The Cretaceous Limestones of Jamaica and their Mollusca

Abstract

Most of the exposures of Cretaceous Limestone in Jamaica were faithfully indicated on the Geological Survey map of Sawkins and Brown in 1865. They are limited in extent and occur at certain places among the complex of the older or Blue Mountain series of rocks that project from beneath the covering of White Limestone that covers the greater part of the Island. Contrary to one's common experience in many European countries the Cretaceous beds in Jamaica do not approach the sea coast in any part except near Port Antonio on the north-east coast, where the Trappean shales reach the sea; near St. Ann's Bay, about the centre; and at Green Island, on the north-west coast, where the Barrettia Limestone occurs within 2 miles of the sea. Elsewhere the sea coast is occupied by the White Limestone or beds that overlie it, with the exception of stretches along the north coast around Lucea Harbour and between Port Maria and Annotta Bay, occupied by the Carbonaceous Shales of Lower Eocene age.