Geology of Cuba (Regional Geology Reviews)

The evolution of geological cartography in Cuba in its more than 135 years of history has been possible through the consultation of numerous archival reports, publications, maps and personal interviews with different authors and geologists of vast experience. A brief critical analysis is made of the increase in the degree of geological knowledge of the country since the elaboration of the Geological Sketch of the Cuban Island at a scale of 1: 2 000 000 (Fernández de Castro, 1883), first of Cuba and of Ibero-America, until the most recent Digital Geological Map of Cuba at scale 1: 100 000 (Pérez Aragón, 2016). Cuba and its surroundings are a geological mosaic in the southeast corner of the North American plate with rocks from many different origins, from Proterozoic to Quaternary, extended along the southern border of the plate. From the Eocene, this belt has been dissected by several great faults, related to the development of some great oceanic depressions (Cayman trough and Yucatan basin). The fossil record of Cuba, which covers approximately the last 200 million years of life on Earth, is rich in very varied fossils, witnessing a wide diversity of organisms, both animals and plants, that inhabited the Antillean and Caribbean region; and that constitute the inheritance of the biological diversity that the current Cuban archipelago exhibits. As a result of the preparation of the Cuban Metallogenic Map at scale 1: 250 000, forty-one models and eight sub-models of metallic mineral deposits were identified. These models, of descriptive–genetic type, together with the analysis of their spatial distribution and their relationship with geology, allowed the identification and mapping of ten mineral systems, linked to the geodynamic environments present in the Cuban territory. Cuba has large deposits of limestone, loam, dolomite, kaolin, gypsum and anhydrite, rock salt, marbles, sands and clays of different types, zeolites, peat, therapeutic peloids and many more. There are manifestations of decorative and precious rocks such as jasper, jadeite, different varieties of quartz and even xylopals. A compilation of geochemical data of oceanic basalt samples from previous works, together with data of analyzed samples during this study in order to discuss geochemical criteria based on immobile element (proxies for fractionation indices, alkalinity, mantle flow and subduction addition), provide a comprehensive ophiolite classification according to their tectonic setting. This book addresses different facets of the geological knowledge of Cuba: history of its cartography, marine geology, fossil record, stratigraphy, tectonics, classification of its ophiolites, quaternary deposits, metallogeny and minerageny. Foreword Preface Contents Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables 1 Geological Cartography of Cuba Abstract 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Materials and Methods 1.3 Results 1.4 Discussion 1.4.1 Geological Maps at General Exploratory Scales (1:2000000–1:1000000) 1.4.2 Geological Maps at Regional Recognizance Scales (1:500000–1:250000) 1.4.2.1 Geological Maps at Semi-detailed Scales (1:100000–1:50000) 1.4.2.2 Geological Maps at Detailed Scales (1:25000–1:10000) 1.4.3 The Human Resources and Some Interesting Statistics 1.4.4 Cartageol 50 K, the New Geological Map of Cuba at 1:50000 Scale 1.5 Conclusions Acknowledgments References 2 Geology of the Marine Territory of Cuba Abstract 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Theoretical Framework 2.3 Materials and Methods 2.4 Results 2.4.1 Morphogenetic Complexes and Relief Forms 2.4.2 Stratigraphy 2.4.3 Neotectonic 2.4.4 Geological Evolution 2.4.5 Mineral Resources 2.5 Conclusions Acknowledgements References 3 Synthesis of Fossil Record of Cuba—A Bibliographic Compilation Abstract 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Theoretical Framework 3.2.1 General Characteristics 3.2.2 Conserved Fossil Entities 3.2.3 Sizes of the Fossil Entities 3.2.4 Coloration of Materials 3.3 Materials