1887
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Basin Research
  4. Volume 2, Issue 3
  5. Article
Volume 2 Number 3
  • E-ISSN: 1365-2117

Abstract

The Pitaiito Basin is an intramontane basin (15 × 20 km2) situated at the junction of the Central and Eastern Cordillera in the southern part of the Colombian Andes. Tectonic structures, evolution of the basin and distribution of the sediments suggest that the basin was formed adjacent to an active dextral strike‐slip fault. Based on sedimentation rates it is estimated that subsidence started around 4.5 Ma. The basin can be divided into a relatively shallow western part (. 300 m deep) and a deep eastern part (. 1200 m deep). The transition between both areas is sharp and is delineated by a NW/SE‐oriented fault. The position of this fault is reflected by the areal distribution of the deep non‐exposed sediments as well as sediments at the surface: west of this fault the basin infill consists of coarse to medium elastics (conglomerates and sand) whereas in the eastern part fine elastics (clay and peat) are present. The lateral transition between both types of sediment is abrupt and its position is stable in time.

The surface and near surface sediments in the Pitalito Basin reflect the last stage of sedimentary infill which came to a halt between 17,000 and 7500 years . These sediments were deposited by an eastward prograding fluvial system. The western upstream part of this system differs significantly from that of the eastern part which forms the downstream continuation. The western part exhibits unstable, shallow fluvial channels that wandered freely over the surface which predominantly consists of clayey overbank sediments. The alluvial architecture in the eastern half is characterized by stable channels and thick accumulations of organic‐rich flood basin sediments and resembles an anastomosing river. The transition between both alluvial systems also coincides with the N/S‐oriented normal fault. Palaeoclimatic conditions over the last . 61,500 years were determined by means of a pollen record. From . 61,500 to 20,000 years BP the mean annual temperature fluctuated considerably and decreased by 2–3oC during the relatively warm periods (interstadials) and by 6–8oC during the cold periods (stadials) in comparison with modern temperatures. These changes led to a displacement of the zonal vegetation belts from . 200 m during the stadials to . 1500 m in interstadial times without significant effects on the fluvial system present in the Pitaiito Basin until . 20,000 years BP. Around this period the organic‐rich eastern flood basins were choked with sediments and peat growth came to an end. Palynological and sedimentological data suggest that around that period the climate was cold (Δ 6–8oC) and very dry and that a sparse vegetation cover was present around the basin. In these semi‐arid climatic conditions the river system changed from an anastomosing pattern to one with ephemeral stream characteristics. This may have lasted until at least 17,000 years BP.

Somewhere between 17,000 and 7500 years BP the eastward‐flowing infilling river system changed into a NW‐flowing erosive river system due to climatic or tectonic control and the present state was reached.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2117.1989.tb00033.x
2007-11-06
2024-04-24

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2117.1989.tb00033.x
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Allen, J. R. L. (1964) Studies in fluviatile sedimentation: six cyclothems from the Lower Red Sandstone, Anglo‐Welsh Basin. Sedimentology3, 163–198.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Alexander, J. & Leeder, M. R. (1987) Active tectonic control on alluvial architecture. In: Recent Development in Fluvial Sedimentology (Ed. by F.G.Ethridge, R. M.Flores and M. D.Harvey). Spec. Publ. Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner. Tulsa, 39, 243–252.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Barker, J. G. M. (1990) Tectonic and climatic controls on sedimentary processes in a neotectonic intramontane basin (The Pitalito Basin, South Colombia). PhD Thesis, Wageningen Agricultural University.
  4. Ballance, P. F.
    & Reading, H. G. (eds) (1980) Sedimentation in oblique‐slip mobile zones. Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sed.4, 265 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Beerbower, J. R. (1964) Cyclothems and cyclic depositional mechanisms in alluvial plain sedimentation. In: Symposium on Cyclic Sedimentation (Ed. by F. D.Merriam). Bull. geol. Surv. Kansas169, 31–42.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Beltrán, N. & Gallo, J. (1968) The geology of the Neiva sub‐basin, Upper Magdalena basin. In: Geological field‐trips Colombia 1959–1978, 253–277.
