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[[File:Trinidad (Kuba) 03.jpg|thumb|Trinidad (Kuba) 03: released in the GFDL by [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dino1948 Dieter Mueller].]]

[[File:Trinidad (Kuba) 03.jpg|thumb|Trinidad (Kuba) 03: released in the GFDL by [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dino1948 Dieter Mueller].]]

The geology of Cuba has been a challenge to geologists because of features such as the presence of well-preserved [[Jurassic]] [[ammonite]]s, the rich [[Tertiary]] [[foraminiferal]] faunas (including remarkable [[Paleogene]] [[orbitoids]]), the gigantic Upper [[Cretaceous]] [[rudistids]], the spectacular limestone Mogotes of Pinar del Rio, the extensive outcrops of [https://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/earthscienceandengineering/rocklibrary/viewglossrecord.php?gID=00000000012 ultrabasic] [[igneous]] rocks, the [[chromite]] and [[manganese]] deposits, and the extraordinary structural complexity. In addition to these features, the numerous petroleum seeps, many of them coming out of [[Wikipedia:Basic_rock|basic]] igneous rock, have attracted much attention.

The geology of Cuba has been a challenge to geologists because of features such as the presence of well-preserved [[Jurassic]] [[ammonite]]s, the rich [[Tertiary]] [[foraminiferal]] faunas (including remarkable [[Paleogene]] [[orbitoids]]), the gigantic Upper [[Cretaceous]] [[rudistids]], the spectacular limestone Mogotes of Pinar del Rio, the extensive outcrops of [https://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/earthscienceandengineering/rocklibrary/viewglossrecord.php?gID=00000000012 ultrabasic] [[Igneous rock|igneous]] rocks, the [[chromite]] and [[manganese]] deposits, and the extraordinary structural complexity. In addition to these features, the numerous petroleum seeps, many of them coming out of [[Wikipedia:Basic_rock|basic]] igneous rock, have attracted much attention.

==Regional setting==

==Regional setting==

===Barremian===

===Barremian===

During the [[Barremian]], deposition of [[platform]] carbonates continued in the north, grading from shallow-water algal types, with fewer [[evaporite]]s, to [[breccia]]s. South, west, and possibly east of the Bahamas Platform, deep-water sedimentation of [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelagic pelagic] (nannoplankton) carbonates continued. However, because of the late Neocomian tectonic activity, [[conglomerate]]s, derived from the previously deposited limestones in the Las Villas* belt and from the exposed granitic basement in the [[Cifuentes]]* belt to the south, became common. No Barremian sediments were deposited in some of the southern areas. However, the [http://geology.com/rocks/basalt.shtml basaltic] to intermediate flows possibly continued to accumulate over the southern part of the [[Wikipedia:Basic_rock|basic]] igneous basement.

During the [[Barremian]], deposition of [[platform]] carbonates continued in the north, grading from shallow-water algal types, with fewer [[evaporite]]s, to [[breccia]]s. South, west, and possibly east of the Bahamas Platform, deep-water sedimentation of [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelagic pelagic] (nannoplankton) carbonates continued. However, because of the late Neocomian tectonic activity, [[conglomerate]]s, derived from the previously deposited limestones in the Las Villas* belt and from the exposed granitic basement in the [[Cifuentes]]* belt to the south, became common. No Barremian sediments were deposited in some of the southern areas. However, the [http://geology.com/rocks/basalt.shtml basaltic] to intermediate flows possibly continued to accumulate over the southern part of the [[Wikipedia:Basic_rock|basic]] [[Igneous rock|igneous]] [[basement]].

===Aptian===

===Aptian===

A large trough-shaped basin formed in front of the thrust sheets, deeper near the thrust front and shallower northward. Early to middle Eocene [[flysch]] deposition in the trough began with sediments derived from limestones, such as the Sagua* and San Martin* formations, followed by an increase in volcanic and [http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/ks3/gsl/education/resources/rockcycle/page3598.html intrusive]-derived detritus, such as the lower Vega* and lower Manacas (Pica Pica) formations, and finally, capped by the intrusive and volcanic-derived coarse [[conglomerate]]s and [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-wildflysch.html wildflysch] of the upper Vega* (Rosas*) and upper Manacas (Vieja) Formations. In central Cuba, the rocks of the deep-water Vega* Formation became coarser grained through time. In western Cuba, the fine-grained clastics and other [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelagic pelagic] sediments of the Manacas Formation changed abruptly to the coarse [[breccia]]s of the Vieja Member. The breccia clasts reflect the lithology of the associated fault blocks. This suggests some subaerial [[erosion]] in central Cuba, whereas western Cuba was largely submarine.

A large trough-shaped basin formed in front of the thrust sheets, deeper near the thrust front and shallower northward. Early to middle Eocene [[flysch]] deposition in the trough began with sediments derived from limestones, such as the Sagua* and San Martin* formations, followed by an increase in volcanic and [http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/ks3/gsl/education/resources/rockcycle/page3598.html intrusive]-derived detritus, such as the lower Vega* and lower Manacas (Pica Pica) formations, and finally, capped by the intrusive and volcanic-derived coarse [[conglomerate]]s and [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-wildflysch.html wildflysch] of the upper Vega* (Rosas*) and upper Manacas (Vieja) Formations. In central Cuba, the rocks of the deep-water Vega* Formation became coarser grained through time. In western Cuba, the fine-grained clastics and other [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelagic pelagic] sediments of the Manacas Formation changed abruptly to the coarse [[breccia]]s of the Vieja Member. The breccia clasts reflect the lithology of the associated fault blocks. This suggests some subaerial [[erosion]] in central Cuba, whereas western Cuba was largely submarine.

South of the front of the advancing volcanic and basic intrusive-rock thrust plate, a second series of basins developed parallel to the northern trough. Within these basins, which were carried piggyback by the thrust plate, lower Eocene igneous-derived sediments accumulated, but under quieter tectonic conditions (the Taguasco*, Bijabo*, Santa Clara*, Alkazar, Bacunayagua, Capdevila, and Universidad Formations, for example).

South of the front of the advancing volcanic and basic intrusive-rock thrust plate, a second series of basins developed parallel to the northern trough. Within these basins, which were carried piggyback by the thrust plate, lower Eocene [[Igneous rock|igneous]]-derived sediments accumulated, but under quieter tectonic conditions (the Taguasco*, Bijabo*, Santa Clara*, Alkazar, Bacunayagua, Capdevila, and Universidad Formations, for example).

As the thrust sheets advanced, they overrode the lower to middle Eocene flysch, which had accumulated in front of them, and the flysch served as a lubricating medium for further thrusting. The [[subduction]] responsible for the uplift driving the thrusting ceased progressively from west to east, and volcanic activity continued in Oriente until the middle Eocene. Along what appears to be a north-[[dip]]ping subduction zone and south of the Jardines de la Reina Cays (Camaguey trench) is a filled trench, which is a remnant of an accretionary prism. This trench could be related to the exposures in Haiti's southern peninsula and the Muertos Trench.

As the thrust sheets advanced, they overrode the lower to middle Eocene flysch, which had accumulated in front of them, and the flysch served as a lubricating medium for further thrusting. The [[subduction]] responsible for the uplift driving the thrusting ceased progressively from west to east, and volcanic activity continued in Oriente until the middle Eocene. Along what appears to be a north-[[dip]]ping subduction zone and south of the Jardines de la Reina Cays (Camaguey trench) is a filled trench, which is a remnant of an accretionary prism. This trench could be related to the exposures in Haiti's southern peninsula and the Muertos Trench.