Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.14, No.3, pp. 275-290, 1991

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

SEDIMENTARY BASINS OF THE NE CARIBBEAN PLATE BOUNDARY ZONE
AND THEIR PETROLEUM POTENTIAL

D. K. Larue* and A. J. Warner**

* Geology Dept., University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR 00708.

** Aladdin Petroleum, 221 S. Broadway, Suite 809. Witchita, Kansas 67202. USA.

Abstract

Sedimentary basins in the NE Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone are associated with the evolution of a Cretaceous to Early Tertiary island arc, and with carbonate banks which formed following cessation of volcanism in the Eocene to Oligocene. Neogene sedimentary basins are typically present where crustal blocks in the plate boundary zone have undergone divergence, with or without rotation. Cretaceous through Oligocene basins may also have formed during divergence between crustal blocks, although this is difficult to prove owing to limited exposure and subsequent tectonic deformation. Other basins are associated with localized overthrusting along the plate boundaries.