Earth:Barzalosa Formation

From HandWiki
Short description: Geological formation in the Colombian Andes
Barzalosa Formation
Stratigraphic range: ~Mid Eocene-Oligocene
or Oligocene-Early Miocene
~40–20 Ma
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesHonda Gp., Carmen de Apicalá Conglomerate
OverliesLa Tabla Fm., Olini Gp., Seca Fm.
Thickness~360 m (1,180 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryConglomerates
OtherSandstones, siltstones, shale, gypsum
Location
Coordinates [ ⚑ ] : 4°21′50.2″N 74°47′29.8″W / 4.363944°N 74.791611°W / 4.363944; -74.791611
Paleocoordinates [ ⚑ ] 2°42′N 71°12′W / 2.7°N 71.2°W / 2.7; -71.2
RegionUpper Magdalena Valley
Central & Eastern Ranges
 Andes
Country Colombia
Type section
Named forBarzalosa
Named byScheibe
LocationGirardot
Year defined1934
Coordinates [ ⚑ ] 4°21′50.2″N 74°47′29.8″W / 4.363944°N 74.791611°W / 4.363944; -74.791611
RegionCundinamarca
Country Colombia
Blakey 035Ma - COL.jpg
Paleogeography of Northern South America
35 Ma, by Ron Blakey

The Barzalosa Formation (Spanish: Formación Barzalosa, Pgb, Pgba) is a fossiliferous geological formation of the Upper Magdalena Valley and the bounding foothills of the Central Ranges and Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. The formation consists of conglomerates, sandstones and siltstones. The Barzalosa Formation probably dates to the Late Paleogene to Early Neogene period; Oligocene to Early Miocene epochs, and has an approximate thickness of 360 metres (1,180 ft). Fossils of Balanerodus logimus, Lophiodolodus chaparralensis, Xenastrapotherium chaparralensis, Protheosodon sp. and Proadinotherium sp. have been uncovered from the formation in Chaparral, Tolima.

Etymology

The formation was defined by Scheibe in 1934 and named after Barzalosa, a vereda of Girardot, Cundinamarca. Cáceres and Etayo elevated the "Pisos de Barzalosa" to a formation in 1969.[1]

Description

Lithologies

The Barzalosa Formation consists of conglomerates, sandstones and siltstones.[2] In parts, the formation contains shale beds and gypsum.[3]

Stratigraphy and depositional environment

The approximately 360 metres (1,180 ft) thick Barzalosa Formation overlies the Olini Group and the Seca Formation in the west and is overlain by the Honda Group.[2] In the east towards Fusagasugá, the formation overlies the La Tabla Formation and is overlain by the Carmen de Apicalá Conglomerate.[4] As the formation does not contain foraminifera, the age is difficult to establish, but has been estimated to be Oligocene to Early Miocene,[2] or Middle Eocene to Oligocene.[5] The depositional environment has been interpreted as alluvial fans and braided rivers.[6]

Fossil content

Location Department Fossils Notes
Alto San José, Chaparral Tolima Balanerodus logimus
Lophiodolodus chaparralensis
Xenastrapotherium chaparralensis
Protheosodon sp.
Proadinotherium sp.
Megalonychoidae indet., Gavialidae indet.

Outcrops

Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 522: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/Bogotá savanna" does not exist. The Barzalosa Formation is apart from its type locality found in Tocaima and to the east of Agua de Dios,[1] and on the western side of the Magdalena River around Chaparral, Tolima.[12]

Regional correlations

See also

Featured article candidate Geology of the Eastern Hills
C-Class article Middle Magdalena Valley
C-Class article Geology of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense

Notes

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Acosta et al., 2002, p.49
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Acosta et al., 2002, p.50
  3. Acosta & Ulloa, 2001, p.56
  4. Acosta & Ulloa, 2001, p.52
  5. Acosta & Ulloa, 2001, p.57
  6. Acosta et al., 2002, p.51
  7. Balanerodus logimus in the Paleobiology Database
  8. Lophiodolodus chaparralensis in the Paleobiology Database
  9. Xenastrapotherium chaparralensis in the Paleobiology Database
  10. Protheosodon in the Paleobiology Database
  11. Proadinotherium in the Paleobiology Database
  12. 12.0 12.1 Chaparral Alto José in the Paleobiology Database

Bibliography

  • Acosta, Jorge E.; Rafael Guatame; Juan Carlos Caicedo A., and Jorge Ignacio Cárdenas. 2002. Mapa Geológico de Colombia - Plancha 245 - Girardot - 1:100,000 - Memoria Explicativa, 1–92. INGEOMINAS.
  • Acosta, Jorge E., and Carlos E. Ulloa. 2001. Mapa Geológico de Colombia - Plancha 246 - Fusagasugá - 1:100,000 - Memoria Explicativa, 1–77. INGEOMINAS.

Maps