Geological mapping of intrusive rocks: a case study in the Garzón region, the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes

Abstract

Jurassic granites (sensu lato) and related rocks are the most abundant rocks cropping out in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia in the northern Andes. We present an attempt to map and characterize in detail the petrographic diversity of the Jurassic granites and related subvolcanic rocks emplaced in the Garzón region, southernmost the Eastern Cordillera. We also provide new geological maps for the Algeciras and Altamira Plutonic Massifs based on descriptive concepts of the petrographic facies and facies associations and detailed petrographic and mineralogical characterizations of the observed granite types. Eight plutonic and three subvolcanic petrographic facies or facies associations were mapped in the Algeciras Plutonic Massif, and another five in the Altamira Plutonic Massif. Hornblende biotite granites (syeno- and monzogranites) are the main plutonic types constituting the first massif, while leucogranites prevail in the second massif; a zoned facies distribution was mapped in the Algeciras Plutonic Massif. Felsic porphyries (dacite and rhyolite) crop out as minor irregular intrusive bodies or dikes and mafic-intermediate syn-plutonic dikes (mostly microdiorites) cross cut the main plutonic rocks in both massifs. Geological and petrographic characteristics (e.g. micrographic textures) suggest relatively shallow emplacement levels for the plutonic rocks as well as slightly high uplift and erosion rates at the north of the studied area. Local penetrative solid-state planar structures and dike orientations conform with dextral strike-slip movements along the SSW-NNE trending Algeciras Fault System in a transpressional regime associated with a major compressive and oblique convergence in Jurassic ages.