Tectono-stratigraphic development of the Coastal Group of south-eastern Jamaica

The sedimentary succession of southeastern Jamaica preserves a depositional record of accommodation changes and tectonic events for the last 14 Ma. The depositional systems which occur in the area have been classified according to distinct tectono-stratigraphic packages based on the depositional environments, rapid facies changes, and or significant erosion surfaces. This paper places the sedimentology and geochemistry within a tectonic evolutionary framework for the northern margin of the Caribbean Plate over the last 14 Ma. This involves considering issues of changing accommodation; deformation episodes including folding and faulting and the subsequent cutting of unconformities. A model for the tectono-stratigraphic development of southeastern Jamaica is also proposed. The model incorporates critical surfaces, major faults, subsidence and uplift which later influence the depositional environments.