The Quebradillas Limestone (Miocene-Pliocene), northern Puerto Rico, and tectonics of the northeastern Caribbean margin

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1987 The Quebradillas Limestone (Miocene-Pliocene), northern Puerto Rico, and tectonics of the northeastern Caribbean margin MOUNIR T. MOUSSA; MOUNIR T. MOUSSA 1Chevron U.S.A. Inc., P.O. Box 599, Denver, Colorado 80201 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GEORGE A. SEIGLIE; GEORGE A. SEIGLIE 2Chevron U.S.A. Inc., P.O. Box 1635, Houston, Texas 77251 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar ARTHUR A. MEYERHOFF; ARTHUR A. MEYERHOFF Consultant 3P.O. Box 4602, Tuba, Oklahoma 74159 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar IRFAN TANER IRFAN TANER Consultant 3P.O. Box 4602, Tuba, Oklahoma 74159 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information MOUNIR T. MOUSSA 1Chevron U.S.A. Inc., P.O. Box 599, Denver, Colorado 80201 GEORGE A. SEIGLIE 2Chevron U.S.A. Inc., P.O. Box 1635, Houston, Texas 77251 ARTHUR A. MEYERHOFF Consultant 3P.O. Box 4602, Tuba, Oklahoma 74159 IRFAN TANER Consultant 3P.O. Box 4602, Tuba, Oklahoma 74159 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1987) 99 (3): 427–439. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1987)99<427:TQLMNP>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation MOUNIR T. MOUSSA, GEORGE A. SEIGLIE, ARTHUR A. MEYERHOFF, IRFAN TANER; The Quebradillas Limestone (Miocene-Pliocene), northern Puerto Rico, and tectonics of the northeastern Caribbean margin. GSA Bulletin 1987;; 99 (3): 427–439. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1987)99<427:TQLMNP>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The uppermost formation of the limestone belt of northern Puerto Rico is herein redesignated the "Quebradillas Limestone." A type section is established within the original type locality north of the town of Quebradillas. As here redefined, the Quebradillas Limestone consists of a limestone sequence overlying the uppermost Amphistegina-algal limestone of the "Aymamón limestone" along Highway 2 north of the town of Quebradillas. The formation consists of three types of limestone biomicrite which form the basis for subdividing the formation into three members. The lower member consists of globigerine biomicrite and is 16 m thick. In many areas, the lower member contains thin beds of oyster shells and shell fragments inter-bedded within marl. Both the matrix of the oyster-bearing beds and the marl are rich in planktonic foraminifers. The middle member is essentially Operculinoides biomicrite and is slightly <12 m thick. The upper member is Amphistegina-algal biomicrite, and its thickness is estimated to be 44 ± 4 m. The threefold subdivision has been recognized throughout the outcrop belt of the formation from the west coast of the island eastward to Barceloneta; it probably applies to the easternmost outcrops as well.The Quebradillas-"Aymamón" boundary is an erosional unconformity between the two formations. The globigerine limestone of the lower member of the Quebradillas fills solution cavities in the uppermost "Aymamón," and in places, the upper "Aymamón" shows marked relief. Most of the Quebradillas is Pliocene in age, although part of the lower member may be latest Miocene. The Quebradillas Limestone is a regressive sequence. The lower member represents a lower neritic to upper bathyal environment; the middle member, an outer shelf environment; and the upper member, a forereef, subtidal, and intertidal beach environment. The upper member is veneered by what appears to be a paleosol which in turn, is overlain by Quaternary eolianite, marginal marine, and marine deposits.The Quebradillas is not limited to only the onshore coastal area of the island but extends northward into the Puerto Rico Trench. Above a water depth of 5,000 m, the Quebradillas covers an area of at least 4,000 km2 on the southern slope of the trench, and the total area could be as much as 9,000 km2. Seismic and dredge-sample data suggest that the Quebradillas consists of the same facies offshore as in both outcrop and one well onshore. The presence of widespread Quebradillas in the Puerto Rico Trench has important tectonic implications for regional studies of both the Puerto Rico Trench and the northern Caribbean region. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.