The Uitpa Formation (Spanish: Formación Uitpa, E3u) is a fossiliferous geological formation of the Cocinetas Basin in the northernmost department of La Guajira. The formation consists of calcareous mudstones interbedded with lithic sandstones. The Uitpa Formation dates to the Neogene period; Aquitanian to Burdigalian stages, corresponding to the Colhuehuapian in the SALMA classification, and has a maximum thickness of 230 metres (750 ft).

Uitpa Formation
Stratigraphic range: Aquitanian-Burdigalian
~23–17.9 Ma
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofCocinetas Basin
UnderliesJimol Formation
OverliesSiamaná Formation
Thicknessup to 230 m (750 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryMudstone
OtherSandstone
Location
Coordinates11°58′00″N 71°22′43″W / 11.96667°N 71.37861°W / 11.96667; -71.37861
RegionLa Guajira
 Caribbean region
Country Colombia
Type section
Named forUitpa
Named byRenz
LocationUribia
Year defined1960
Coordinates11°58′00″N 71°22′43″W / 11.96667°N 71.37861°W / 11.96667; -71.37861
RegionLa Guajira
Country Colombia
Uitpa Formation is located in La Guajira Department
Uitpa Formation

Type locality of the formation in La Guajira

Etymology edit

The formation was defined by Renz in 1960 and named after Uitpa.[1]

Description edit

Lithologies edit

The Uitpa Formation consists of calcareous mudstones interbedded with lithic sandstones.[2][3]

Stratigraphy and depositional environment edit

The Uitpa Formation overlies the Siamaná Formation and is overlain by the Jimol Formation. The age has been estimated to be Early Miocene, corresponding to the Colhuehuapian in the SALMA classification. The formation has been deposited in an open to deep marine environment.[4]

Petroleum geology edit

The Uitpa Formation is a reservoir and seal rock formation in the Guajira Basin.[5]

Fossil content edit

Group Fossils Notes
Fishes Heptranchias cf. howellii, Centrophorus sp., Dalatias cf. licha, Pristiophorus sp., Isurus cf. oxyrinchus, Carcharocles sp., Alopias cf. superciliosus, Hemipristis serra, Carcharhinus gibbesii, Sphyrna laevissima, Mobula sp., Lamniformes indet., Teleostei indet.
Invertebrates Turritella sp., Xenophora sp., Architectonica nobilis, Glossaulax sp., Orthaulax sp., Gorgasina sp., Adrana sp., Saccella sp., Limopsis sp., Mimachlamys canalis, Cyclopecten sp., Propeamussium sp., Ostrea sp., Pteria sp., Lucinoma sp., Psammacoma sp., Chionopsis sp., Antalis sp., Fissidentalium sp., Turridae indet.

See also edit

  Geology of the Eastern Hills
  Cesar-Ranchería Basin
  Honda Group
  Abanico Formation

References edit

  1. ^ Moreno et al., 2015, p.7
  2. ^ Carrillo Briceño et al., 2016, p.78
  3. ^ Hendy et al., 2015, p.47
  4. ^ Rodríguez & Londoño, 2002, p.135
  5. ^ ANH, 2010
  6. ^ Carrillo Briceño et al., 2016, p.91
  7. ^ Hendy et al., 2015, p.50

Bibliography edit

Local geology edit

Paleontology edit

Maps edit

  • Zuluaga, Carlos A.; Alberto Ochoa; Carlos A. Muñoz; Camilo E. Dorado; Nathalia M. Guerrero; Ana M. Martínez; Paula A. Medina; Edgar F. Ocampo, and Alejandro Pinilla and Paula A. Ríos, Bibiana P. Rodríguez, Edward A. Salazar, Vladimir L. Zapata. 2008. Plancha 3 - Puerto Estrella - 1:100,000, 1. INGEOMINAS. Accessed 2017-06-06.
  • Zuluaga, Carlos A.; Alberto Ochoa; Carlos A. Muñoz; Camilo E. Dorado; Nathalia M. Guerrero; Ana M. Martínez; Paula A. Medina; Edgar F. Ocampo, and Alejandro Pinilla and Paula A. Ríos, Bibiana P. Rodríguez, Edward A. Salazar, Vladimir L. Zapata. 2008. Plancha 5 - Bahía Portete - 1:100,000, 1. INGEOMINAS. Accessed 2017-06-06.
  • Zuluaga, Carlos A.; Alberto Ochoa; Carlos A. Muñoz; Camilo E. Dorado; Nathalia M. Guerrero; Ana M. Martínez; Paula A. Medina; Edgar F. Ocampo, and Alejandro Pinilla and Paula A. Ríos, Bibiana P. Rodríguez, Edward A. Salazar, Vladimir L. Zapata. 2008. Plancha 10 - Rancho Grande - 1:100,000, 1. INGEOMINAS. Accessed 2017-06-06.
  • Zuluaga, Carlos A.; Alberto Ochoa; Carlos A. Muñoz; Camilo E. Dorado; Nathalia M. Guerrero; Ana M. Martínez; Paula A. Medina; Edgar F. Ocampo, and Alejandro Pinilla and Paula A. Ríos, Bibiana P. Rodríguez, Edward A. Salazar, Vladimir L. Zapata. 2008. Plancha 10bis - Rancho Grande - 1:100,000, 1. INGEOMINAS. Accessed 2017-06-06.