Subachoque Formation
PeriodPleistocene
AgeEarly to Mid Pleistocene
~
PrilithologyShale, lignite
OtherlithologySandstone
UnderliesSabana Formation
OverliesTilatá Formation
Guadalupe Gp.
Guaduas Fm., Cacho Fm., Bogotá Fm., Regadera Fm.
Thicknessup to 150 metres (490 ft)
Coordinates4°57′17.3″N 74°13′07.5″W
RegionBogotá savanna, Altiplano Cundiboyacense
Eastern Ranges, Andes
CountryColombia
NamedforSubachoque
NamedbyHelmens & Hammen
Year ts1995
Location tsSubachoque Synclinal
Coordinates ts4°57′17.3″N 74°13′07.5″W
Region tsCundinamarca
Country tsColombia

The Subachoque Formation (Spanish: Formación Subachoque, Q1su) is a geological formation of the Bogotá savanna, Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. The formation consists mainly of sandy shales and lignite with sandstone beds. The Subachoque Formation dates to the Quaternary period; Early to Middle Pleistocene epoch (from approximately 2.5 to 1 Ma), and has a maximum thickness of 150 metres (490 ft). It is the lowermost formation of the lacustrine and fluvio-glacial sediments of Lake Humboldt.

Etymology

The formation was first defined and named by Helmens and Van der Hammen in 1995 after Subachoque, Cundinamarca.[1]

Description

Lithologies

The Subachoque Formation consists mainly of sandy shales, some organic, with lignite and sandstone beds.[1]

Stratigraphy and depositional environment

The Subachoque Formation is the lowermost of the lagunal and alluvial sequence of the Bogotá savanna. In parts, it conformably overlies the Tilatá Formation and other parts unconformably the Cretaceous Guadalupe Group and the Paleogene Guaduas, Cacho, Bogotá, and Regadera Formations. The Subachoque Formation is overlain by other Quaternary deposits of Lake Humboldt. The age has been estimated to be Early to Middle Pleistocene based on fission track analysis, with reported ages between 2.5 and 1 Ma.[2] The depositional environment has been interpreted as lacustrine and fluvio-glacial with alluvial fans.[1]

Outcrops

The Subachoque Formation is found at its type locality in the western flank of the synclinal of Subachoque and in the western flank of the synclinal of Guasca.[1] The deposition of the Subachoque Formation postdates the main reverse movement of the Bogotá Fault.[3]

See also

Geology of the Eastern Hills
Geology of the Ocetá Páramo
Geology of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense

References

  1. ^ Montoya & Reyes, 2005, p.69
  2. ^ Montoya & Reyes, 2005, p.71
  3. ^ Geological Map Bogotá, 1997

Bibliography

  • Montoya Arenas, Diana María & Reyes Torres, Germán Alfonso (2005), "Geología de la Sabana de Bogotá", INGEOMINAS, pp. 1–104

Maps

Further reading

  • Guerrero Uscátegui, Alberto Lobo (1992), "Geología e Hidrogeología de Santafé de Bogotá y su Sabana", Sociedad Colombiana de Ingenieros, pp. 1–20