Geometric reconstruction of thrusts in the Sierra de los Organos Massif (western Cuba)

Abstract

A developmental scheme of fold-thrusts against a palaegeographic background is presented, basing upon a spatial analysis of the Sierra de los Organos structures in the Gauniguanico Cordillera (western Cuba). Thrusting which took place within the Sierra de los Organos terrane (Ch. W. Hatten et al., 1988; K. Piotrowska, 1993) resulted from deep-seated processes of a regional extent. The thrusting process was initiated during the early Middle Eocene (K. Piotrowska, 1978; A. Pszczółkowski, 1978). Initial detachment of the whole Jurassic-Tertiary sequence from its basement occurred in the basal part of the sandstone-shale San Cayetano Formation. Within this huge mass detached from its basement, another detachment took place. This occurred at top parts of the San Cayetano Formation which is overlain by a considerably thick carbonate sequence. An essential role in the process of nappes formation was played by a difference in competency (strength) of rock formations. Two nappes were formed: the Mogote and Alturas de Pizarras del Sur nappes. Due to compressive conditions existing all the time and related to a migration of the Sierra de los Organos terrane towards the north, both these nappes were subjected to a process of imbrication and duplexing. A stack of imbrications of the Mogote nappe was formed, over which duplex structures of the San Cayetano Formation composing the Alturas de Pizarras del Sur nappe were thrusted. As a result a structural inversion was taking place. The highest position is occupied by tectonic units of the metamorphosed nappe (J. Piotrowski, 1976). They come from the southern part of the terrane which underwent metamorphic processes (greenschist facies).