  7. Butler, R. E. (1983) Andean‐type foreland deformation: Structural development of the Neiva Basin, Upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia. PhD Thesis, University of South Carolina, 272 pp.
  8. Butler, R. E. & Schamel, S. (1988) Structure along the eastern margin of the Central Cordillera, Upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia. J. South Am. Earth Sci.1, 109–120.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Casshyap, S. M. & R.C.Tewari (1984) Fluvial models of the Lower Permian coal measures of Son‐Mahanadi and Koel‐Damodar Valley basins, India. In: Sedimentology of Coal and Coal‐bearing Sequences (Ed. by Rahmani, R. A. and R. M.Flores). Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment.7, 121–147.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Chorowicz, J., Bourgeois,.J. & Guillande, R. (1987) Geological mapping using SPOT imagery in Colombia areas of Pereira‐Manizales (Risaralda and Caldas) and of Campoalegre‐Hobo (Huila), 1–18.
  11. Christie‐Blick, N. & Biddle, K. T. (1985) Deformation and basin formation along strike‐slip faults. In: Strike‐slip Deformation, Basin Formation and Sedimentation (Ed. by K. T.Biddle and N.Christie‐Blick). Spec. Publ. Soc. econ. Paleont. Miner., Tulsa37, 1–35.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Coleman, J. M., Gagliano, S. M. & Webb, J. E. (1964) Minor sedimentary structures in a prograding distributary. Mar. Geol.1, 240–258.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Crowell, J. C. (1974) Origin of late cenozoic basins in southern California. In: Tectonics and Sedimentation (Ed. by W. R.Dickinson). Spec. Publ. Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner., Tulsa22, 190–204.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Crowell, J. C.
    & Link., M. H. (eds) (1982) Geological History of Ridge Basin, southern California. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Pacific section, 304 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Duncan, R. A. & Hargreaves, R. B. (1984) Plate tectonic evolution of the Caribbean region in the mantle reference frame. In: The Caribean‐South American Plate Boundary and Regional Tectonics (Ed. by W. E.Bonini, R. B.Hargraves and R.Shagam), 81–95.
  16. Fielding, G R. (1984) A coal depositional model for the Durham Coal Measures of NIL England. J. Geol. Soc. London141, 919–931.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Flores, R. M. (1981) Coal deposition in fluvial paleoenvironments of the Paleocene Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation, Powder River area, Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana. In: Recent and Ancient Nonmarine Depositional Environments: models for exploration (Ed. by F. G.Ethridge and R. M.Flores). Spec. Publ. Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner., Tulsa31, 169–190.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. Flores, R. M. & Hanley, J. H. (1984) Anastomosed and associated coal‐bearing fluvial deposits: Upper Tongue River Member, Palaeocene Fort Union Formation, northern Powder River Basin, Wyoming, U.S.A. In: Sedimentology of Coal and Coal‐bearing Sequences (Ed by Rahmani, R. A. and R. M.Flores). Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment.7, 85–103.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Guion, P. D. (1984) Crevasse splay deposits and roof‐rock quality in the Threequarters Seam (Carboniferous) in the East Midlands Coalfield, U.K. In: Sedimentology of Coal and Coal‐bearing Sequences (Ed. by Rahmani, R. A. and R. M.Flores). Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment.7, 291–308.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Hooke, R. Le B. (1972) Geomorphic evidence for late‐Wisconsin and Holocene tectonic deformation, Death Valley, California. Bull. geol. Soc. Am.83, 2073–2098.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Koefoed, O. (1979) Geosounding principles 1,Resistivity Sounding Measurements. Elsevier, Amsterdam , 276 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Kraus, M. J. (1986) Intergration of channel and flood basin suites, II. Vertical relations of alluvial paleosols. J. sedim. Petrol.57/4, 602–613.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Kraus, M. J. & Middleton, L. T. (1987) Contrasting architecture of two alluvial suites in different structural settings. In: Recent Developments in Fluvial Sedimentology (Ed. by F. G.Ethridge, R. M.Flores and M. D.Harvey). Spec. Pubis Soc. econ. Paleont. Miner., Tulsa39, 253–262.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Kroonenberg, S. B., Leon, L. A., Pastana, J. M. & Pessoa, M. R. (1981) Ignimbritas plio‐pleistoc6nicas en el suroeste del Huila, Colombia, y su influencia en el desarrollo morfolögico. Memoria Primer Seminario Cuaternario Colombia,Revista CIAF6, 293–314.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Kroonenberg, S. B. & Diederix, H. (1982) Geology of south‐central Huila, Uppermost Magdalena Valley, Colombia. Guide Book, 21st Annual Field Conference, Col. Soc. Petroleum Ceol. & Ceoph. , 39 pp.
