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org by R4l All Groups on Sep 04, 2025

A. G E N E R A L DATA ON THE SEGMENT

1. T H E S E G M E N T S T U D I E D
The Venezuelan Coast Ranges run east-westwards and straddle the
VEN EZU ELAN COAST transform junction between the Caribbean and the Americas tectonic
plates. T h e y are thus approximately at right angles to the main cordil-
RANGES leran trend of South America.
Although strike-slip faults cut the Venezuelan Coast Ranges, large
scale right-lateral offsets have not been irrefutably demonstrated. Most
of the range's tectonic evolution can be explained in terms of crustal
JOHN SEBASTIAN BELL shortening in which the sense of movement involved a large north-south
component.
1937 Briar Crescent N.W., Calgary 42, Alberta, Canada
Segment: the location of the segment discussed below is shown in Fig. 1.
It is 150 km wide along structural strike.
CONTENTS The orogenic belt presumably extends below sea level to the north
of zone 1, but the nature of its northern margin is unknown. To the
A. General data on the segment 683 south, folded sediments give way to a south-dipping regional homocline
B. Subdivision of the segment 692 and the margin is arbitrarily drawn south of the southernmost folds.
The exposed width of deformed rocks in the mountain range (zones 1-
C. Data on individual structural zones 692 8) is approximately 150 kin.
1. Cordillera de la Costa zone 692
2. Caucagua-E1 Tinaco zone 694 Zones: the structural zones are described in sequence from north to
3. Paracotos zone 696 south (zones 1 to 8 respectively).
4. Villa de Cura zone 696 Zone 1 contains a partially remobilized Palaeozoic basement terrain
5. Foothills zone 698 which is overlain by Mesozoic metasediments. In zone 2 a presumably
6. Thrust Fault zone 699 Palaeozoic metamorphic terrain is locally intruded by ultramafic
7. Overturned zone 700 bodies and overlain by Mesozoic metasediments. Zone 3 is largely
8. Gentle Dips zone 701 composed of very lightly metamorphosed phyllites of late Cretaceous
age, locally overlain by unmetamorphosed Palaeocene carbonates. Ser-
D. References 702
pentinite slivers are found along the fault zone dividing zones 2 and 3.
Zone 4 contains an allochthonous metavolcanic sequence of presumed
L. Cretaceous age. Locally, it is unconformably overlain by unmeta-
morphosed late Cretaceous and Palaeocene marine deposits. Zone 5 is
largely composed of late Cretaceous-Palaeocene shales and flysch, and
is both structurally shortened and overthrust southwards. Immediately
south of it, the Thrust Fault zone (zone 6) is discontinuously present
and contains an imbricated and condensed late Cretaceous-Eocene
sequence. Zone 7 contains a more competent Eocene-Miocene sequence
which is partially overturned and which is stratigraphically continuous
with the gently undulating strata of zone 8 to the south.
The Guyana Shield is known to extend northwards beneath zone 8,
but no wells have penetrated any of the more northerly zones. It is
probable that the Palaeozoic metamorphic terrains in zones 1 and 2
represent remobilized shield rocks. The thick Mesozoic sequences in
zones 1 to 5 thin southwards and are only partially represented by the
Cretaceous sediments which onlap the Guyana Shield in the subsurface
beneath zone 8.
History: the oldest rocks outcrop in the northern part of the belt and
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684 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

200 km to the south (Sebastopol Gp, pre-425 m.y.; Tinaco Complex, 2. SHAPE O F T H E O R O G E N IN PLAN
probably pre-Mesozoic; Guyana Shield rocks, ?Pre-Cambrian). O n
ze The belt continues along strike beyond the selected segment.
this 'basement', a very thick sedimentary sequence appears to have
~ General trend: the orogenic belt follows a great circle trend.
accumulated in ?late Jurassic to ?early Cretaceous times in the northern
part of the belt. It was accompanied by considerable submarine
3. S U R F A C E SHAPE O F T H E S E G M E N T IN E L E V A T I O N
volcanism and followed by regional metamorphism and local granite
intrusion. Late Cretaceous sedimentation was thinner and located more 80 Highest 5% of the group: 2500 m. 3z The northern margin of the belt
to the south, but whilst it continued an enormous allochthonous mass is taken at sea level and 3~ the average height of the southern margin is
(now zone 4) was emplaced by southward movement. Early, and in approximately 250 m. 33 Geomorphological surfaces are recognized by
part late Tertiary sedimentation occurred in the south of the belt and summit heights on relict peneplains, at 1000 to 1200 m south of La
this area was affected by mid-Tertiary deformation, including south- Victoria fault. The age of the surfaces is known no more accurately
erly thrusting and overfolding. The present day relief probably formed than ?Tertiary for no marine strata have been found lying on them.
during Miocene to Recent time. See Aguerrevere & Zuloaga (1937). ~4 Geomorphological surfaces occur

I I

~ CARB
I BEAN
SEA
.-,

L I ) , ), m I
68" 67" 66"
I I !
Figure 1. Structural zones of the Venezuelan Coast Ranges. The analysed segment is outlined. Zones 2, 4, 6 and 8 are shaded.
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VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES 685

at two lower levels" at 400 to 500 m in Lake Valencia valley (Mega- The western area, between Barcelona and Barquisimeto, appears to be
therium remains indicate a Pleistocene age) and as raised beaches at 2 much less active seismically.
to 5 m on the north coast (Dengo 1953; Aguerrevere & Zuloaga 1937).
6. T I M E R E L A T I O N S
4. G E O P H Y S I C A L D A T A
s5 The oldest undeformed rocks in the segment belong to the Palaeo-
3s Gravity data: see Smith (1957). 41 Little data is available to document cene to L. Eocene Gu/trico Fm (Maclachlan, Shagam & Hess 1960,
isostatic equilibrium. Locally, however, the segment is not in isostatic p. 245). Reef limestones and associated sediments of the Gu/trico F m
equilibrium, zone 1, for example, appears to have no compensating rest unconformably on steeply dipping phyllites of the Maestrichtian
root. Paracotos F m in zone 3 (Maclachlan et al. 1960, fig. 2). Similar lime-
42-3 The general gravity field is parallel to the main tectonic and topo- stones have been mapped as resting unconformably on older meta-
graphic trends. morphic rocks of zones 3 and 4 to the south-east and north-east of
Ocumare del T u y (Feo-Codecido 1962). To date, neither reliable
45 Regional magnetic data are not yet available. An aeromagnetic survey
attitudes nor age-diagnostic faunas have been reported for these lime-
has been completed by the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office and
stones.
several traverses cross the area.
In the area to the west of San J u a n de los Morros, the reef limestones
of the Morro del Faro Member of the Gu~rico Fm (Palaeocene to L.
5. P R E S E N T - D A Y A C T I V I T Y
Eocene) appear to have an approximately horizontal dip and are
es The eastern Serranla del Interior, northern Trinidad and associated generally unfolded. These rocks rest on the relatively rigid Villa de
offshore areas are currently seismically active (Sykes & Ewing 1965). Cura Allochthon, and this structural environment has probably pre-

A
CARIBBEAN SEA

B LA

LA PUE

EXOTIC MASSES
SOUTH OF Z O N E 4

a aTHRUSTS
~.O0"Ti4V ,J ,FAULTS, dashed on
u p t h r o w n side

50kin
I I i i I |

68" 67" 66°

I L I
Figure 2. Simplified structural map of the Venezuelan Coast Ranges showing the locations of the cross-sectionsthrough the zones.
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686 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

vented their becoming involved in the T e r t i a r y folding a n d faulting Age

which affected zone 5 to the south. F u r t h e r outcrops of the M o r r o del 94 Minimum
F a r o M e m b e r are found to the east, a n d some of these m a y outcrop 9x Phase 93 Nature 93 Maximum 95 Evidence for age
in a similar structural environment.
T h e oldest u n d e f o r m e d sediments w h i c h occur in a n y v o l u m e in the lb Intrusion of the Guare- 79_+5 m.y. Radiometric determina-
Granite intrusion mal Granite & other ? tion (Morgan 1969)
V e n e z u e l a n Coast Ranges, however, are found filling the i n t e r m o n t a n e
(central part of bodies into the Sebasto-
basins in zone 2. P i c a r d & Pimentel (1968) assign the oldest beds in the zone 1, between pol and Caracas Gps
S a n t a Lucia Basin to the Siquire Fm, which is believed to be of L. to M. Caracas & Valencia)
Miocene age. This formation is continental in origin, a n d consists of (Morgan, 1969;
sandstones, mudstones, shales a n d conglomerates derived from the Ministerio de Minas
e Hidrocarburos,
s u r r o u n d i n g m e t a m o r p h i c rocks of zones 1 to 4. Venezuela, personal
83 T h e youngest deformed rocks in the segment are u n - n a m e d alluvial communications,
gravels which, because of their unconsolidated nature, are p r o b a b l y of 1969)
Pleistocene to R e c e n t age ( O x b u r g h 1966, p. 246). I Downwarping, rapid U. Cret 9a Based on stratigraphic
Deposition & meta- deposition, folding & ~ur correlation of Caracas
Table 1 morphism (zones 3, regional metamorphism Gp with metamorphic
M E S O Z O I C - C E N O Z O I C PHASES OF M O B I L I T Y 2, 1 & possibly to sequence in northern
the north of 1) Trinidad; 94 based on
Age regional considerations
94 Minimum and age (79+5 m.y.) of
91 Phase 93 Nature 9~ Maximum 95 Evidence f o r age post-metamorphic granite

