Led by: Dr. Laura León, Dr. Pablo Ormeño
Field area: Quebrada La Flecha – Caleras San Juan
Objectives:
To recognize the geological and industrial aspects of the limestones exposed in Quebrada La Flecha, and to identify the stratigraphic units of economic importance for lime production.
Summary: The field trip will include visits to the outcrops of Cambrian–Ordovician carbonate rocks exposed in Quebrada La Flecha. In addition to the impressive structural arrangement of the stratigraphic sequence, participants will observe its lithological variations, whose deposition corresponds to a stable platform sedimentary environment with fluctuations in eustatic sea level. Within this context, it is essential to recognize those stratigraphic levels that are economically exploitable.
As part of this trip, participants will also visit the facilities of Caleras San Juan, located in the town of Cienaguita. This will provide an excellent opportunity to learn in detail about the characteristics of the rocks used, the industrial processing plant, the operation of high-technology kilns used to produce high-quality lime, and the photovoltaic plant that supplies a large portion of the energy required for the calcination process.
This field trip is planned as a one-day activity to be held as part of the Pre-Congress program.