  26. Kuhry, P. (1988) A palaeobotanical‐palaeoecological studies of tropical high andean peatbog sections (Cordillera Oriental, Colombia).University of Amsterdam. PhD ThesisDiss. Bot.116, 214 pp.
  27. Manspeizer, W. (1985) The Dead Sea Rift: impact of climate and tectonism on Pleistocene and Holocene sedimentation. In: Strike‐slip Deformation, Basin Formation, and Sedimentation (Ed. by K. T.Biddle and N.Christie‐Blick). Spec. Publ. Soc. econ. Paleont. Miner., Tulsa37, 143–159.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. McClean, J. R. & Jerzykiewicz, T. (1978) Cyclicity, tectonics and coal: Some aspects of fluvial sedimentology in the Brazeau‐Paskapoo Formations, Coal Valley Area, Alberta, Canada. In: Fluvial Sedimentology (Ed. by A. D.Miall). Can. Soc. Petrol. Geot.5, 441–468.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. McLaughlin, R. J. & Nilsen, T. H. (1980) Tectonic framework of the Neogene Little Sulphur Creek basins, Sonoma County, California. Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. with Prog.12, 119.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. McLaughlin, R. J. & Nilsen, T. H. (1982) Neogene non‐marine sedimentation in small pull‐apart basins of the San Andreas fault system, Sonoma County, California. Sedimentology, 29, 865–876.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Miall, A. D. (1983) Basin analysis of fluvial sediments. In: Modern and Ancient Fluvial Systems (Ed. by J. D.Collinson and J.Lewin). Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment6, 279–287.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. Nilsen, T. H., McLaughun, R. J., Griffin, E. A. & Zuffa, G. G. (1980) Fluvial and lacustrine sedimentology of the Neogene Little Sulphur Creek basins, Sonoma County, California. Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. with Prvgr.12, 45.
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Nilsen, T. H. & McLaughlin, R. J. (1985) Comparison of tectonic framework and depositional patterns of the Hornelen strike‐slip basin of Norway and the Ridge and Little Sulphur Creek strike‐slip basins of California. In: Strike‐slip Deformation, Basin Formation, and Sedimentation (Ed. by K. T.Biddle and N.Christie‐Blick). Spec. Publ. Soc. econ. Paleont. Miner., Tulsa37, 79–105.