3b Formation of inter- Present day Faults cut modern

Zones 1 & 2 montane basins by the L.--M. alluvium; the maximum
(Caracas Valley, development of E-W Mioc age is indicated by the 87--9 T h e initiation of mobility associated with the Mesozoic-Tertiary
Guatire, Santa grabens due to normal age of the oldest sedi- orogeny is here interpreted as being recorded by the d o w n w a r p i n g of
Lucia & Valencia faulting ments (Siquire Fm, L.-- the continental m a r g i n , which p e r m i t t e d the transgressive deposition
basins) M. Mioc)
of the Caracas G p (of Jurassic or Cretaceous age).
3 Folding, thrusting, Mioc-- Strata as young as U.
'Tertiary deforma- strike-slip faulting (zone Plioc Eoc are affected in zone sl T h e oldest rocks deformed for the first time d u r i n g the Mesozoic-
tion,' zones 5, 6, 7 5); N-S shortening Late Eoc 5; locally, zone 5 over- T e r t i a r y orogeny belong to the Las Brisas F m (of the Caracas G p ) . A
& the northern (zones 5 & 6), possibly or Olig rides Mioc strata p r o b a b l e late Jurassic age is suggested by analogy with strata of similar
part of 8 due to gravity sliding;
lithology in n o r t h e r n T r i n i d a d .
overturning (zone 7);
gentle, open folding & 7s. s0 Basement rocks outcrop within the orogenic belt in the segment
local gravity sliding (Sebastopol Gneiss, 425 m.y., zone 1) a n d are also k n o w n from sub-
(zone 8) surface evidence to the south, in zone 8 (gneisses, which are uncon-
2 Southward gravity slid- Palaeoc-- Paracotos Fm is less f o r m a b l y overlain by Cretaceous strata, a n d m a y be P r e - C a m b r i a n
Emplacement of the ing of the Villa de Cura L. Eoc metamorphosed than
Villa de Cura Allochthon across zone Post- meta- Villa de Cura Gp; Para- in age).
Allochthon (zone 4) 3 & probably a l s o morphism cotos Fm rocks (dated as
& associated Creta- across zones 1 & 2; of Villa de Maestr) tectonically
ceous exotic masses southward gravity slid- Cura Gp; underlie north margin of 7. S E D I M E N T A R Y RELATIONS
ing of the Cretaceous pre-early Allochthon; Gu~irico Fm
exotic masses, probably Maestr (Palaeoc--L. Eoc) tec- No pre-orogenic sediments h a v e been recognized in the V e n e z u e l a n
originating from no tonically underlies south Coast Ranges. T h e y u n d o u b t e d l y exist, b u t the absence of d a t i n g
farther north than zone margin of AUochthon. criteria a n d knowledge of sedimentation rates makes it impossible to
2; regional warping of The above field evidence
is interpreted as indicat- determine which p a r t of the oldest m e t a s e d i m e n t a r y sequences
the Allochthon associ-
ated with its emplace- hag that the final part of (Caracas Gp a n d T u c u t u n e m o Fro) should be classified as pre-
ment; ?light metamor- the southward sliding of orogenic. Accordingly, all these rocks have been classified as syn-
phism of the Paracotos the Allochthon was orogenic. I f our present prejudices concerning the evolution of the
Fm due to overburden accomplished between V e n e z u e l a n Coast R a n g e s are well based, the initial subsidence was
pressures beneath the early Maestr & Palaeoc
sliding Allochthon to L. Eoc times, whilst r a p i d a n d therefore only a small volume of pre-orogenic sediments
sedimentation was continuous w o u l d have been deposited (see s7-9).
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VENEZUELAN C O A S T RANGES 687

Table 2 San Sebasti~in), Palaeocene (beneath the Gudtrico Fm, between Villa
SUMMARY OF STRATAL DATA de Cura, San J u a n de los Morros and Ocumare del Tuy), Eocene
(beneath the Pefias Blancas Fro, in zone 6) and late Tertiary (beneath
Syn- and Post-orogenic U. Tertiary continental deposits, in zones 1 and 2).
sedimentation within
In the orogenic belt in the segment 50 km outside the south
margin of the orogenic 8. S T R U C T U R A L R E L A T I O N S
Pre-orogenic Syn-orogenic Post-orogenic part of the segment
n1-1~ The La Victoria fault zone shows normal (north-side up) and
97 Age span right-lateral (shown by off-sets of streams, Smith 1953) separation;
from ?Late L.--M. Cretaceous movements probably commenced in Jurassic or Cretaceous time, and
Jurassic Mioc
Mioc-- Recent Recent continue today. Mylonite occurs along the fault zone. The Santa Rosa
Plioc fault exhibits normal separation but the date of commencement of
9a Maximum thick- movement is unknown, although it probably became inactive in early
Estimated at Estimated at Approximately
ness 20,000- 1000 m 3000 m Tertiary time. The Agua Frfa, Cantagallo and La Puerta faults are
30,000 m thrusts which have been overridden southwards for distances of > 15-
99Estimated volume 60,000 kma 2000kma 10,000kms 28 kin, > 28 km and > 15 km, respectively; these are the displacements
per 100 km length indicated by the width of the allochthonous masses which moved over
of segment the fault surfaces. It is not known exactly when movements commenced,
And probable 25% 50% 25% but the faults were active during L. Maestrichtian and Palaeocene
error in this time and overthrusting is presumed to have ceased in Eocene time. The
estimate Foothills frontal thrust has overridden southwards and south-eastwards
10o Dominant facies Shales or Sandstones Shales for > 35 km; movements commenced at some point in the M. Eocene
phyllites and to Quaternary interval, probably in Oligocene time, and ceased in
conglomerates Miocene to Quaternary time.
Percentage of the total
volume occupied by--
and the error
9. R E V I E W OF O R O G E N I C D E V E L O P M E N T
xot Dominant facies 454-20% 604-20% 50+ 10%
102Volcanic rocks 304-5% 0 126 REGIONAL CHRONOLOGY AND CORRELATION
103Sedimentary rocks 54-2% 1% N o index fossilshave been recovered from any of the metamorphic
with over 90% rocks except the Paracotos F m in the Venezuelan Coast Ranges,
carbonate although Jurassic to Cretaceous genera have been found locally
104Sedimentary rocks 1% ?1% (Wolcott 1943; Dusenbury & Wolcott 1950). Thus, biostratigraphic
with over 95 % correlation is not possible for most of the rocks in zones I, 2 and 4.
quartz Various rock stratigraphic correlation schemes have therefore been
x05Source area of Guayana Shield and presented (e.g.Seiders 1965, table 5; Men6ndez 1967, table I); which
sediments Venezuelan Coast have had to be based on the premise that rock sequences of similar
Ranges lithology were deposited contemporaneously over large areas in the
northern part of the Venezuelan Coast Ranges. In addition, the actual
sequence is in dispute in some areas in zone 2 (Men6ndez 1967) and the
106 The effects of deformation have not been taken into account in chosen segment conceals many of the stratigraphic and structural
assessing the above stratal thickness. The precision of both the thickness questions in this zone. For example, Men6ndez (1965) has mapped
and deformation data is not of such an order as to make such estimates several klippen in an area to the west and Seiders (1965) finds a much
meaningful. more complex sequence to the east. The Caracas Gp (zone I) is listed
10~ In general, sedimentation was apparently continuous during the here as L. Jurassic to early Cretaceous (based on an along-strike
syn-orogenic period. In the metasedimentary sequences, however, correlation with the palaeontologically dated Caribbean Series of
erosion surfaces cannot be recognized because of lack of faunal evi- Trinidad), the Villa de Cura Gp (zone 4) and the Tiara Fm (zone 4
dence. The following erosion surfaces are recognized: Maestrichtian and 5) as early Cretaceous and the metasediments in zone 2 as Creta-
(beneath the Escorzonera Fm, between San J u a n de los Morros and ceous, but there is no supporting palaeontologic evidence. Nor is it
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688 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

possible accurately to date the metamorphism, since few relevant the latter seems more likely. From north to south four troughs are
radiometric age determinations are available. From these, metamor- recognized: the Villa de Cura, the Paracotos-?Garrapata-Tucutunemo,
phism appears to have ended in late Cretaceous time. the Gmlrico and the Roblecito troughs. Palinspastic reconstructions,
Most of the unmetamorphosed sedimentary sequences have yielded sedimentary thicknesses, and metamorphic grade suggest a pattern of
fossils but, in general, the fossils recovered have rather wide range zones. crustal behaviour involving a decrease in tectonic activity as the troughs
This should be borne in mind when assessing the possible time equiva- migrated southwards (Table 3). Volcanic rocks are only found in the
lence of units in different parts of the mountain range. two northernmost troughs; turbidites may be present in the northern-
most troughs, but have definitely been reported in the two central
127 T H E M I G R A T I O N OF T R O U G H S OF SEDIMENTATION troughs; whilst the amount of downwarping and grade of associated
metamorphism (where present) decreased through time. In addition,
Migration of troughs of sedimentation appears to have played an
the area being downwarped may have grown wider through time.
important role in the evolution of the Venezuelan Coast Ranges.
Recognition of depositional axes is to some extent dependent on palin- 129
R A T E S OF M O V E M E N T IN THE O R O G E N Y
spastic reconstructions, but there is good evidence for the migration of
such axes over a horizontal distance of approximately I00 km at a rate The available data on this fall into three categories: rates of subsidence
of i to 2 mm/yr (Bell, 1971). It is, however, not known whether and uplift, rates of movement on faults, and the rate of trough migra-
trough migration was a continuous or a discontinuous process, although tion.

I
6B °
I
67" OI,gocene ~! I Palaeocene Early
Land
Bathyalsea :. ~ .... .. : , , .