and Methods 3.4 Results and Discussion 3.4.1 Composition of the Fossil Record of Cuba 3.4.1.1 Jurassic Period 3.4.1.2 Cretaceous Period 3.4.1.3 Paleogene Period 3.4.1.4 Neogene Period 3.4.1.5 Quaternary Period 3.4.2 Major Contributions to the Paleontology of Cuba 3.4.2.1 Contributions on the Jurassic Period 3.4.2.2 Contributions on the Cretaceous Period 3.4.2.3 Contributions on the Paleogene Period 3.4.2.4 Contributions on the Neogene Period 3.4.2.5 Contributions on the Quaternary Period 3.4.2.6 Another Works Related 3.5 Conclusions Acknowledgements Reference 4 Stratigraphy of Cuba Abstract 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Theoretical Framework 4.3 Materials and Methods 4.4 Results and Discussion 4.4.1 Rocks of the Metamorphic Basement Raised by Faults 4.4.1.1 Synrift Sediments (Late Triassic-Upper Jurassic Oxfordian) 4.4.1.2 San Cayetano Formation [17] 4.4.1.3 Late Synrift: Middle Jurassic Callovian—Upper Jurassic Kimmeridgian 4.4.1.4 Middle Jurassic Callovian—Upper Jurassic Oxfordian, Castellanos Formation 4.4.1.5 Middle Oxfordian Upper Part—Upper Oxfordian Lower Part, Francisco Formation 4.4.1.6 Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian Lower Part, Constancia Formation 4.4.1.7 North American Continental Margin Paleogeographic Domain in the Westernmost Part of Cuba 4.4.1.8 La Esperanza TSU [25] 4.4.1.9 Tectonostratigraphic Unit Sierra De Los Órganos [25] 4.4.1.10 Tectonostratigraphic Unit Sierra Del Rosario [25] 4.4.1.11 North American Continental Margin North of the Island of Cuba and Its Marine Zone from the North of Artemisa to the North of Holguín 4.4.1.12 Placetas TSU [31] 4.4.1.13 Paleocanal Cayo Coco TSU and Remedios TSU [33] 4.4.1.14 Remedios TSU [33] 4.4.1.15 Camajuaní TSU [31] 4.4.2 Paleogeographic Domain of the Cretaceous Volcanic Arc, Zaza TSU [39] 4.4.3 Late Aptian–Campanian, Intrusive Magmatic Rocks of the Cretaceous Volcanic Arc 4.4.4 Cuban Metamorphic Rocks 4.4.5 Paleogene System in Cuba 4.4.5.1 PD of the Paleogene Volcanic Arc (Arco Turquino) 4.4.5.2 Neogene and Quaternary Systems 4.5 Conclusions Acknowledgments References 5 An Overview to the Tectonics of Cuba Abstract 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Materials and Methods 5.3 Results and Discussion 5.3.1 The Premesozoic Basement. Precambrian and Paleozoic Rocks 5.3.2 The Mesozoic Basement 5.3.2.1 The Passive Mesozoic Continental Margin of North America (NAP) 5.3.2.2 The Northern Ophiolitic Belt (NOB) 5.3.2.3 The Cretaceous Volcanic Arc Terrane 5.3.2.4 The Cretaceous/Paleogene Boundary Event Deposits and Paleogeography in Western and Central Cuba 5.3.2.5 The Southern Metamorphic Terranes (SMT) 5.3.3 The Paleogene Folded and Thrusted Belt 5.3.3.1 The Early–Middle Paleogene Foreland Basin 5.3.3.2 The Piggyback Basins (PBB) 5.3.3.3 The Turquino–Cayman Ridge Volcanic Arc 5.3.3.4 The Central Oriente Intramountainous Eocene Basin (COEB) 5.3.4 The Eocene–Quaternary Cover 5.4 Some Comments on Certain Regional Structures 5.4.1 The Oriente Fault Zone 5.4.2 A Joint Study of the Regional Neotectonics and Well Data in Western Cuba 5.5 Conclusions Acknowledgements References 6 Geochemical Fingerprinting of Ancient Oceanic Basalts: Classification of the Cuban Ophiolites Abstract 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Materials and Methods 6.3 Results 6.3.1 Rock-Type Signature 6.3.2 Geochemical Fingerprint 6.3.3 Ophiolite Classification 6.4 Discussion on the Tectonic Setting 6.5 Conclusions Acknowledgements References 7 Stratigraphy of the Quaternary Deposits in Cuba Abstract 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Materials and Methods 7.3 Results 7.4 Discussion 7.5 Upper Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene 7.6 Lower Pleistocene 7.7 Middle Pleistocene 7.8 Upper Pleistocene 7.9 Early Upper Pleistocene 7.10 Late Upper Pleistocene 7.11 Undifferentiated Quaternary 7.12 Holocene 7.13 Conclusions Acknowledgements References 8 Mineral Systems of Cuba: A Panoramic Vision of Cuban Metallogeny Abstract 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Materials and