholiths were emplaced
mainly in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta
area. The radiometric age of these bodies
fluctuates between 129-175 m.y. (Middle
Jurassic to early Cretaceous).
Post-La Quinta events are represented by a
sedimentary hiatus in the Late Jurassic and
Early Cretaceous. It is possible that during
this time the area was subsiding and that
epirogenic movements caused transgression
during Barremian (?) time, thus starting a new
marine sedimentary cycle. This interpretation
is in accordance with the idea of Etayo, et al
(41) that the southwest and northeast ad
vancing seas intermingled across in this
region in about early Aptian time. The
presence of an old high, located in the Valle-
dupar area is apparent on several seismic
lines and on the Bouguer gravity maps.
This subsidence appears to have advanced
from east to west toward the continental
areas, resulting in a Lower Cretaceous un
conformity over La Quinta Fm. and older
rocks.
25
180
Fig. 19. Frequency Diagram
Showing Fault trend.
The Rio Negro Formation was initially
deposited in a continental environment that
later changed transitionally to a littoral en
vironment.
Downwarping continued and by Middle Bar-
remian time. A marine depositional environ
ment was finally developed. Carbonate
sedimentation of chemical origin became
predominant in the inner to outer shelf of a
low energy tropical sea. This depositional
environment prevailed from the Middle Bar-
remian to the Coniacian, depositing lime
stones and calcareous, organic - rich shales.
Under these conditions Lagunita, Aguas
Blancas and La Luna Formations were
deposited.
With the deposition of La Luna Formation
(Santonian ?), the subsidence attained its
maximum rate. The environment changed
substantially, producing the bathyal deposi
tion of the predominantly shaly Molino Form
ation. This deep marine depositional
environment continued through the Cam-
panian. At the end of the Campanian, a slow
Cretaceous regression begun. During this
regressive cycle, shales and interbedded
limestones (the Hato Nuevo Formation) were
deposited in a shallow marine, inner shelf
environment, followed by a shale - sandstone
sequence (the Manantial Formation) that was
deposited in a near - shore transitional to tidal
line or coastal lagoon environment.
At the end of the Middle Paleocene the
Rancheria Valley was partially positive and
continental conditions of deposition
26
prevailed. Subsequent uplift caused a strong
erosional cycle in the area.
It is possible that during the Early Paleocene
the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta started to
develop as a positive area, caused by isos-
tatic movements due to the Caribbean - South
America Plate collision.
In the Upper Paleocene a new sedimentary
cycle took place. Fine grained carbonaceous
sandstones, carbonaceous sandstones, car
bonaceous shales and coal beds were
deposited (the Cerrejon Formation). The
depositional environment of this formation is
paludal with abundant vegetation providing
the organic material.
Starting with the Middle Eocene, the area
began to develop an alluvial plain character.
Argillaceous sandstones and conglomerates
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Asociacion Venezolana de Geologfa, Miner fa
y Petroleo. 1963. (43).
"Carta de correlacion unidades
estratigraficas de Venezuela". Boletfn
Informativo, Asociacion Venezolana de
Geologfa, Mineriay Petroleo, Volumen
6, No. 11, Caracas.
Bolli, H 1966. (33).
"Zonation of Cretaceous to Pliocene
marine sediments based on planktonic
foraminifera". Boletfn Informativo
Asociacion- Venezolana de Geologfa,
Minerfa y Petroleo, Volumen 9, No.1,
paginas 3-32, Caracas.
Burgl, H. 1964 (15).
"El Jura-Triasico de Colombia". Boletfn
Geologico, Servicio Geologico
Nacional, Volumen 12, Nos. 1-3,
were deposited in channels (the Tabaco for
mation). This was the final sedimentary cycle
in the Rancherfa Valley. After Tabaco Form
ation deposition, a series of events may have
occurred that are difficult to define due to the
hiatus that prevailed from the Late Eocene to
the Pliocene. During this period strong
orogenic activity, uplifting, folding and fault
ing probably took place. The Sierra Nevada
was completely uplifted to its present position
and wrench faults occurred due to the plate
collision, e.g., the Santa Marta and Oca
faults. Later, a compressive stress system
oriented N 40 W (10) took place. The Perija
Mountains were uplifted due to these com
pressive forces.
Toward the end of the Pliocene new orogenic
movements occurred and the area attained
its present configuration. Finally, alluvial
fans, terraces and alluvial plains formed the
present day cover of the Rancherfa Valley.
Enero-Diciembre, paginas 5 - 3 1 ,
Bogota.
Cediel, F. 1968 (16).
"El Grupo Giron, una molaza
Mesozoica de la Cordillera Oriental".
Boletfn Geologico, Servicio Geologico
Nacional, Volumen XVI, Nos. 1-3,
Enero-Diciembre, paginas 5-96.
Bogota.
Durham, J. 1946 (25).
"Stratigraphy of the Cesar-Rancheria
Valleys and the Guajira Penfnsula".
Geological Report No. 539, Tropical Oil
Company, 29 paginas, Bogota.
Etayo, F. 1964. (35).
"Posicion de las faunas en los
depositos cretacicos colombianos y su

