Crust Model in the Eastern Region of Cuba

S. Arriaza, J. L. Prol

This paper shows a Crust Model in the Eastern Region of Cuba along three lines. Two of them (VIII and XIII), pass through Cuba's Eastern province in a NW-SE direction. The other one is the union of four refracting regional lines (IXA, IXB-IXC, 80) of SW-NE placement with a connecting line.

Length of XIII, VIII and (IXA, IXB-IXC, 80) lines are 300, 280 and 160 kilometers respectively.

This territory was investigated by different geophysical methods such as CDP (Common Depth Point), refracting waves method, Seismic Refraction interpretation by earthquake waves and others. All these studies help to clear up the structural crust.

In this paper we present the velocity and density distribution data from the sedimentary crust to the Moharovichich surface.

According to Well Drilling studies, Vertical Seismic Profiling studies (VSP), great thickness of the several Tectono-Stratigraphic Units (TSU) in Cuba, and the analysis of first and second arrival times of refracting waves from 3000 kilometers of seismic lines, we concluded that granitic beds are not present in Cuba.

Because of high bound velocity of the sedimentary crust basement (Basaltic), 7,2-7,4 kilometer/seg., high values of Bouguer Anomalies and the small depth of the Mohorovichich surface, we further concluded there is a predominately oceanic crust in this Region of Cuba.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995