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Figure 1. (Top) Tectonic map of the northern Caribbean region. (Bottom) Generalized geologic-tectonic map of Cuba modified from Iturralde-Vinent (2011).

Caribbean Transform Fault System (including the Oriente Fault), transferred NW CARIB, including Cuba, to NOAM (Pindell and GSA TODAY | www.geosociety.org/gsatoday
which defines the present North American–Caribbean (NOAM- Kennan, 2009).
CARIB) plate boundary south of Cuba (Fig. 1A).
The geology of Cuba is dominated by three lithotectonic asso-
The Greater Antilles Arc began to form ~135 m.y. ago, after the ciations, which reflect its evolution as a Cretaceous-Paleogene
breakup of Pangea, along the leading edge of CARIB, due to convergent margin: (1) deformed (para)autochthonous NOAM
SW-dipping subduction of NOAM beneath NW CARIB. The Jurassic and Cretaceous continental margin and basin sections
Cuban arc finally collided with Florida and the Bahamian plat- and Paleocene-Eocene synorogenic foredeep deposits; (2) oceanic
form in middle to late Eocene time (ca. 48–40 Ma). About this lithosphere and associated sedimentary rocks that formed on
time, the Cayman spreading ridge and the Oriente transform CARIB, including ophiolite complexes and serpentinite mélanges.
formed to the south (Fig. 1A), resulting in a new NOAM-CARIB These oceanic crustal assemblages are associated with ca.
plate boundary zone (PBZ) along the new fault system (Burke et 135–47 Ma magmatic activity and interbedded with or overlain
al., 1978). This plate reorganization also resulted in the formation by synorogenic basins; and (3) (neo)autochthonous late Eocene
of the small Gonave plate SE of Cuba (Fig. 1A). These events to Recent deposits that unconformably overlie the two older

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