Coquimbo Formation () is a Miocene to Middle Pleistocene sedimentary formation located in Coquimbo Region in Norte Chico, Chile. The lowermost unit belongs to the lower Miocene, with the third-deepest unit dated at 11.9 ± 1.0 Ma. The uppermost unit of the formation is estimated at 1.2 Ma. In the area of Tongoy, the Coquimbo Formation was deposited in an ancient bay that was formed in a graben or half-graben, with a normal fault dipping east. Sea level changes during the Holocene have caused erosion to cut several marine terraces into the formation.
Fossil content
The following fossils have been found in the formation:
See also
Cerro Ballena
Elqui-Limarí Batholith
Caleta Herradura Formation
Navidad Formation
Pisco Formation
References
Further reading
C. Acosta Hospitaleche, J. Canto, and C. P. Tambussi. 2006. Pingüinos (Aves, Spheniscidae) en Coquimbo (Mioceno Medio-Plioceno Tardio), Chile y su vinculación con las corrientes oceánicas. Revista Española de Paleontología 21(1):115-122