Geometry of Cauto-Guacanayabo basin, Cuba

The Cauto-Guacanayabo basin is located in the southern part of the Guacanayabo-Nipe tectonic corridor, Eastern Cuba, and records the evidence of the evolution of the Cuban Orogen. The objective of this work is to determine the geometry of the sedimentary infill of the basin, as well as the relationship between the units that constitute it. This study is based on the interpretation of several 2D seismic lines, geological data of surface and boreholes. Four tectonosequences have been defined (TSA, TSB, TSC, TSD) delimited by four regional unconformities in the basin (U-0, U-1, U-2, U-3). The TSA is formed by Charco Redondo, Puerto Boniato, Farallón Grande and San Luís formations, with ages from the middle Eocene to the upper Eocene. The Sevilla Arriba, Paso Real, Camazán and Güines formations constitute the TSB; its age varies between the upper Oligocene and the middle Miocene. The TSC covers a period of age between the middle Miocene and the lower Pliocene and is composed of the Cabo Cruz and Manzanillo formations. The TSD is formed by the Río Maya, Dátil, Bayamo, Cauto, Jaimanitas, Villarroja, Río Macío, and Jutia formations, and the informal stratigraphic unit Marga Demajagua. The age of this tectonosequence varies between the upper Pliocene and the Holocene. This study brings new knowledge about Cuban synorogenic strike-slip basins. In addition, it allows us to understand how the complexity and compartmentalization of the sedimentary infill of the basin are the results of the evolution of the Cauto-Nipe sinistral strike-slip fault.