valor en la subdivision cronologica de
los mismos". Boletfn de Geologfa,
Universidad Industrial de Santander,
Nos. 16-17, paginas 5-141.
Bucaramanga.
Etayo, F., Renzoni, G. and Barrero, D. 1969
(41).
"Contornos sucesivos del mar
Cretaceo en Colombia". Memoria,
Primer Congreso Colombiano de
Geologfa, Universidad Nacional de
Colombia, paginas 217-253, Bogota.
Forero, A. 1969, (11).
Nuevos datos estratigraficos del
Paleozoico y Mezosoico en el norte de
los Andes". Memoria, Primer Congreso
Colombiano de Geologfa, Universidad
Nacional de Colombia, paginas 97-
109, Bogota.
Forero, A. 1970 (3).
"Estratigraffa del Pre-Cretaceo en el
flanco occidental de la Serrania del
Perija". Geologfa Colombiana, Univer
sidad Nacional de Colombia, No. 7,
paginas 7-78, Bogota.
Garner, A. 1926 (29).
"Suggested nomenclature and correla
tion of the geological formations in
Venezuela". AM. Inst. Min. Metall.
Eng., Tr., p. 677-684, New York.
Govea, C. y Duefias, E. 1975 (22).
"Informe Geologico Preliminar de la
Cuenca del Cesar". Informe Geologico
No. 390, Empresa Colombiana de
Petroleos, 37 paginas, Bogota.
Hart, B. 1958 (12).
"The Cretaceous of Northeastern
Colombia". Geological Report No. 256,
Shell Condor, Bogota.
Haught, L, Colley, B. 1945 (27).
"Geology of the Cesar - Rancherfa Val
ley and Commissary of and Belding, H.
Guajira". Geological Report No. 449,
Tropical Oil Company, 45 paginas,
Bogota.
27
Hedberg, D., and Sass, L. 1931 (23).
Synopsis of the geologic formations of
the western part of the Maracaibo
Basin, Venezuela". Boletin Geologico
de Minas, Servicio Tecnologico de
Minas y Geologia de Venezuela,
Volumen 1, Nos. 2-4, paginas 77-120,
Caracas.
Hedberg, D. 1931 (18).
"Cretaceous limestone as petroleum
source rock in n o r t h w e s t e r n
Venezuela". Bulletin of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists,
Volume 15, No. 3, paginas 22f-244,
Tulsa.
Kugler, H. and Bolli, H. 1967 (32).
"Cretaceous bioestratigraphy of
T r i n i d a d " . Boletfn informaitivo,
Asociacion Venezolana de Geologfa,
Minerfa y Petroleo, Volumen 10, No.8,
paginas 209-236, Caracas.
Kunding, E. 1938 (12).
"The Pre-Cretaceous rocks of the
Central Venezuelan Andes with some
remarks about the tectonics". Boletfn
Geologico y de Minas, Servicio Tec
nologico de Minas y Geologfa de
Venezuela, Tomo 2, No. 2-4, paginas
21-43, Caracas.
Liddle, R., Harris, G. and Wells, J. 1943 (2).
"The Rfo Cachirf section in the Sierra
de Perija, Venezuela". Bulletin of the
American Paleontologists, Volume 27,
No. 108, Paginas 271-368, Ithaca.
Lill, R. and Nugent, J. 1950. (19).
"Geology of the East Cesar Valley".
Geological Report No. 1009. Tropical
Oil Company, 55 paginas, Bogota.
Miller, J. 1960 (13).
"Directrices tectonicas en la Sierra de
Perija y partes adyacentes de
Venezuela y Colombia". Boletfn
Geologico, Ministerio de Minas e
Hidrocarburos, Publicacion Especial
No. 3, Memorias Tercer Congreso de
Geologfa, Tomo 2 paginas 685-718,
Caracas.
28
Miller, J. 1962 (14).
"Tectonic trends in Sierra de Perija and
adjacent parts of Venezuela and
Colombia". Bulletin of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists
Volume 46, No. 9, paginas 1565-1595.
Tulsa.
Miller, A., and Williams, J. 1945 (7).
"Permiam cephalopods from northern
Colombia". Journal of Paleontology,
Volumen 19, No. 4 paginas 347-349,
Tulsa.
Morales, L G. 1950 (39).
"Registro grafico compuesto, pozo
Cerrejon No. 1" Escala 1:1.200. Tropi
cal Oil Company, Bogota.
Morales, L G., et al. 1958 (42).
"General geology and oil occurrences
of Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia"
In: Habitat of Oil, Symposium of
American Association of Petroleum
Geologists, paginas 641-695. Tulsa.
Notestein. F., Hubman, W., and Bowler, J.
1944 (30).
"Geology of the Barco Concession,
Republic of Colombia, SouthAmerica".
Bulletin of the Geological Society of
America, Volume 55, No. 10, paginas
1165-1215, New York.
Petters, V. 1950 (26).
"Micro and megafaunas from the Cesar
and from the northern part of the middle
Magdalena Valley". Paleontological
note No. 88. Tropical Oil Company, 41
paginas, Bogota.
Petters, V. 1954. (28).
"Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous
foraminifera from Colombia, South
America".- Contribution, Cushman
Foundation Foraminifera Research,
Volume 5, part 1, No. 99, pagina 37-
41, Washington.
Porta, J. de 1974 (38).
"Formacion Guasare" y "Formacion El
Cerrejon". En: Lexico Estratigrafico de
Colombia, Fascfculo 46, paginas 207-
293, Paris.
Radelli, L 1962 (9).
"Acerca de la geologia de la Serranfa
de Perija entre Codazzi y Villanueva".
Geologia Colombiana Universidad
Nacional de Colombia, No. 1, paginas
23-41, Bogota.
Radelli, L 1967 (10).
"Geologie des Andes Colombiennes".
Tesis Facultad de Ciencias, Univer
sidad de Grenoble, 455 paginas,
Grenoble.
Renz (1960) 1960(37).
"Geologia de la parte sureste de la
peninsula de la Guajira (Republica de
Colombia)". Ministerio de Minas e
Hidrocarburos, Public, especial No. 3,
Memorias Tercer congreso Geol.
Venezuela. T.1 paginas 317-349,
Caracas.
Richards, H. 1967 (20).
"Cretaceous section in the Barco area
of Norheastern Colombia". Bulletin of
the American Association of Petroleum
Geologists, Tulsa.
Rojas, O. 1968 (21).
"Geological reconnaissance in the
Cesar Valley and eastern Lower Mag
dalena Valley". Geological Report No.
363, Colombian Petroleum Company,
30 paginas, Bogota.
Thompson, M. and Miller, A. 1949 (8).
"Permian fusulinids and cephalopods
from the vecinity of the Maracaibo
Basin in northern South America".
Journal of Paleontology, Volume 23,
No. 1, paginas 1-24, Tulsa.
Trumpy, D. 1945 (5).
"Pre-Cretaceous of Colombia". Bulletin
of the Geological Society of America,
Volume 54, paginas 1281-1304, New
York.
Trumpy, D. 1949 (6).
"Geology of Colombia". Geological

