Toward the south, the close of the Early Cretaceous was characterized by a great outpouring of [http://geology.com/rocks/basalt.shtml basaltic] flows (Matagua* Formation) over rifted basement. This activity was accompanied toward the north and west (Cifuentes*, southern Rosario, northern Rosario, and La Esperanza belts) by abundant and extensive [[chert]] deposits (Calabazar*, Carmita*, and Santa Teresa* Formations). | Toward the south, the close of the Early Cretaceous was characterized by a great outpouring of [http://geology.com/rocks/basalt.shtml basaltic] flows (Matagua* Formation) over rifted basement. This activity was accompanied toward the north and west (Cifuentes*, southern Rosario, northern Rosario, and La Esperanza belts) by abundant and extensive [[chert]] deposits (Calabazar*, Carmita*, and Santa Teresa* Formations). |