LATE CRETACEOUS STRATIGRAPHY OF THE SOUTHEASTERN CHACO - PARANÁ BASIN (“NORTE BASIN” - URUGUAY): THE MAASTRICHTIAN AGE OF THE CALCRETIZATION PROCESS

Authors

  • Gerardo VEROSLAVSKY Instituto de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad de la República. Uruguay
  • Natalie AUBET Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Tecnológica del Uruguay
  • Sergio A. MARTÍNEZ Instituto de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad de la República
  • Larry M. HEAMAN Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
  • Fernanda CABRERA Instituto de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad de la República
  • Valeria MESA Instituto de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad de la República

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/geociencias.v38i2.13779

Abstract

In the last 40 years, successive revisions have been introduced to the lithostratigraphy of the Late Cretaceous of the Norte Basin, whose record is formed by predominantly siliciclastic continental fossiliferous sedimentary rocks. A factor that contributed to the terminology proliferation was the misplaced importance attributed to the epigenetic processes and products (calcretes and ferricretes, occasionally fossiliferous) affecting those siliciclastic rocks. Based on field work and lithological logs from a number of key areas, the validity of the original stratigraphic column showing, from base to top, the Guichón, Mercedes, Asencio and Queguay formations is supported. For those particular units, the lithostratigraphic scope given by the original definitions is correct and, with minimum adjustments, they should be restored for their practical usefulness as geological mapping units. An evolutionary scheme for the Late Cretaceous of the Norte Basin is herein presented, with the aim of contributing to a greater understanding of the succession of sedimentary and epigenetic processes. A Maastrichtian age is proposed for the carbonatic cementation and/or substitution that affected the Mercedes and Asencio formations, thus originating the Queguay Formation, based on absolute age of the calcite cement (~ 72 Ma; U-Pb), paleontological data, and the correlation established with similar events recorded in the Marília Formation on the Bauru Basin (Brazil).

Published

2019-08-20

Issue

Section

Artigos