Report, No. 193, Shell Condor, 159 paginas,
The Hague.
Tschanz, C , Jimeno, A. and Cruz J. 1969
(1)-
"Mapa geologico de reconocimienfo de
la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta",
escala 1:200.000, Instituto Nacional de
Investigaciones Geologico- Mineras,
Bogota.
Van der Hammen, Th. 1958 (31).
"Estratigrafia del Terciario y Maastrich-
tiano continentales y tectogenesis de
los Andes Colombianos". Boletfn
ROAD LOG
Friday, April 18,1980
The group will arrive at the Buenavista
military airport where a chartered bus awaits.
We will leave immediately thereafter and will
travel northerly during approximately 1-1/2
hours until we reach El Cerrejon. There, an
in-field conference will be presented covering
the historical, explorational and operational
development of the area. In the afternoon a
rapid visit to the Intercor and Carbocol camp
installations and selected outcrops will be
made. At the end of the first day and on our
way back to Valledupar we will make Stop #
1, west of Distraccion and along the
Rancheria River Valley.
STOP 1 Excellent exposures of the almost
complete Cretaceous section, which will be
studied in detail on the second day. La Luna,
Aguas Blancas and Lagunita formations are
exposed here. End of the first day. The
Society will sponsor a "Happy Hour" in the
Hotel Sicarare lounge, starting at 7:00 p.m.
29
Geologico, Instituto Geografico Nacio
nal, Volumen VI, Nos. 1-3, paginas
67-128, Bogota.
Van Eysinga, F. 1975 (40).
"Geological Time Table". Elsevier
Scientific Publishing Company, 3rd.
Edition, Amsterdam.
Wokittel, R. 1957 (4).
"Bosquejo geografico y geologico de la
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta y la
Serrania de Perija". Boletfn Geologico,
Instituto Geologico Nacional, Volumen
V, No. 3, paginas 29-49, Bogota.
Saturday, April 19,1980
(Distances measured from the customs post
near La Paz).
Km. 0
STOP 2 Here we have the opportunity to
observe the gradational contact between
Aguas Blancas and Lagunita formations. In
tercalated beds 10 to 50 centimeters thick of
micritic limestones, marls and gray cal
careous shales crop out. Ammonites and
other assorted shell fragments can be found.
Km.1.0
Village of La Paz
Km.2.30
STOP 3 We are now at the contact between
the Lagunita and La Quinta formations. At this
stop the basal unit of Lagunita Fm. consists
of ligh gray, calcareous rocks and micritic
boulders in a calcareous clayrich matrix. La
Quinta Fm. consists of volcanoclastic sedi-
30
Fig. 20. Geologic Map of West-Fonseca Area.
ments of characteristic red color. The deposi-
tional environment of the basal Lagunita is
postulated to be middle to outer shelf condi
tions. Could this unit represent a patch reef?
Km.4.80
Intersection of the main highway with the road
leading to San Jose de Oriente.
Km.6.90
Bridge over the Manaure River.
Km.9.20
STOP 4 Excellent exposure of the limestone
sequence of Aguas Blancas Formation.
Thickly bedded, light to dark gray, micritic
limestones are interbedded with thin marl
layers. Note the strong bituminous odor of the
limestones and their vertical jointing.
Km.10.8
STOP 5 Good view of the contact between
the Aguas Blancas and Lagunita formations.
Note the broad syncline formed by the Aguas
Blancas Formation.
Km.11.8
STOP 6 At this locality we can see to the west
the so-called Quita - Frio Fault. At the top of
the escarpment is the Aguas Blancas Forma
tion, which grades downward into the
Lagunita Formation. Toward the base of the
escarpment volcanoclastic sediments of the
La Quinta Formation appear. The Rio Negro
Formation crops out immediately to the east
of the stop point. Here we have a tan to yellow
- brownish polymictic conglomerate consist
ing of granules and gravels of mostly vol
canoclastic and sandstones fragments in a
fine grained, calcareous sandstone matrix.
Km.13.9
STOP 7 This outcrop displays a sequence of
fine to medium grained, red sandstones in
terbedded with red siltstones and occasional
limestone lenses of La Quinta Formation.
Note the calcareous concretions and some
shrinkage mud cracks. A transitional environ
ment of deposition is postulated.
Km.14.3
STOP 8 Here we can see exposed a se
quence of arkosic coarse grained, hard,
poorly - shorted sandstones, with charac
teristic conglomeratic clasts lenses contain
ing well rounded clasts. These layers are
believed to be the basal part of the Rio Negro
Formation (?) or the transitional contact with
the underlying La Quinta Formation.
 31

