Ritoque Formation

The Ritoque Formation (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 m.

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

Lithologies
The Ritoque Formation is characterised by a sequence of grey siltstones, limestones and sandstones with a thickness between 70 and 110 m.

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.

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