Shelf sea " : " "' "" ...... , ':" ' : " ' ":?-':~' :i~:)"":"~,~.. ' ' .r
" , i :: i i:." ' i ~'.-~:-: . :'~...i~ :..'.~ . . . . . . . . "

vulcanism . " : .... i~"'/ i?":+)'" '"

eocSUbmar'neI' { " !ii'i'~il ' i" :[.--~'![ '" . . . . '
I ....
'.....
.
I
":---- !~!,~!.~L

Pala r CSl.. i "';;~Y -- +'-" ] " i-'-- 11 I++ i ....' ...... .......... ' .,! ,,, ......... ,I, .......

•
". V • " ' '
V . . .
- -
. . . . .
--
--
'
- - V
V
-Y~v-_.7:._=-/.5_tG_~. . ..~.-. ..-3~'= ..... "
"" . . . . . . . " "'V V _ _ V
& Z~" • - " - "
, ,'--~-~ • . ..... 7"'"" i i]

"i
-10 •
o San Juan d e
. . ,
los Morros:
........ • . . . . . . . . . . ~; ., ~;.. " .:

may have been partially submerged , , : n ~

"i; • " " ' " Y • :".'

• . : , ....
:. " i :-i O: E[ Sombrero-.. .'
• --. =. ,
~:...:' " , i' ~ -.. ~

~ . .....'. I + ,~ - ,',: : , " " • i i , ,i,,, ' " " -, ~,, .i

Figure 3. Palaeogeographical m a p s of the V e n e z u e l a n Coast R a n g e s constructed according to the reconstruction shown in Fig. 4. N o a c c o u n t is taken of possible strike-slip
movements, a n d the n o r t h e r n p a r t o f the m o u n t a i n r a n g e is depicted as r e m a i n i n g stationary with respect to latitude d u r i n g T e r t i a r y crustal shortening.
Downloaded from https://www.lyellcollection.org by R4l All Groups on Sep 04, 2025

VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES 689

Table 3 morphosed. Assuming that the base of the allochthon was not far below
PATTERN OF CRUSTAL BEHAVIOUR ASSOCIATED sea level, uplift must have been very rapid, at rates of 0.5 to 1.0 mm/yr.
WITH T R O U G H M I G R A T I O N Subsidence and uplift rates in the area of zone 2 cannot be meaning-
fully estimated from the data presently available. Assuming that part
Age of of the foothills sequence (element b) accumulated approximately in
Rock Rock Age of D o w n - Metamorphic Metamor-
Trough units types deposition warping facies phism the area now occupied by the Villa de Cura Allochthon (element a)
subsidence rates in zone 4 varied between approximately 0.04 and 0"2
Villa de Tiara Fm, Metavol- ?Early 20,000-- Pumpellyite- Assumed m m / y r (Bell 1968, fig. 43) during late Cretaceous and early Tertiary
Cura Villa de canics& Cret 30,000 m phrenite, to be time. The rate of subsequent uplift cannot be estimated accurately, but
Cura Gp associated bluesehist Creta- 0.1 m m / y r is of the right order of magnitude. Late Tertiary subsidence
meta- ceous
sediments in the area of zone 5 appears to have occurred at 0.15 to 0.2 m m / y r
(Bell 1968, fig. 43). The raised reefs of zone 1 have not been dated, and
Caracas Metamor- ?Late Jur Greenschist, the present day rate of tectonic uplift implied is unknown.
Gp phosed --early almandine-
shelf sedi- Cret amphibolite Estimates have been made of rates of movement across sub-hori-
ments zontal thrust surfaces. The final stages of the southward sliding of the
Paracotos- Paracotos Phyllite Early Villa de Cura Allochthon (element a) and associated allochthonous
>5,000 m ?None ?Creta-
?Garrapata- Fm Maestr ceous masses (element c) are believed to have occurred at an average rate of
Tucutunemo 0.5 to 1 ram/yr. In addition, the uplift of the Foothills sequence (post-
?Garra- Conglom- Coniac None early Eocene) and initial subsidence of the Roblecito Basin to the south
pata Fm erate,
shale (late Eocene) are believed to coincide with the onset of overthrusting
of element b. The end of overthrusting is dated as post-early Miocene
Tucu- Phyllite ? Greenschist from overriding relationships (Foothills sequence thrust over Ouiamare
tunemo Fm
Fm). This allows 30 to 35 m.y. for overthrusting to occur in. A mini-
Los Metavol- ?Cret Greenschist m u m of 35 km SE-overthrusting has occurred and the true amount is
Naranjos eanics
Member probably c. 45 km. If overthrusting was gradual or semi-continuous, a
rate of 1 to 1.5 m m / y r is indicated, if the above assumptions are correct
Gu~irico Gu~rico Flysch Late >4,500 m None Not (Bell 1968).
Fm Maestr-- metamor-
early Eoc phosed As mentioned in le~ southward trough migration in the central part of
the Venezuelan Coast Ranges has occurred at an average rate of 1 to 2
Mucaria Shale Santon-- ram/yr.
Fm late Maestr
Querecual Limestone, Turon--
Fm shale Coniac 130 PALINSPASTIC RECONSTRUCTIONS
Roblecito Roblecito Shale, Olig 2,500 m None Not Tectonic events have resulted in several sequences being displaced to
sandstone metamor- the south of their original sites of accumulation. Palinspastic recon-
phosed structions are therefore important in interpreting geological events and
La Pascua Sandstone, Late Eoc have been taken into account in Fig. 3.
Fm shale Shagam (1960, pl. 7) showed the deposition of the metasediments in
zones 1 to 4 in profiles. He suggested that the axis of deposition shifted
southwards as first the Caracas Gp (element m), then the Tucutunemo
If we assume that the rock units contained in the Villa de Cura Fm (element l) and, finally, the Villa de Cura Gp (element a) were
Allochthon (element a, 15 km thick) were deposited above the Caracas deposited conformably on pre-Mesozoic basement. Shagam assumed
Gp (element m, 4 + k m thick) in zone 1, that these rocks accumulated, that the metavolcanic Villa de Cura Gp was autochthonous.
respectively, during early Cretaceous and late Jurassic time, and that Men6ndez (1965) and Seiders (1965) have since demonstrated that
the Caracas Gp underwent metamorphism at a depth of 20 to 30 km the Villa de Cura Gp is allochthonous and was emplaced by south-
(Morgan 1970), then subsidence must have been rapid in zone 1. ward sliding during Maestrichtian to Palaeocene time. Its original site
Rates of 0.1 to 0.5 m m / y r are indicated. of accumulation cannot be inferred directly. It is likely, however, that
Element a is known to have been involved in gravity sliding (post- it overlay the northernmost outcrops of the Caracas Gp while the latter
deposition of j) in Maestrichtian time after being regionally meta- underwent metamorphism, for the mineralogy of the Caracas Gp in
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690 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

N S

zo. s. I.I . I , I,I 8

Om ,.

Present Day

]k
Kv
~ . . ~ . . . ~ . ~o ~- ,. . . . . . . .

Oligocene

~ . " , ' . -.,,. :, : - ; ~ _ \ . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... ,-

, ~ ~.:,,.~z-~i~#.~+~%"~~ Late Cretaceous

Om Oligocene-Miocene marine
and continental deposits
__ _ . ......... :~
Eo U. Eocene-Oligocene marine deposits
,-~'J',~7~""
"~ ~ " > ~"> ~ . . . . . .:':..~....c....~.~....: ............ Pe Paleocene-L. Eocene marine deposits
~ ' - . ' ; . Y ; ~ .... Early Cretaceous Ku U. Cretaceous marine deposits
KIm ? L. Cretaceous marine deposits
Kv ? L. Cretaceous submarine volcanics

J-? U. lurassic- Lower Cretaceous

Jk
Jk ~:;:' , ~ ,. ~ : ~,.. 7. ~ , i ' :~..:,~.:c~ L ~narine deposits
Kg U. Cretaceous granite intrusion
...... Late Jurassic
Pre Mesozoic basement gneiss

Regional metamorphism
V Sea level

Figure 4. Schematic representation of the overall evolution of the Venezuelan Coast Ranges.
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VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES 691