QUATERNARY

PALEOCENE
m LOWER CRETACEOUS | Kir I Rio Negro Fm.

TRIASSIC-JURASSIC I JTQ | La Quinta Fm.

| Tpm | Manantial Fm.
PERMIAN | P | Manaure Fm.

UPPER CRETACEOUS [ Ksm | Molino Fm.

CARBO DEVONIAN | CD | Cachiri Group
[ Ksl | La Luna Fm
CAMBRORDOVICIAN \ Q I Perija Series

MIDDLE CRETACEOUS | Kma | Aguas Blancas Fm.

I Kml | Lagunita Fm.

Fig. 21. Geologic Map of La Paz-Manaure Section.

Km.17.1 End of this section. Return to Valledupar via

STOP 9 Manaure quarry. We have now
crossed the entire Lagunita Formation and at
this point we are at the top of the Aguas
Blancas Formation. Here we observe inter-
bedded gray to yellow, micritic and argil
laceous limestones with light - gray marls and
yellowish-gray calcareous shales.
the same road, where we will visit:
STOP11 "Piscina Hurtado", a natural pool on
Guatapurf River, northwest of Valledupar.
Excellent exposures of felsic crystalline base
ment of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Maria
complex.

Km.17.5
Village of Manaure. End of the second day. Core Lab will invite
the group to a "Vallenato" barbecue and
cocktail party in the typical restaurant ad
Km.18.9 jacent the natural pool.
Bridge over the Manaure River.

Sunday, April 20,1980

Km.19.3
STOP 10 We have now entered the Paleozoic
massif and older rocks. At this locality, lower Bus leaves Hotel for Valledupar airport for
Paleozoic quartzites are exposed. 8:00 a.m. take-off to Bogota.