Paleogeographic Considerations of the Barbacoas Platform Western Border During Paleocene-Middle Eocene, Trujillo State, Venezuela

Abstract

Stratigraphic and sedimentological field information of the Chejende-Cuicas area, and subsurface well data (Butaque-1S) have been integrated to analyze the paleogeographic evolution of Barbacoas Platform. Both localities are in the Trujillo state, western Venezuela and they are 18 km apart. A relatively narrow continental platform during Paleocene times can be inferred from the existence of Paleocene rocks of the Rancheria Formation, deposited in outer and middle neritic environments. This formation probably grades laterally towards the east and northeast, into the Trujillo Formation (Paleocene-early Eocene), which was deposited in a middle to upper bathyal environment in turbiditic conditions. Paleocene units grade upwards into the Misoa Formation, deposited in deltaic to coastal marine environments. This suggests a regressive progradation over slope and platform during early to early middle Eocene times. Eocene sedimentation ends with the transgressive Caus and Pauji formations, typical of upper bathyal to outer neritic conditions. Low sedimentation and subsidence rates in the platform in the Chejende area is inferred by the marked difference between Rancheria and Misoa formation thicknesses in this area (95 m and 40 m) and the Butaque-S well (520 and 175 m).