Geophysical Evidence about of Continental Margin Central in the Basin of Cuba

Abstract

The Central basin of Cuba, bounded by the Zaza Tuinicú and La Trocha faults, is the site of threesmall oil fields and many showings, both at the surface and in wells. The petroleum is found mainlyin volcano-sedimentary rocks and sediments laid down during the Cuban progeny. With contrastswith petroleum on the north coast of the country in the intensely folded sediments of the continentalmargin in the Provinces of Havana, Mayabeque and Matanzas. The presence of these sedimentsbeneath the Cretaceous volcanic arc has been proposed based on geological evidence. Nevertheless,these sediments have yet to be encountered in the numerous drill holes present in the area. Thisstudy offers geophysical evidence pointing to the presence of the Placetas and Camajuaní tectonicstratigraphicunits at no great depths. The present analysis given here takes into account a geologicalinterpretation as well as both regional and local gravitational, magnetic and seismic studies; well datais also included as an integral part of the study. Finally, after presenting evidence based on seismicexploration and taking into account the limitations of this method applied to the Cuban fold belt, wepropose the use of more modern techniques to locate raised portions of the Placetas and Camajuanítectono-stratigraphic units.