Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: petro_geo21 on 05/08/2010 19:18:07

Title: What is the geological origin of cuba?
Post by: petro_geo21 on 05/08/2010 19:18:07

I've been trying to get a clear picture of this for the longest time and so far it seems like there isn't any. Can anybody help me or at least point me in the right direction?

Title: What is the geological origin of cuba?
Post by: Ophiolite on 06/08/2010 10:52:13

Here is my simplistic understanding based on a cursory examination of two links in a Bing search.

Cuba is the result of a suture between a Creataceous island arc and the Bahamas platform. As a consequence the island contains substantial amounts of limetsone, from the platform sedimentation; many volcanics, from the island arc; metamorphic elements, exhumed from subducted material and including - bless them - ophiolite sequences.

You may find these links of use:
http://www.mineralogie.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/eng/forschung/kuba.html

http://publish.uwo.ca/~wrchurch/cuba.htm

Title: What is the geological origin of cuba?
Post by: JimBob on 06/08/2010 23:22:25

There are good descriptions - well one at least; and then mine - already posted for the island of Hispaniola. In general, the history is very, very similar. But being in a slightly different position, there are transform (strike- slip) faults in the eastern western part of Hispaniola where the island came in-line with Cuba.
 
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=16256.0.

As Ophiolite pointed out, there are ophiolitic sequences (former sea bed volcanic rocks) In Cuba as well as on the island of Hispaniola.  (ophiolitic sequences http://www.eos.ubc.ca/courses/eosc221/rock_cycle/ophiolite.html)

The Haitian earthquake of this year occurred along one of the transform faults that are a result of relative movement of Cuba with respect to Hispaniola.

 

Title: What is the geological origin of cuba?
Post by: petro_geo21 on 10/08/2010 18:21:01

Thanks a million guys!