Significance of an early cretaceous Rb-Sr age in the pescadero pluton, Santander Massif

Abstract

A Rb-Sr whole rock-mineral age of 129±8 Ma was yielded by the Pescadero Pluton. Stratigraphic relationships preclude an early Cretaceous age for this pluton. The occurrence of fluorite, quartz and calcite veins and a pervasive alteration at a mineral scale suggest that the Pescadero pluton has been affected by hydrothermal activity.

The new age is interpreted as dating an early Cretaceous hydrothermal event recorded in the area. This event is not associated with the magmatic evolution of the pluton, but is temporarily related to the Santander Massif paleo-topographic high, which separated the Tablazo-Magdalena and the Cocuy sedimentary basins.