the area around Puerto Cabello implies that it was metamorphosed at Several NW-SE-trending transcurrent faults cut portions of the
7 4-2 kilobars pressure (Morgan 1970). This suggests that the group Venezuelan Coast Ranges (e.g. Gu~irico fault, Camatagiiita fault),
was buried to a depth of 20 to 30 km during metamorphism. The only but these offsets are believed to be due to thin-skinned tear faults which
available 'cover' sequence in the Venezuelan Coast Ranges is the 15 terminate downwards against thrust faults.
km thick metavolcanic sequence which now outcrops to the south in 134 T H E OVERALL EVOLUTION OF THE BELT
zone 4. Thus the palinspastic reconstruction presented here shows the
Villa de Cura Gp and the Tiara Fm being deposited and metamor- Imprecise data regarding the chronology and correlation of the meta-
phosed above the Caracas Gp in zone 1, but it is also possible that they morphic units, ambiguities in palinspastic reconstructions and lack of
accumulated further north. knowledge of the extent of strike-slip faulting hinder establishing a
The southward sliding, metamorphosed, Villa de Cura Allochthon detailed picture of the overall evolution of the belt. In addition, there
(a) appears to have terminated sedimentation in zone 3 in early is no information on sedimentation and tectonics north of the present
Maestrichtian time, but not to have overridden the northern rim of the Venezuelan coastline, and little significant geophysical data is avail-
later Gu~irico Basin until Palaeocene time. Exotic masses of the Garra- able. Within the framework of these limitations, however, a simplified
pata Fm, the Querecual Fro, the Vallecito Beds and the Tiara Fm are model for the evolution of the central part of the Venezuelan Coast
found within the Gu~trico Fm immediately to the south of the Villa de Ranges has been constructed. It is outlined in Fig. 4.
Cura allochthon (Bell 1968), and it is assumed that they were also Late Jurassic marine shelf sediments were deposited on the northern
emplaced by similarly timed southward sliding. These rocks, too, must rim of the Guayana Shield in zone 1. Further downwarping in early
have accumulated to the north of their present location. In the case of Cretaceous time allowed more marine sediments to accumulate farther
the Garrapata Fm its clastic components suggest that it may have been south. Probably during this interval the sediments in zone 1 and any
deposited in the southern part of zone 2 (Bell 1968). that had accumulated further north were blanketed by a thick pile of
The Foothills sequence (element b) of zone 5 also appears to be submarine volcanics. Marine sedimentation continued in the southern
allochthonous and to have undergone southward to south-eastward part of the mountain range in late Cretaceous time but, by then, the
overthrusting during late Tertiary time of more than 35 km (Bell more northern sediments and volcanics had been regionally meta-
1968). Structures within the zone suggest that gravity gliding across a morphosed and uplifted with the result that part of the volcanic
ddcollement surface occurred. The overriding of element b is believed sequence slid southwards. These allochthonous metavolcanics slid
to have folded and faulted the late Tertiary sequence ahead of it across recently deposited Maestrichtian marine sediments in zones 2
forming the telescoped Thrust Fault zone (6), the Overturned zone and 3, until they finally came to rest in their present site in Palaeocene-
(7) and the Gentle Dips zone (8). early Eocene time. Various smaller exotic masses were also involved in
southward sliding ahead of the Villa de Cura Allochthon at this time.
The allochthonous sequences slid into the northern part of a turbidite
133 EFFECTS OF TRANSCURRENT OR STRIKE-SLIP FAULTING-
trough which had developed within and to the north and south of zone
Several authors have suggested that the Caribbean crustal block has 5 in Maestrichtian time. Marine sedimentation continued in this basin
been right-laterally offset several hundred kilometres along E - W - until early Eocene time, and included both turbidites and reef deposits,
trending strike-slip faults situated close to the north coast of Venezuela the latter being deposited on or around the Villa de Cura Allochthon.
(Rod 1956; Alberding 1957; Wilson 1966). Straight lineaments such as Zone 8 to the south is believed to have been above sea level in early
the Sebasfi~in, Avila, La Victoria and E1 Pilar faults are present, but Tertiary time.
no evidence is available which unequivocally indicates that large scale As Fig. 4 indicates, deformation in zone 5 is believed to have begun
strike-slip movements have taken place in Tertiary time. In the case of in Eocene time. During Oligocene time, marine sediments continued
the E1 Pilar Fault, it appears unlikely that strike-slip displacement is to accumulate in the southern part of the mountain range, but were
more than 10 to 15 km and it may be less than 5 km (Metz 1964). There succeeded by continental deposits in Miocene time. Overthrusting and
is, however, evidence of small scale right-lateral strike-slip movement internal deformation of zones 5 and 6 are believed to have proceeded
within zone 1. Dengo (1953, fig. 3) mapped strike-slip faults in the continuously from Eocene to Miocene time and caused overturning in
Caracas region, and to the south of this area Smith (1953, p. 60) zone 7 and thin-skinned folding in zone 8. The northern part of the
described possible strike-slip faults--including the La Victoria fault-- Venezuelan Coast Ranges is presumed to have been above sea level
which appear to exhibit recent right-lateral movement according to from Palaeocene time onwards, and during late Tertiary time conti-
offset drainage patterns. K6nigsmark (1965, fig. 18) and Oxburgh nental sediments accumulated in intermontane basins in zones 1, 2 and
(1966, fig. 4) also suggested Tertiary strike-slip movements on the 3. Later Tertiary right-lateral strike-slip movement of several tens of
Santa Rosa and Cantagallo faults but later work has not documented kilometres has probably occurred along E - W faults in the northern
their hypotheses. part of the ranges, but its extent is not known.
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692 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

B. S U B D I V I S I O N OF T H E SEGMENT Zo~
Elements 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Table 4
ZONES AND ELEMENTS IN THE SEGMENT *°1 I
Cretaceous metamorphic rocks
Z0n6$ m
Caracas Gp (Jur or Cret) ×
Elements 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Pre-Mesozoic basement
AUochthonous n
a
Tinaco Complex (?probably
pre-Mesozoie)
Villa de Cura Allochthon ×
o
(?L. Cret)
Sebastopol Gneiss (older than ×
b
425 m.y.)
Foothills sequence x ×
(Turon---early Eoc) P
Guyana Shield
c
U. Cretaceous exotic blocks x
P = parautochthonous
Autochthonous
d ~0~ Basis for correlation of elements between zones: b, d, f, g, j--litho-
U. Tertiary continental deposits x x logy and fossils; e, lithology and assumed continuity.
e
Oligocene--Miocene sediments x x
f
Eocene--Oligocene sediments xP xP x x
C. D A T A O N I N D I V I D U A L
g STRUCTURAL ZONES
Palaeocene sediments x x x
h
Maestrichtian--Palaeocene xP I. C O R D I L L E R A DE LA COSTA ZONE
sediments
i sos Zone margins are sharply defined (< ½ km). 809-n Areas of the zone
U. Cretaceous sediments × occupied by the outcrop of rock types: plutonic 10%; sedimentary 10%;
J metamorphic 80%.
Paracotos F m (L. Maestr and x x xP
older) 312-14 Elements: unconsolidated U. Tertiary continental deposits (ele-
k ment d) are mildly deformed and rest unconformably on older rocks.
Cretaceous sediments
The metamorphosed rocks of the Caracas G p (element m) are folded

, ZONE, [ ZON f I

J
"~+'m m

3kin . ~

0 lOkm
I I ,I

Figure 5. Composite cross-section through the

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VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES 693

Table 5 on several scales; unfolding of the major folds allows N-S shortening
STRATIGRAPHY IN ZONE 1 to be estimated at 10%. The Caracas Gp unconformably overlies
granitic gneisses of the Sebastopol Gp (element o).
3~ Thickness m a28 Element
33o Age and in which
8zs-zn Outcrop areas of the elements: d outcrops as isolated outliers, for
evidence Maxi- Mini- the rocks example around Lake Valencia and in the Caracas valley (< 25 × 4
319 Unit f o r age 3,x Lithology mum mum occur km). Element m outcrops over the whole zone (150 × 20-35 kin).
Element o occurs as isolated inliers, the largest (15 × 8 km) being north
Several units, M.--U. Mioc-- Unconsolidated sand- <827 ;>513 d of Valencia.
including Pleist, fossils stone, mudstone, (very variable)
Cabo Blanco (Bermfidez 1966) conglomerate 326-32 Igneous activity: Episode 1--eclogitic amphibolites and meta-
Gp volcanics interbedded in the Las Mercedes and Tacagua Fms, respec-
Tacagua Fm ? Metavolcanics, <200 > 150 m
tively, represent volcanic activity presumably of submarine origin;
sericite-epidote schist (top is eroded) these rocks are concentrated along the northern one-third of the zone.
Volume--10-15 km n. Episode 2--ultramafic sills and lenses (chiefly
Las Mercedes Mesozoic (Cret or Calcareous quartz- < 1600 > 175 m
serpentinites) intrude the Caracas Gp but pre-date its metamorphism;
Fm Jur), poorly pre- muscovite schist; thin (av. c. 500)
served marine bedded, dark lime- they outcrop along the north and south flanks of the zone. Volume--
fossils stone; rich in graphite < 10 km z. Episode 3--the Guaremal granite intrudes the Las Brisas Fm
in upper part and the Sebastopol Gneiss; it has given an isotopic age of 79 q-5 m.y.
(Rb/Sr, Morgan 1969). Volume-- > 10 km 8.
Antimano Fm ? Thick-bedded marble <50 m
385-4~ Metamorphism: Phase 1--amphibolite facies metamorphism has
Las Brisas Fm Cret or Jur, Quartz-muscovite <2200 >800 m affected element o; a radiometric determination of 425 m.y. (P.
poorly preserved schist, microcline
marine fossils gneiss, limestone
Hurley, personal communication 1968) indicates the minimum age for
lenses & conglom- the metamorphism. Phase 2--elements m and o were metamorphosed
erates to epidote-amphibolite facies in the north of the zone and to green-
schist facies in the south of the zone prior to the intrusion of the post-
Sebastopol Older than 425 Q.uartzo-feldspathic ? o
Group m.y., Rb/Sr, whole gneiss, microcline
metamorphic Guaremal granite (79 + 5 m.y.). In the north of the zone
rock, isotopic age biotite augen gneiss basic rocks contain quartz, albite, epidote, chlorite, calcite, hornblende,
(personal com- paragonite, biotite and garnet and sphene, rutile and omphacite;
munication to pelitic rocks contain muscovite and glaucophane and kyanite, micro-
H. H. Hess from cline and chloritoid. In the south, quartz, albite, epidote, muscovite,
P. M. Hurley)
chlorite, calcite and Ca-amphibole occur in basic and pelitic rocks;

ZON 4 ! ZONES [61 7 ZONE8 S

a a i c b ~ b b _ b b f e . e ,I I_

Venezuelan Coast Ranges (after Bell 1968, pl. 3).

