Capotes Formation

The Capotes Formation (Formación Capotes, Kic) is a geological formation of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. The formation consists of calcareous black shales containing gypsum and ammonites and dates to the Early Cretaceous period; Early Albian epoch and has an approximate thickness at its type section of 550 m.

Etymology
The formation was defined in 1969 by Cáceres and Etayo as a member of the Socotá Formation. The name is derived from Hacienda Capotes, southeast of Viotá.

Lithologies
The Capotes Formation has a thickness at its type section of approximately 550 m, and is characterised by a sequence of organic rich calcareous shales with gypsum. Fossils of Douvilleiceras solitae, Neodeshayesites columbianus and Paracrioceras sp. have been found in the Capotes Formation.

Stratigraphy and depositional environment
The Capotes Formation, part of the Villeta Group, overlies the Socotá and El Peñón Formations, and is overlain by the Hiló Formation. The age has been estimated to be Early Albian. Stratigraphically, the formation is time equivalent with the Simití Formation. The formation has been deposited in a quiet enclosed shallow marine environment. In terms of sequence stratigraphy, the Albian of current central Colombia experienced a transgressive to highstand sequence.

Outcrops
The Capotes Formation is apart from its type locality along the road between Bituima and Guayabal, also found north and southeast of Viotá, and north and east of La Mesa.