Geosynclinal sequences of the Cordillera de Guaniguanico in western Cuba; their lithostratigraphy, facies development, and paleogeography

Abstract

Jurassic to Paleogene lithostratigaphic units of the Cardillera de Guaniguanico, western Cuba, are formally described. The lithostratigraphic pattern includes ViÔales Group subdivided into 5 formations; 9 other formations have not been clustered into any groups. Some formations are further subdivided. The new lithostratigraphic units are correlated with those recognized previously by other authors. The formations are considered within a framework of 4 stratigraphic sequence. One of these sequences occurs in the Sierra de los Organos, the others are in the Sierra del Rosario. The sequences correspond to distinct facies belts of the western part of Greater Antilles geosyncline. In the sequence of Sierra de los Organos, deltaic sedimentation was followed by Late Jurassic shallow-water carbonate sedimentation. The latter sedimentation type influenced also the southern sequence of Sierra del Rosario. The carbonate bank submerged in the Tithonian. Then, carbonate pelagic facies spread throughout; the Cordillera de Guaniguanico. During the Early Cretaceous, the facies development in particular stratigraphic sequences became again variable. Deep-water sedimentation started in the Sierra del Rosario; in the northern sequence, it persisted up to the end of the Cretaceous. Pelagic, flysch, and rudaceous sediments were deposited in various facies belts during the Cretaceous. In the sequence of Siena de los Organos, the Late Paleocene to Erly Eocene sedimentation took place under the conditions of an increasing tectonic activity. Relation of the stratigraphic sequences of Cordillera de Guaniguanico to tectonic processes is also considered.