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694 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

"J S
N L.
v" . . . . . . . . . ZONE I '" -~

2kin 1 ~x'~ ,,o¢~<~

! x
o~ ~ i / . ~ . ~ f/< f'/".-

,m];f~[~'/// / ./-/m / i " °'~ Guaremal u a n i t e

2km-I 0 5km
| . J | , i ,

Figure 6. Cross-section A of zone 1, the Cordillera de la Costa zone, north of Valencia (after Morgan 1969, pl. I).

2. CAUCAGUA-EL TINACO ZONE

302 gone margins are sharply defined (< ½ kin). 30s-n Area of the zone
sphene occurs in basic rocks and chloritoid and microcline in pelitic occupied by the outcrop of rock types: sedimentary 50%; metamorphic
rocks. See Dengo (1953), Smith (1953) and Morgan (1969). 50% (including 5% metavolconics).
344-s Deformation: Phase 1--see metamorphic phase 1. Phase 2 - - t h e
formation of bedding foliation and lineation structures affected ele- Table 6
ments o and m between U. Jurassic to U. Cretaceous time; the folds S T R A T I G R A P H Y IN ZONE 2
affect the Caracas Gp which, by analogy with similar lithologies in
northern Trinidad, m a y be as old as U. Jurassic and the deformed 322 T h i c k n e s s m 323 Element
rocks are cross-cut by the U. Cretaceous Guaremal granite. Phase 3 N 82o Age and in which
major folding, normal and thrust faulting affected elements o, m and evidence Maxi- Mini- Aver- the rocks
slg Unit for age 8~1Litholog), mum mum age occur
(locally) d. These structures post-date the metamorphism and cut the
Guaremal granite implying a post-U. Cretaceous age. Recent activity Several units, Post-M. Mioc-- Unconsolidated 350
on several faults is indicated by offset dt~ainage patterns. including Tuy Quaternary, sandstone, con- (Tuy
~5°-5Fold structures: no details are known of the phase 1 structures. & Siquire Fins fossils (Ber- glomerate, mud- Fro)
mfidez 1966) stone, lake
Phase 2 folds have amplitudes and wavelengths of 0.1-0.5 m. Phase 3 sediments
folds have average amplitudes of ?500 m, and average wavelengths of
5-7 km; three or four such folds occur in any cross-section of the zone Paracotos Fm Upper part is L. Silty shale, phyl- severalhundred
Maestr (marine lite, limestone, (exposedthickness)
in the Caracas area; apical angles are 50°-70°; axial surfaces strike fossils) conglomerate
E - W and are vertical or dip north; the sequence is right side up.
Tucutunemo Not known PhyUite, lime- >350
357. 74 Maps of folds and faults: see Dengo (1953), Smith (1953), M o r g a n Fm (?Cret) stone, feldspathic
(1969; 1970) and Seiders (1965). lithic arenite
359-6~Planar and linear structures: deformation phase 2 has produced Los Naranjos Not known Basaltic recta- < 1200 >200
crinkle lineations parallel to fold hinge lines (Dengo 1953; Smith 1953; Member (?Cret) lava, metatuff
M o r g a n 1969), mineral lineations of chloritoid and microcline, and 'Las Mercedes' Not known Quartz-muscovite >200
cleavage/bedding intersections due to an axial plane cleavage devel- Fro; (no correla- (?Cret) schist, quartzite,
oped late in the metamorphic history (Morgan 1969). tion can be sandy limestone,
demonstrated phyllite, cal-
366--73 Minor faults: post-Cretaceous cross faults (?normal) affect ele- with the type careous schist
ments o and m. T h e y trend N. 330 ° W., are approximately vertical and area of the
are post-metamorphic and associated with unrecrystallized shear formation)
zones; they may be associated with uplift in Miocene or more recent Tinaco Older than 117 Hornblende, bio-
time. M u c h less common are small thrust faults which affect element Complex _ 3 m.y.; prob- rite & quartz-
m. T h e y trend approximately E - W , dip both to north and south at ably pre- plagioclasegneiss,
30 ° and were probably initiated locally by normal faulting related to Mesozoic; see minor amphi-
33s bolite and marble
regional uplift.
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VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES 695

312--14Elements: U. Tertiary continental deposits (element d) are mildly chlorite, calcite, leucoxene, pumpellyite, muscovite, microcline, biotite,
tilted locally and are unconformable on elements 1 and n. The Para- amphibole, sphene, graphite and actinolite.
cotos F m (element j) consists of folded shales and phyllites; it is fault The fault-bounded element g shows very weak development of white
bounded. Cretaceous metamorphic rocks (element 1) are folded and are mica, suggesting it has undergone light metamorphism.
apparently unconformable upon the retrogressively metamorphosed 344-8 Deformation: Phase 1--see metamorphic phase 1. Phase 2 -
gneisses and schists of the Tinaco Complex (element n). elements 1 and n were affected by the formation of bedding foliation
315-16 Outcrop areas of the elements: d outcrops as isolated outliers, the and lineation structures in the Cretaceous to M. Miocene interval,
largest of which (around Lake Valencia) measures 111 × 35 krn; j probably in U. Cretaceous time; direct evidence for assessing this age is
occurs over a maximum of 15 × 2 km; 1 outcrops over most of the zone lacking and it is inferred from regional considerations and assumed to
(length 150 kin; width 13 to 42 kin). Discontinuous outcrops of n occur be approximately equivalent to metamorphic phase 2. Phase 3--fold-
along the whole length of the zone; the widest measures 7½ km. ing and faulting affected element d, probably in late Tertiary time.
326-32Igneous activity: Episode 1--the Loma de Hierro ultramafic 35o-5 Fold structures: deformation phase 2 has produced folds in element
complex is believed to intrude the Tinaco Complex; it pre-dates meta- 1 which have average amplitudes and wavelengths of 100 m to 1 cm.
morphic phase 1 (117 4-3 m.y.) and is presumed to be pre-Mesozoic in Apical angles and axial surface orientations are both very variable, but
age; the complex is an ENE-striking body about 20 km long. V o l u m e - - the sequence seems to be right side up. Phase 3 has produced major
60 km 3. Episode 2--basic, submarine lavas and tufts occur interbedded folds (average wavelength 1000 m), between one and five of which
in element 1 and are ?Cretaceous in age. Volume---I00 km 3. occur on average in a cross-section of the zone. Their axial surfaces
trend approximately E-W, and there is no obvious vergence direc-
335--42Metamorphism: Phase 1--almandine amphibolite facies meta- tion.
morphism has affected the rocks of element n and they have also
357.374 Maps of folds and faults: see Smith (1953), Feo-Codecido (1962),
undergone a second metamorphism, which is locally retrogressive; a
K/Ar radiometric age of 117 4-3 m.y. (Bellizia 1968) is believed to Maclachlan et al. (1960), Shagam (1960), K6nigsmark (1965),
relate to this later metamorphism (H. H. Hess, personal communica- Menfndez (1965), Seiders (1965), Oxburgh (1966).
tion) and the almandine amphibolite metamorphism is thought to be 359-62 Planar and linear structures: deformation phase 2 has produced in
considerably older (probably Palaeozoic); basic rocks contain quartz, element I fracture cleavage which is sub-parallel to fold axial surfaces,
epidote, hornblende, sphene, albite, actinolite, pumpellyite, garnet, microcorrugations and lineations which commonly parallel the regional
calcite, futile, apatite and chlorite; pelitic rocks contain quartz, strike, and mineral lineations of quartz and calcite. See Shagam (1960)
epidote, hornblende, sphene, plagioclase and muscovite. Phase 2 - - and Oxburgh (1966).
greenschist facies metamorphism affected element 1 probably in Creta- 366-73 Minor faults: E-W, post-Cretaceous, ?normal faults have resulted
ceous times, assuming that the Caracas Gp and the Tucutunemo Fm in the upfaulting of element n against 1 in the area east of Lake Valencia
were metamorphosed contemporaneously; basic rocks contain quartz, (Maclachlan et al. 1960, pl. 1). NW-SE, normal faults, of post-early
albite, epidote, chlorite, calcite, leucoxene, pumpellyite, clinozoisite Maestrichtian and probably post-Palaeocene date, offset the Santa
and stilpnomelane; pelitic rocks contain quartz, albite, epidote, Rosa fault in the western part of the segment.

N S

.^ ~\~" .~ k~'~\~\~
. _~0 ~x~ ~ 0 ~ ¢~\~
lk m ~ L.~'~,~'- ~ : : i ~ =~-- --_eu~'~?~'~~ ' ,

0s i , I I
5km
I

Figure 7. Cross-section B of zone 2, the Caucagua-El Tinaco zone (after Maclachlan et al. 1960, pl. 1).
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696 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