    [Google Scholar]
  34. O'Neill, D. J. (1975) Improved linear filter coefficients for application in apparent resistivity computations. Geophys. Prospect.22, 279–296.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. Parasnis, D. S. (1986) Principles of Applied Geophysics, 4th edn. Chapman and Hall, London . 402 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Pennington, W. D. (1981) Subduction of the Eastern Panama Basin and seismotectonics of northwestern South America, J. geophys. Res.86, 11, 10753–10770.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Reading, H. G. (1980) Characteristics and recognition of strike‐slip fault systems. In: Sedimentation in Oblique‐slip Mobile Zones (Ed. by P. F.Ballance and H. G.Reading). Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment.4, 7–27.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. Rust, B. R. (1981) Sedimentation in an arid‐zone anastomosing fluvial system: Cooper's Creek, Central Australia. J. sedim. Petrol.51/3, 745–755.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Rust, B. R., Gibling, M. R. & Legun, A. S. (1984) Coal deposition in an anastomosing‐fluvial system: the Pennsylvanian Cumberland Group south of Joggins, Nova Scotia, Canada. In: Sedimentology of Coal and Coal‐bearing Sequences (Ed. by Rahmani, R. A. and R. M.Flores). Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment.7, 105–120.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. Sadler, P. M. (1981) Sediment accumulation rates and the completeness of stratigraphic sections. J. Geol.89, 569–584.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Salomons, J. B. (1986) Paleoecology of volcanic soils in the Colombian Cordillera Central (Parque Nacional Natural de los Nevados).University of Amsterdam. PhD ThesisDiss. Bot.95, 212.
  42. Schreve‐Brinkman, E. J. (1978) A palynological study of the Upper Quaternary sequence in the El Abra corridor and rock shelters (Colombia). Palaeogeogr. Paleoclim. Palaeoecol.25, 1–109.
    [Google Scholar]
  43. Schumm, S. A. (1968) Speculations concerning paleohydrologic controls of terrestrial sedimentation. Bull. geol. Soc. Am.79, 1573–1588.
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Smith, D. G. (1983) Anastomosed fluvial deposits: modern examples from Western Canada. In: Modern and Ancient Fluvial Systems (Ed. by J. D.Collinson and J.Lewin). Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment.6, 155–168.
    [Google Scholar]
  45. Smith, D. G. & Putnam, P. E. (1980) Anastomosed river deposits: modern and ancient examples in Alberta, Canada. Can. J. Earth. Sci.17, 1396–1406.
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Smith, D. G. & Smith, N.D. (1980) Sedimentation in anastomosed river systems: examples from alluvial valleys near Banff, Alberta. J. sedim. Petrol.50/1, 157–164.
    [Google Scholar]
  47. Talwani, M., Worzel, J. L. & Landisman, M. (1959) Rapid gravity computation for two‐dimensional bodies with application to the Mendicino submarine fracture zone. J. geophys. Res.64, 49–59.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Telford, W. M., Geldart, L. P., Sheriff, R. E. & Keys, D. A. (1976) Applied Geophysics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge , 860 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  49. Trojer, P. (1959) Fundamención para una zonificación meteorológica y climatológica del tropica y especialmente de Columbia. Revista Cenicafé10/8, 287–363.
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Van der Hammen, T. (1974) The Pleistocene changes of vegetation and climate in tropical South America. J. Biogeogr.1, 3–26.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Van der Hammen, T. (1981) Environmental changes in the northern Andes and the extinction of Mastodon. Geol. Mijnb.60, 369–372.
    [Google Scholar]
  52. Van der Hammen, T. (1989) History of the montane forests of the northern Andes. Plant Systematics and Evolution162, 109–114.
    [Google Scholar]
  53. Van der Wijk, A. (1987) Radiometric Dating by Alpha Spectrometry on Uranium Series Nuclides. PhD thesis, University of Groningen, 165 pp.
  54. Van Geel, B. & van der Hammen, T. (1973) Upper Quaternary vegetational and climatic sequence of the Fuquene area, Eastern Cordillera, Colombia. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol.14, 9–92.
    [Google Scholar]
  55. Van Houten, F. & Travis, R. B. (1968) Cenozoic deposits, Upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol.52/4, 675–702.
    [Google Scholar]
  56. Won, I. J. & Bevis, M. (1987) Computing the gravitational and magnetic anomalies due to a polygon: Algorithms and FORTRAN subroutines. Geophysics52, 232–238.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2117.1989.tb00033.x
Loading
  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error