Early Cretaceous Conomita outcrop: structural analysis of syn-sedimentary gravity-driven deformations (NE Venezuela)

October 10, 2020

An updated analysis of Conomita Fold outcrop (Barranquin Fm.) was performed using an image of a field-trip guide-book organized by PDVSA in 1993: Excursion al Frente de Montaña, Venezuela Oriental (Stop # 5). “Remote” structural analysis carried-out along this outcrop reveals the existence of several deformation episodes related to gravity-driven processes. Conomita fold appears to be a slump feature generated in a deltaic setting. Early Cretaceous rocks were strongly tilted during the Miocene-Recent tectonics phase contemporaneously to El Pilar right-lateral strike-slip fault.

An updated analysis of Conomita Fold outcrop (Barranquin Fm.) was performed using an image of field-trip guide-book organized by PDVSA in 1993: Excursion al Frente de Montaña, Venezuela Oriental (Stop # 5).
“Remote”structural analysis carried-out along this outcrop reveals the existence of several deformation episodes related to gravity-driven processes. Conomita fold appears to be a slump feature generated in a deltaic setting.
Early Cretaceous rocks were strongly tilted during Miocene-Recent tectonics phase contemporaneously to El Pilar right-lateral strike slip fault.
Amore exhaustive structural analysis should take into account the original thicknesses of para-sequences described throughout the outcrop. A valid restoration study needs to consider the original thicknesses prior to compaction because “soft” deformations occurred during early stage of Barranquin Formation sedimentation.
This outcrop could be used eventually as an analog structure for hydrocarbon reservoirs and fault-seal analysis exercise.
Conomita slump was previously described in: Cabrera, E., Campos, V., Chigne, N.,Hernandez, Fr. Galea, O. Macsotay and V.Vivas, 1988 Excursión al Frente de Montaña, Venezuela oriental, III Simposio Bolivariano de Cuencas Subandinas,Caracas,51 pp.

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