3. P A R A C O T O S Z O N E 336-82 Igneous activity: Episode 1--basic, submarine pillow lavas occur

3o2 Zone margins are sharply defined ( < ½ km). 30s-10 Areas of the zone interbedded in the Paracotos Fm and are of L. Maestrichtian or older
age. V o l u m e - - ? 1 km 3. Episode 2--sheared serpentinites outcrop along
occupied by the outcrops of rock types: volcanic < 1%; plutonic 5%; sedi-
mentary 95%. faults which cut the Paracotos Fm and which form the north and south
margins of the zone (Santa Rosa and Agua Fria faults); the bodies
have no metamorphic aureoles and were emplaced in post-L. Maes-
N S trichtian time. V o l u m e - - ? 10-? 50 km 3.
2@ ZONE3 - ~ 4 835-41 Metamorphism: very low-grade metamorphism, causing growth of
white mica in pelitic rocks, locally affects parts of the Paracotos Fm.
~.o~ 4,~ The metamorphism is probably of L. Maestrichtian date and may,
perhaps, be due to temporary loading by the Villa de Cura Allochthon.
344-8 Deformation: disharmonic folds, which are southwardly recumbent,
affect the Paracotos Fm. They developed after deposition (L. Maes-
trichtian and ?older) and prior to the unconformable Palaeocene cover.
The folds are believed to be due to drag caused by tectonic overriding
0 2km of the Villa de Cura Allochthon.
t I ! S = Serpentinite
35°-SFold structures: the average amplitudes and wavelengths of the
Figure 8. Cross-section C of zone 3, the Paracotos zone (derived from Ma c l a c hl a n
et al. 1960, fig. 1, and Shagam 1960, pl. 1). folds are in the range 100 m to 10 ram. Apical angles are typically in
the range 0 ° to 20°; most axial surfaces dip south and vergence is
towards the south.
~12-1~ Elements: Palaeocene sediments (element g) are undeformed and 366-74 Minor faults: NW-SW-trending, vertical, normal and strike-slip
approximately horizontal. The strata of the Paracotos Fm (element j) faults offset the Paracotos zone, particularly in the west. T h e y are post-
are steeply dipping and locally disharmonically folded; they have L. Maestrichtian in age. In addition, they offset the Agua Frla fault,
suffered southward tilting and minor (probably) tectonic thickening. which is interpreted as the northern surface trace of a basal thrust
Element g overlies element j unconformably. underlying the Villa de Cura Allochthon (Men~ndez 1965) and which
31n-le Outcrop areas of the elements: g outcrops as isolated outliers, the Bell (1968) suggested evolved during L. Maestrichtian to Palaeocene
largest of which measures 4 x 0.5 kin; element j occurs over the whole time.
zone (150 x 5.5 kin). 374 Maps offaults: Oxburgh (1966), Smith (1962).

Table 7
STRATIGRAPHY IN ZONE 3 4. V I L L A DE C U R A Z O N E
322 Thickness m 323 Element 303 Zone margins are sharply defined ( < ½ km). 308-11Areas of the zone
82o Age and in which occupied by the outcrop of rock types: plutonic 5%; sedimentary 5%;
evidence Maxi- Mini- Aver- the rocks
~zo Unit for age 321Lithology mum mum age occu?
metavolcanics 90%.
313-14 Elements: Palaeocene sediments (element g) are unfolded and rest
Gu~trico Palaeoc, marine Unmetamorphosed, ? 30 ?100 unconformably on older rocks. U. Cretaceous sediments (element i)
Fm fossils grey, massive lime- are steeply dipping and are unconformable upon element a. The Villa
stone & siltstone
de Cura Allochthon (element a) is a homoclinal metavolcanic sequence
Paracotos Upper part is L. Mainly silty shale & In central area which has been thrust over elementsj and b. The strata of the Paracotos
Fm Maestr, marine phyllite; minor lava, ? 400 ? Fm (element j) and of the Foothills sequence (element b) are sheared
fossils conglomerate & Eastern part of
aphanitic limestone and contorted.
segment
1000 ? ? 315-16 Outcrop areas of the elements: g and i occur as isolated outliers, the
Western part of largest of which measure 4 x 1 km and 6 x 1 km, respectively; element
segment a outcrops over the whole area of the zone (150 x 28 km) ; elements j
7OO 20O ? and b occur as a tectonic melange beneath the Villa de Cura Allochthon
Base not seen
and outcrop in a 'window' (400 × 100 m).
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VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES 697

326-3~ Igneous activity: Episode 1--basic, submarine volcanic rocks form 3~ Thickness m 328 Element
most of the Villa de Cura Gp and the Tiara Fm and are of ?L. Creta- 8~o Age and in which
ceous or older age. Volume--150,000 km 3. Episode 2--hornblende evidence f o r Maxi- Mini- Aver- the rocks
diorite stocks (volume--50 km s) and an olivine-pyroxenite layered sz9 Unit age 8 , Lithology mum mum age Occur

stock-like intrusion (volume--100 km 3) intrude element a and post-

Escorzonera Maestr, marine Marine limestone, 514 m at type
date its metamorphism (post-100 ± 10 m.y.) and probably post-date Fm fossils sandstone, shale section, appears to
the emplacement of the allochthon. be thinner elsewhere
3a5-4~ Metamorphism: the rocks of element a were metamorphosed to
Paracotos F m No evidence of Shale with minor Order of probable j, b
prehnite-pumpellyite facies (Tiara Fm) and to blueschist facies (Villa age in this zone sandstone & lime- total thickness is
de Cura Gp) probably during the Cretaceous; the minimum age stone 500-1000 m
possible for the metamorphism is L. Maestrichtian and a metatuff near
Querecual T u r o n - - S e n o n , Shale, aphanific
the base of the Tiara Fm has yielded a radiometric age of 100 ± 10 Fm marine fossils limestone
m.y. (K/Ar whole rock, Piburn 1968). Basic rocks in the Tiara Fm
contain quartz, albite, muscovite, epidote, chlorite, calcite, green Ca- Tiara F m Mafic basalt, vol- 5000
amphibole, prehnite, pumpellyite and stilpnomelane. Rocks in the Villa canic conglomerate,
de Cura Gp contain quartz, albite, muscovite, epidote, chlorite, calcite, lithic tuff, black
chert
Ca-amphibole, pumpellyite, glaucophane, lawsonite and stilpnomelane.
Mineral assemblages are given in Piburn (1968), Shagam (1960) Villa de Cura
and Seiders (1965). Isograds (prehnite to lawsonite; first appearance c~ Deposited Chiefly interbedded 5000 + a
ofglaucophane) are both approximately located at the contact between Santa Isabel earlier than chlorite schist &
Fm 100 4- 10 m.y. quartz-albite granu-
(Piburn 1968); lite with minor
date of deposi- metalavas and
Table 8 don is not metacherts
STRATIGRAPHY IN ZONE 4 "known;
E1 Carmen regional con- Spilitic basalt & 1200 a
322 Thickness m 8~3 Element Fm siderations related metatuff
320 Age and in which E1 Chino F m suggest a L. Chiefly layered 1500 a
evidence Maxi- Mini- Aver- the rocks Cretaceous or
older age metatuff with minor
sz9 Unit for age 3~t Lithology mum mum age occur a m o u n t of spilitic
basalt, metachert,
Gmtrico F m Palaeoc--L. Reef limestone, c.<400 g graphitic phyllite
(Morro del Eoc, marine off-reef deposits & quartz-albite
Faro and fossils granulite
Caramacate
Members) E1 Carlo F m Laminated metatuff 1400 a
with minor mafic &
andesitic lava

L. ZONE 4 ..... I

0q i
?
I km J b not k n o w n
0 3kin s = Serpentinite
I I I I

Figure 9. Cross-section D of zone 4, the Villa de Cura zone (derived from Shagam 1960, pl. 1 and Piburn 1968, pl. 1).
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698 V E N E Z U E L A N COAST RANGES

the Santa Isabel a n d T i a r a Fms. These isograds a p p e a r to parallel 315-xe Outcrop areas of the elements: g outcrops as isolated outliers, the
b e d d i n g planes a n d are therefore assumed originally to have been largest of which measures 15 × 4 km. T h e largest of the exotic blocks
a p p r o x i m a t e l y horizontal surfaces. which comprise element c has m a x i m u m dimensions of 15 x 2.5 k m
~44-s Deformation: Phase 1--tight, disharmonic flexural a n d flow folds a n d is at least 500 m thick. E l e m e n t b occurs over the whole area of the
developed w i t h i n element a in L. M a e s t r i c h t i a n or earlier time, prob- zone (length 150 k m ; width, 10 to 35 km). E l e m e n t f outcrops over a
a b l y d u r i n g the U. Cretaceous; element i, which is not i n t e r n a l l y m a x i m u m area of 11.5 x 4 km.
folded or metamorphosed, rests u n c o n f o r m a b l y on element a; fabric
studies suggest folding a n d m e t a m o r p h i s m of element a were contem- Table 9
poraneous (Piburn 1968). Phase 2 - - t h e e m p l a c e m e n t of the Villa de S T R A T I G R A P H Y IN ZONE 5
C u r a Allochthon, followed b y regional warping, occurred in Palaeocene
or earlier time, p r o b a b l y d u r i n g the L. Maestrichtian to Palaeocene 32~ Thickness m a23Element
a2oAge and in which
interval; the north m a r g i n of element a is thrust over element j (which evidencefor Maxi- Mini- Aver- the rocks
is L. Maestrichtian a n d older in age) a n d the south m a r g i n of element a 3~9 Unit age 32tLithology mum mum age occur
is thrust over element b (which is of L. Cretaceous to Eocene age); a
w i n d o w in element a exposes elementsj a n d b; element i was a p p a r e n t l y Roblecito Fm U. Eoc--Olig, Shale, minor 2500 1000 v f
carried on element a as it was emplaced. marine fossils sandstone
35°-SFold structures: Phase 1 folds in element a have amplitudes a n d Pefias U. Eoc, marine Massive algal 11 3 6 or 7 f
wavelengths of 100 m to 10 r a m ; axial surfaces trend E - W a n d the Blancas Fm fossils orbitoidal
sequence youngs towards the south whereas vergence is towards the limestone
north (Piburn 1968). Phase 2 folds in element a have average wave- Gudrico Fm
lengths of 8 kin; two folds occur in a n 80 k m long, E - W cross-section; Morro del Palaeoc--L. Massive reef 500 ? ? g
apical angles are 170 ° a n d axial surfaces trend a p p r o x i m a t e l y N-S. Faro Member Eoe, marine limestone (top
357, 374 Maps o f folds and faults: P i b u r n (1968), S h a g a m (1960), K6nigs- fossils eroded)
m a r k (1965), O x b u r g h (1966), Smith (1962). Caramacate Palaeoc--L. Off reef lime- Approx. ? ? g
359-62planar and linear structures: axial plane fracture cleavage, a n d Member Eoc, marine stone,sand- 500
fossils stone, shale
cleavage/bedding lineations are locally associated with the folds pro-
duced b y deformation phase 1 (Piburn 1968; S h a g a m 1960). Los Cajones Paleoc, strafi- Wildflysch 1000 100 variable b
Member graphic position
366-~3 Minor faults: small, vertical faults, with p r o b a b l y both strike-slip
a n d n o r m a l components of m o v e m e n t , have been recognized locally Flysch U. Maestr-- Flysch, turbi- 3000 ? ? b
w i t h i n element a. T h e y trend N W - S E a n d offset the north-west facies L. Eoc, marine dite, shale
fossils
m a r g i n of the element ( O x b u r g h 1966, pl. 1), w h i c h suggests that they
evolved after or d u r i n g the later stages of the e m p l a c e m e n t of the Mucar~a Fm Campan-- Shale 1500 ? ?

