Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic history of Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The late Cretaceous-Cenozoic history of northeastern Brazil is characterized by relief development, correlative sediments and paleosoil profiles. Between Albian and Miocene the so-called Sulamericana Surface developed on a slowly epirogenetic doming area, with the formation of kaolinic and arenaceous soils. During the Miocene the uplift became stronger with consequent deposition of the correlative Serra do Martins Formation and basaltic volcanism. During the more quiet Pliocene a lateritic soil developed on these sediments (Cuité Soil). The early Quaternary glaciations again caused rupture of the equilibrium, resulting in the removal of most of the sedimentary cover of the region, depositing the detritus along the coast. Erosion halted on the reappearing Jurassic planation surface elaborated in crystalline basement rocks (Sertaneja and Tabuleiros Surface). During the interglacial periods soil formation took place on the correlative deposits (Guararapes Formation, Riacho Morno Soil). The last two glaciations which apparently were of stronger intensity, caused the formation of pediments with bornhardts, and river and coastel terraces (polyphase Paraguaçu Cycle). Correlative deposits were laid down in grabens caused by tectonic reactivation (Macaiba Formation). The covering Potengi Soil was formed during the last interglacials. Recent deposition of white sands suggests a new rupture of climatic equiliblium. Paleontological evidence of this history is scarce.