Fómeque Formation

The Fómeque Formation (Formación Fómeque, Kif) is a geological formation of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. The predominantly organic shale formation dates to the Early Cretaceous period; Barremian to Late Aptian epochs and has a maximum thickness of 1200 m.

Etymology
The formation was defined and named in 1957 by Hubach after Fómeque, Cundinamarca.

Lithologies
The Fómeque Formation has a maximum thickness of 1200 m, and is characterised by a sequence of pyritic organic shales, with limestones and sandstone banks intercalated in the formation. The Fómeque Formation contains high values of TOC. Fossils of Acarthohoplites sp., Melchionites sp., Nicklesia sp., Olcostephanus sp., Pulchellia sp. have been found in the formation.

Stratigraphy and depositional environment
The Fómeque Formation overlies the Las Juntas Formation and is overlain by the Une Formation. The age has been estimated to be Barremian to Late Aptian. Stratigraphically, the formation is time equivalent with the Mercedes Formation. The formation has been deposited in a shallow marine environment.

Outcrops
The Fómeque Formation is apart from its type locality, found in other parts of the Eastern Ranges.