Allochthon. Similar faults, which trend N-S, occur w i t h i n element a Maestr, marine Approx.
south-east of San J u a n de los Morros ( P i b u r n 1968). fossils 1000
Q uerecual Turon-- Aphanitic 500 250 ? b, c
Fm Santon, marine limestone,
5. F O O T H I L L S ZONE fossils shale

802 Zone margins are sharply defined ( < ½ km). 30s-10 Areas o f the zone Garrapata Coniac, marine Greywacke, 2000 ? ? c
Fm fossils shale
occupied by the outcrop o f rock types: volcanic 5%; sedimentary 95%.
312-14 Elements: Palaeocene sediments (element g) are tilted a n d rest Vallecito ? Wildflysch, 500 0 200 c
Beds shale, chert,
u n c o n f o r m a b l y on element a at the north m a r g i n of the zone. U. lava limestone
Cretaceous exotic blocks (element c) are e m b e d d e d in element b along
the north edge of the zone. T h e Foothills sequence (element b) is Tiara Fm ? Marie lava 1500 ? ?
allochthonous a n d has suffered a m i n i m u m of 20% of N - S shortening; agglomerate
it is overthrust b y element a (of zone 4) at the north m a r g i n of the zone.
The Morro del Faro and Caramacate Members and the upper part of the Flysch
Eocene to Oligocene sediments (element f ) are highly deformed a n d facies are lateral equivalents. The Muearla Fm is a synonym for the San Antonio Fm
are overthrust b y element b in the south of the zone. of Peirson (1963, 1965), Peirson, Salvador & Stainforth (1966) and Salvador (1964).
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VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES 699

3~5 Igneous activity: Igneous activity is not known to have occurred 8e4 Strain analysis: elliptical worm tubes in the Mucaria F m suggest a
within this zone during the evolution of the Venezuelan Coast Ranges. 35 to 42% vertical compaction since deposition (Bell 1968).
Igneous rocks are present, but are believed to have been emplaced by 3ee-73 Minor faults: thrust faults, which are confined mainly to bedding
gravity sliding or to have been carried in within exotic blocks. Both the planes, trend approximately E - W and dip at 40 ° to 60 ° to the north
Tiara Fm and the Vallecito Beds contain volcanics, but both are inter- at the surface, affect elements b and f. They appear to have formed
preted as exotic (Bell 1968). Similarly, the Garrapata Fm, also inter- after the southwardly recumbent folds, by means of break-thrust and
preted as outcropping in exotic masses, contains serpentinite bodies strut-erosion thrust mechanisms (Bell 1968, fig. 20). They are probably
and sills of pyroxene diorite breccia. All the above units are thought to closely related in time to the southward overthrusting of the entire
have been emplaced in the GuSrico Fm between early Maestrichtian zone. Palinspastic reconstructions show that a marine basin came into
and Palaeocene time (Bell I968). existence in late Eocene time to the south of the area where the sedi-
344-s Deformation: during the evolution of this zone elements b and f ments of the Foothills zone accumulated. The evolution of this basin,
have been affected by recumbent folds, imbricate thrusts and intra- combined with uplift of the Foothills zone sedimentary sequence, pro-
formational disharmonic folding and elements c and g have undergone duced a southward-dipping 'tectonic tilt', which is believed to have
rotation with little internal deformation. Movements occurred in the been related to the initiation of overthrusting. Overriding relationships
post-L. Eocene to post-L. Miocene interval and were probably con- suggest that the overthrusting, and hence the formation of thrust faults
tinuous from U. Eocene times to Miocene time. The youngest rocks within the zone, continued into post-early Miocene time.
transported by thrusting belong to the L. Eocene GuSrico Fro; the Subsurface data are not available so that the configurations at depth
Foothills zone overrides the Q uiamare Fm (L. Miocene) of zone 7 and of the thrust faults which repeat the sequence are not known. Even so,
the minimum age of deformation must therefore be later. Palinspastic conservative reconstructions suggest at least 20% N-S tectonic short-
reconstructions suggest a south dipping tectonic tilt was initiated in late ening of the zone.
Eocene times, probably related to the southward overthrusting of The maximum amount of southward overthrusting of the zone
element b. cannot be estimated, due to lack of subsurface data. In the central
35°-5Fold structures: folds in element f have amplitudes and wave- part of the zone, however, the underlying sequence is exposed in the
lengths of 100 m-10 ram, apical angles of 0-30 °, axial surfaces which Camatagifita Fenster and field relations in this and surrounding areas
trend ENE and have variable dip and a southerly vergence; they are indicate that a minimum of 45 km relative south-eastward movement
poorly exposed. Folds in element b have amplitudes and wavelengths or about 30 km relative southward movement has occurred. In the
of 100 m-10 m m (intraformational disharmonic folds), apical angles of writer's opinion, the maximum figure is not likely to be greater than
0-30 °, axial surfaces which trend E - W and dip north and a southerly these figures by more than 10 km.
vergence. Few folds have been mapped in element c but rare dis-
harmonic intraformational folds in the Garrapata Fm have amplitudes
and wavelengths of 100 m-10 mm.
359-e2Planar structures: axial plane, fracture and slaty cleavage, and
slaty cleavage parallel with bedding planes both occur in element b,
6. T H R U S T F A U L T Z O N E
particularly in the Mucarla Fm. The cleavages are presumed to have
developed during the late Tertiary folding, but slaty cleavage forma- 3o2 Zone margins are sharply defined ( < ½ kin). 310 Sedimentary rocks
tion may have been initiated earlier. See Bell (1968). outcrop over the whole zone.

N S
-+- -4-

Figure 10. Cross-section E of zone 5, the Foothills zone (after Bell 1968, pl. 1).
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700 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

312--14Elements: Eocene to Oligocene sediments (element f) and Maes- 344-8 Deformation and 36e-~3 minor faulting: the structure of this zone has
trichtian to Palaeocene sediments (element h) are imbricately thrust; been documented in only one section (Rfo Chacual), where eight
they have been shortened by the thrusting probably by more than bedding plane thrust faults occur in 1700 m. They trend ENE and
50%. Element f is unconformable on element g. dip at 75 ° to the north at the surface. The thrust movements must have
315-1~ Outcrop areas of the elements: f and h occur in a complicated pattern occurred during the time interval L. Miocene to present day for, in the
of thrust strips and the zone itself outcrops discontinuously. Galeras de Guarumen, zone 6 overrides the Ouiamare Fm of zone 7,
which has been tentatively dated as L. Miocene.
Table 10 Subsurface structural data around Rio Chacual are not available,
STRATIGI~APHY IN ZONE 6
so the amount of shortening due to thrusting is unknown, but is likely
to be more than 50%. Southward displacement of the entire zone is
32~. Thickness m 3~3 Element also probable, since it is situated immediately south of zone 5 which has
32o Age and in which been demonstrably overthrust southwards.
evidence f o r Maxi- Mini- Aver- the rocks
819 Unit age 32a Lithology mum mum age occur
7. O V E R T U R N E D ZONE
Roblecito F m U. Eoc--Olig, Shale, minor 140 f
marine fossils sandstone (total 303-3 Zone margins are mostly sharply defined ( < ½ km), but locally the
exposed) southern margin is narrowly gradational (½ to 3 km). Sedimentary
Pefias Blancas U. Eoc, marine Algal orbitoidal 6 f rocks outcrop over the whole zone.
Fm fossils limestone 313-14 Elements: Oligocene to Miocene sediments (element e) rest con-
Vidofio F m Maestr--Palaeoc, Silty shale < 170 h formably on Eocene to Oligocene sediments (element f ) . Folding has
marine fossils produced approximately 20% of N - S shortening at the surface, but the
Guayuta Gp U. Cret, marine Shale, chert 5 h
amount is variable.
fossils (total 315-xe Outcrop areas of the elements: e outcrops over the whole zone
exposed) (150 × < 8 km); f outcrops as inliers in the core of an anticline
Base not seen
( < I7 x < 2 km).

