Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 23, 2026

Ritoque Formation

The Ritoque Formation is a geological formation of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. The formation consists of grey siltstones, limestones and fine sandstones intercalated. The formation dates to the Early Cretaceous period; Early Hauterivian epoch and varies in thickness between 70 and 110 metres.

Last revised
Jul 23, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
482 w
Citations
3
Source
Ritoque Formation
Stratigraphic range: Early Hauterivian
~
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesPaja Formation
OverliesRosablanca Fm., Arcabuco Fm.
Thickness70–110 m (230–360 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySiltstone
OtherLimestone
Location
Coordinates4°27′07″N 74°03′20″W / 4.45194°N 74.05556°W / 4.45194; -74.05556
RegionAltiplano Cundiboyacense
Eastern Ranges, Andes
CountryColombia
Type section
Named forVereda Ritoque, Villa de Leyva
Named byEtayo
LocationVilla de Leyva
Year defined1968
Coordinates4°27′07″N 74°03′20″W / 4.45194°N 74.05556°W / 4.45194; -74.05556
RegionBoyacá, Santander
CountryColombia

The Ritoque Formation (Spanish: Formación Ritoque, Kiri, Kirt) is a geological formation of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. The formation consists of grey siltstones, limestones and fine sandstones intercalated. The formation dates to the Early Cretaceous period; Early Hauterivian epoch and varies in thickness between 70 and 110 metres (230 and 360 ft).

Definition

The formation was first defined and named by Etayo in 1968 after the vereda Ritoque of Villa de Leyva.1

Description

Lithologies

The Ritoque Formation is characterised by a sequence of grey siltstones, limestones and sandstones with a thickness between 70 and 110 metres (230 and 360 ft).1

Stratigraphy and depositional environment

The Ritoque Formation overlies the Rosablanca and Arcabuco Formations and is overlain by the Paja Formation. The age has been estimated to be Early Hauterivian. Stratigraphically, the formation is time equivalent with the Macanal Formation.2

Outcrops

Type locality of the Ritoque Formation on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense

The Ritoque Formation is found, apart from its type locality near Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, found in the vicinity.

See also

See also

Geology of the Eastern Hills
Geology of the Ocetá Páramo
Geology of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense
References

References

  1. Galvis & Valencia, 2009, p.10
  2. Galvis & Valencia, 2009, p.17

Bibliography

Maps

External links