The Uitpa Formation (, E3u) is a fossiliferous geological formation of the Cocinetas Basin in the northernmost department of La Guajira. The formation consists of calcareous mudstones interbedded with lithic sandstones. The Uitpa Formation dates to the Neogene period; Aquitanian to Burdigalian stages, corresponding to the Colhuehuapian in the SALMA classification, and has a maximum thickness of .
Etymology The formation was defined by Renz in 1960 and named after Uitpa.Moreno et al., 2015, p.7
Description Lithologies The Uitpa Formation consists of calcareous mudstones interbedded with lithic sandstones.Carrillo Briceño et al., 2016, p.78Hendy et al., 2015, p.47
Stratigraphy and depositional environment The Uitpa Formation overlies the Siamaná Formation and is overlain by the Jimol Formation. The age has been estimated to be Early Miocene, corresponding to the Colhuehuapian in the SALMA classification. The formation has been deposited in an open to deep marine environment.Rodríguez & Londoño, 2002, p.135
Petroleum geology The Uitpa Formation is a reservoir and seal rock formation in the Guajira Basin.ANH, 2010
Fossil content Group Fossils Notes Fishes Heptranchias cf. howellii, Centrophorus sp., Dalatias cf. licha, Pristiophorus sp., Isurus cf. oxyrinchus, Carcharocles sp., Alopias cf. superciliosus, Hemipristis serra, Carcharhinus gibbesii, Sphyrna laevissima, Mobula sp., Lamniformes indet., Teleostei indet. Invertebrates Turritella sp., Xenophora sp., Architectonica nobilis, Glossaulax sp., Orthaulax sp., Gorgasina sp., Adrana sp., Saccella sp., Limopsis sp., Mimachlamys canalis, Cyclopecten sp., Propeamussium sp., Ostrea sp., Pteria sp., Lucinoma sp., Psammacoma sp., Chionopsis sp., Antalis sp., Fissidentalium sp., Turridae indet.
See also Geology of the Eastern Hills Cesar-Ranchería Basin Honda Group Abanico Formation
References
Bibliography Local geology
Paleontology
Maps