N LI- ZONE 6 _1
--] s

I ' '
I ,~ lJ
., el ' "
n l ~ I °/ I ~__

" h --

--500m

500m
I I

Figure 11. Cross-section F of zone 6, the Thrust Fault zone (after Peirson 1965, fig. 12).
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V E N E Z U E L A N COAST RANGES 701

Table 11 8. G E N T L E D I P S Z O N E
S T R A T I G R A P H Y IN ZONE 7
304 Z o n e margin: the southern m a r g i n of the zone is broadly gradational
8~= Thickness m 8=nElement ( > 3 kin). S e d i m e n t a r y rocks outcrop over the whole area of the zone.
8~o Age and in which 31~-14Elements: Oligocene to Miocene sediments (element e) a n d
evidencefor Maxi- Mini- the rocks
Eocene to Oligocene sediments (element f ) are gently folded. Creta-
alg Unit age 321Lithology mum mum occur
ceous sediments (element k) are essentially undeforrned a n d rest un-
Quiamare Fm L. Mioc, strati- Mottled claystone, <500 e conformably on the rocks of the G u y a n a Shield (element p). T h e
graphic position sandy conglomerate contact relations of the other elements are--e/f, conformable; f/k,
paraconformity.
Q uebrad6n Olig, stratigraphic Claystone, sand- < I000 e
Fm position stone 31s-16 Outcrop areas o f the elements: e outcrops over the whole area of zone
Naricual Fm Olig, stratigraphic Thick-bedded <530 >430 e (150 k m by a p p r o x i m a t e l y 45 km). f i s believed to outcrop in the zone,
position quartzose, sand- but no published maps are available, k a n d p are both entirely sub-
stone & mudstone surface.
Roblecito Fm U. Eoc--Olig, Shale with minor > 1000 f
marine fossils sandstone Table 12
Base not seen S T R A T I G R A P H Y IN ZONE 8

~2~ Thickness m 32~ Element

344-s Deformation: the folding with m i n o r faulting which has affected 3,0 Age and in which
evidencefor Maxi- Mini- Aver- the rocks
the rocks in this zone must have occurred in the interval L. Miocene to 319 Unit age 3,1Lithology mum mum age occur
present day, since the youngest rocks folded ( Q u i a m a r e Fro) are prob-
ably of L. Miocene age. Quiamare L. Mioc, strati- Mottled clay- 1000 500
3 5 ° - S F o l d structures: only a single fold, with dimensions larger t h a n Fm graphic position stone, sandy
conglomerate
1000 m, is usually developed in the zone. T h e northern l i m b of this
syncline is usually overturned a n d the axial surface dips north a n d Quebrad6n Olig, stratigraphic Claystone, 2500 750 c. 1000 e
trends S. 80 ° E. T h e fold typically has a n apical angle of c. 60 °. Fm position sandstone
366-~ M i n o r f a u l t s : vertical faults with m i n o r displacements ( < 200 m) Roblecito U. Eoc--Olig, Shale 1692 f
occur on the flanks of the axial traces of the m a j o r folds a n d trend at Fm marine fossils
high (50°-70 °) angles to the traces. T h e y are p r o b a b l y all n o r m a l La Pascua Eoc, marine Sandstone, shale c. 600 f
faults a n d are of post-Oligocene or Miocene age. Fm fossils
8~4 M a p o f f a u l t s : Peirson (1963, fig. 2). Temblador Cretaceous, Sandstone, silt- >800 0 k
Gp marine fossils stone, limestone
Guyana ?Pre-Cambrian, Granite, granite
ZONE 6 -~[ "I- ZONE 7 "-~I~ZONE 8 Shield correlation with gneiss,crystalline
age-dated exposed rocks
rocks south of
river Orinoco

0 0 344-8 D e f o r m a t i o n : elements e a n d f have been affected b y open folding

I l a n d minor, n o r m a l a n d reverse faulting. These m o v e m e n t s must have
occurred d u r i n g the Oligocene (or Miocene) to R e c e n t period.
2 2
85o-~ F o l d structures: the folds have a n average a m p l i t u d e of 1000-100 m,
3kin 3kin an average wavelength of I000 m a n d apical angles of 120 °. Between
0 2kin
I | two a n d six folds larger t h a n 1000 m occur in a cross-section of the
Figure 12. Ca'oss-section G of zone 7, the Overturned zone (after Bell 1968). T g - - zone. T h e axial surfaces trend N. 70 ° E. a n d the folds y o u n g upwards,
Gu~rico Formation, Q b--Quebrad6n Formation, G1--Galera Member, Qm--Quia- have southward vergence in some cases a n d d i m i n i s h in frequency a n d
mare Formation. a m p l i t u d e southwards.
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702 VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES

N S BUCHER, W. H. 1952. Geologic structure and orogenic history of Venezuela. Mem.

geol. Soc. Am. no. 49.
> ]< ZONE 8
CAUDRI, C. M. B. 1944. The larger foraminifera from San Juan de los Morros,
State of Gfiarico, Venezuela. Bull. Am. Paleont. 28 (114), 355-412.
CIZANCOURT, M. r)~.. 1951. Grands foraminif6res du Pal6oc6ne, de l']~oc6ne inf6rieur
et de l']~oc6ne moyen de Venezuela. Mdm. Soc. ggol. Fr. no. 64.
DENGO, G. 1953. Geology of the Caracas region, Venezuela. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 64,
2km-~ .l 7-39.
DUSENBUR%A. N. 1960. The stratigraphy of the Cretaceous Temblador group of the
Eastern Venezuelan Basin. Bol. Inf. Asoc. Venez. Geol. Min. Petrol. 3, 247-57.
Quiamare Fm DUSENBURY, A. N. & WOLCOTT, P. R. 1950. Rocas metam6rficas creulcicas en la
o ~...~-----~ ~ - . ~ ~"~---~_-~ / f cordillera de la costa, Venezuela. Bol. Inf. Asoc. Venez. Geol. Min. Petrol. I, 1,
Quebradon Fm .~.?-- ~ ~J. 17-26.
/ EVANOFF, J. 1951. Geologla de la regi6n de Altagracia de Oritueo. Boln Geol. Dir.
Roblecito and Pascua Fms Geol. Venez. I (3), 237-64.
/
FEO-CODECIDO, G. 1962. Contribution to the geology of North Central Venezuela.
Temblador Gp ~ ~.~[ Bol. Inf. Asoc. Venez. Geol. Min. Petrol. 5, 119-42.
4km ~ ? ~ : . : : ~ ! ~ i:;:::~::2k'm ! ::[" t-IzDBERO, H. D. 1950. Geology of the Eastern Venezuelan Basin (Anzotitegui-
.....:~=:.:i: : " . . . ~ . ~:-:::t,::(Gua;ana S h i e l d :"::::ff:~":::":::::".................".... I I Monagas-Sucre-Eastern Gu~rico portion). Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 61, 1173-1216.
t-IEss, H. H. 1938. Gravity anomalies and island arc structure with particular refer-
Figure 13. Cross-section H (above) and H" (below) of zone 8, the Gentle Dips zone. ence to West Indies. Proc. Am. phil. Soc. 79, 71-96.
Section H after Bell (1968, fig. 13). Section H' derived from Patterson & Wilson 1960. Caribbean Research Project: Progress report. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 71,
(1953) and Bell (1968, pl. I). 235-40.
1966. Caribbean Research Project, 1965, and Bathymetric chart. Mem. geol.
Soc. Am. no. 98, 1-10.
s6s-~s M i n o r faulting: m i n o r , n o r m a l a n d reverse faults, w h i c h t r e n d HEss, H. H. & MAXWELL,J. C. 1953. Caribbean Research Project. Bull. geol. Soc. Am.
E N E , o f t e n o c c u r o n t h e flanks o f anticlines a n d are a s s u m e d to b e 64, 1-6.
g e n e t i c a l l y r e l a t e d to t h e folding. T h e y affect e l e m e n t s e a n d f a n d JARVIS, H. A., JR. 1966. Geologla de la regi6n de Rio Pao-Rto Tiznados, Estados
t h u s are p r o b a b l y post-L. M i o c e n e i n age. Cojedes y Gu~irico, Venezuela. Boln Geol. Dir. Geol. Venez. VIII (15), 73-115.
K6NmSMARK, T. A. 1965. Geologia del area de Gmirico septentrional--Lago de
a74 M a p s o f f a u l t s : S m i t h (1962). Valencia, Venezuela. Boln Geol. Dir. Geol. Venez. VI (11), 209-85.
KUOLER, H. G. 1953. Jurassic to Recent sedimentary environments in Trinidad.
Bull. Assoc. Suisse Ggol. Ing. P6trol. 20, 27-60.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LIDDLE, R. A. 1946. The Geology of Venezuela and Trinidad, 2nd edn. New York (Pale-
ontological Res. Inst.).
While compiling this data on the Venezuelan Coast Ranges I have MACr~NZIE, D. B. 1960. High-temperature alpine-type peridotite from Venezuela.
been greatly assisted in various ways by the late Professor H. H. Hess, Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 71, 303-18.
Dr. A. A. Bellizzia, Dr. C. O. Bowin, Dr. J. Dorman, Dr. H. L. Metz, MACLACHLAN,J. C., SHAGAM,R. & HESS, H. H. 1960. Geology of the La Victoria
Dr. B. A. Morgan, Dr. M. D. Piburn and Dr. R. Shagam. area, Aragua, Venezuela. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 71, 241-8.
MEN~.NDEZ,A. 1965. Geologia del area de E1 Tinaco, centro norte del Estado Cojedes,
Venezuela. Boln Geol. Dir. Geol. Venez. VI (12), 417-543.
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Venezuela. Proc. Int. Conf. Trop. Ocean. 5, 103-30.
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ALBERDmO, H. 1957. Application of principles of wrench fault tectonics of Moody MOLNAR, P. H. & SYKES, L. R. 1968. Tectonics of the Middle America and Carib-
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VENEZUELAN COAST RANGES 703

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of North Central Venezuela. Bol. Inf. Asoc. Venez. Geol. Min. Petrol. 9, 183--224. 249-302.
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