Contribution to the geological knowledge of the southern range of Sierra La Candelaria, Salta prov., Argentine Republic

Abstract

Contribution to the geological knowledge of the southern range of Sierra La Candelaria, Salta prov., Argentine Republic?. The main features of the geology of the southern La Candelaria range, in the province of Salta, are discused. The stratigraphic sequence begins with the metamorphic rocks of the Medina formation (?Precambrian ? Lower Cambrian), followed by relicts of the NW Argentina's Lower Paleozoic basins represented by the Candelaria formation (Upper Cambrian) and the Orcomato formation (Lower Tremadocian) with trilobites. After a long hiatus follows the Salta Group, here represented by Los Blanquitos formation with dinosaur remains; the Yacoraite formation with fossil invertebrates, fish and dinosaurs, both of Senonian age; and the Santa Barbara Subgroup s.l. (Lower Tertiary). On the top lies the Río Salí formation (Middle Tertiary). A considerable part of the area is covered by Quaternary deposits. The principal: structures correspond to the N-S striking anticline which forms La Candelaria range; the Aguas Calientes fault (of strike slip type) and a N-S fault placed at the toot of the range which affects Quaternary levels.