Methods 8.3 Results 8.4 Discussion 8.4.1 Continental Margins. The Mafic-Siliciclastic VMS–SEDEX-MVT of the Distensive Basin J-K1 Mineral System 8.4.2 Island Volcanic Arcs 8.4.3 Collision Mineral Systems 8.4.4 Metallic Mineralization in Ophiolites 8.4.5 Intraplate Environment 8.4.6 General Facts of Cuban Metallogeny 8.4.7 Knowledge Gaps 8.5 Conclusions Acknowledgements References 9 The Minerageny of Cuba Abstract 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Theoretical Frame 9.2.1 The Mineragenic Science 9.2.2 Cuban Geologic Scenarios 9.2.3 Cuban Advances in Mineragenic Science 9.3 Materials and Methods 9.3.1 Classification of Rocks and Industrial Minerals 9.3.2 The Cuban Industrial Minerals Database 9.3.3 The Cuban Industrial Minerals Study Grade 9.3.4 Applicability and Perspectives of Cuban Industrial Minerals 9.4 Results 9.4.1 Distribution of Rocks and Industrial Minerals in the Different Geo-Structural Contexts 9.4.1.1 Accreted Ancient Terranes 9.4.1.2 Caribbean Plate Terranes 9.4.1.3 Cenozoic Sedimentary Cover 9.4.2 Genetic Description of Cuban Rocks and Industrial Minerals 9.4.2.1 The Pyroclastic-Sedimentary Group 9.4.2.2 The Skarn-Hydrothermal Group 9.4.2.3 The Magmatic Group 9.4.2.4 The Sedimentary Group 9.4.2.5 The Metamorphic Group 9.4.2.6 The Supergenic Group 9.5 Conclusions Acknowledgements References "The evolution of geological cartography in Cuba in its more than 135 years of history has been possible through the consultation of numerous archival reports, publications, maps and personal interviews with different authors and geologists of vast experience. A brief critical analysis is made of the increase in the degree of geological knowledge of the country since the elaboration of the Geological Sketch of the Cuban Island at a scale of 1: 2 000 000 (Fernandez de Castro, 1883), first of Cuba and of Ibero-America, until the most recent Digital Geological Map of Cuba at scale 1: 100 000 (Perez Aragon, 2016). Cuba and its surroundings are a geological mosaic in the southeast corner of the North American plate with rocks from many different origins, from Proterozoic to Quaternary, extended along the southern border of the plate. From the Eocene, this belt has been dissected by several great faults, related to the development of some great oceanic depressions (Cayman trough and Yucatan basin). The fossil record of Cuba, which covers approximately the last 200 million years of life on Earth, is rich in very varied fossils, witnessing a wide diversity of organisms, both animals and plants, that inhabited the Antillean and Caribbean region; and that constitute the inheritance of the biological diversity that the current Cuban archipelago exhibits. As a result of the preparation of the Cuban Metallogenic Map at scale 1: 250 000, forty-one models and eight sub-models of metallic mineral deposits were identified. These models, of descriptivegenetic type, together with the analysis of their spatial distribution and their relationship with geology, allowed the identification and mapping of ten mineral systems, linked to the geodynamic environments present in the Cuban territory. Cuba has large deposits of limestone, loam, dolomite, kaolin, gypsum and anhydrite, rock salt, marbles, sands and clays of different types, zeolites, peat, therapeutic peloids and many more. There are manifestations of decorative and precious rocks such as jasper, jadeite, different varieties of quartz and even xylopals. A compilation of geochemical data of oceanic basalt samples from previous works, together with data of analyzed samples during this study in order to discuss geochemical criteria based on immobile element (proxies for fractionation indices, alkalinity, mantle ow and subduction addition), provide a comprehensive ophiolite classification according to their tectonic setting. This book addresses different facets of the geological knowledge of Cuba: history of its cartography, marine geology, fossil record, stratigraphy, tectonics, classification of its ophiolites, quaternary deposits, metallogeny and minerageny"--Back cover