Late Cretaceous and Paleogene Radiolaria from the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: a tectonostratigraphic application

Detailed field mapping and paleontological dating in the central and southeastern Nicoya Peninsula has revealed Late Cretaceous and Paleogene radiolarian-bearing siliceous mudstones. These rocks belong to two terranes (Matambfi and Manzanillo) that are partially contemporaneous with the Nicoya Complex, but are genetically different. While the Nicoya Complex is formed exclusively by intraplate igneous rocks with associated radiolarites, the studied sections include variable amounts of are-derived volcanic and terrigenous materials. These fore-arc terranes include mafic to intermediate volcaniclastics and associated pelagic and hemipelagic rocks rich in biogenic silica. Radiolarian preservation in these sediments is often enhanced by the presence of silica-saturated volcanic tuffs and debris. Seven out of 29 samples from different outcrops yielded relatively well-preserved radiolarian faunas. In total, 60 species belonging to 34 genera were present in these faunas, ranging in age from middle Turonian-Santonian to late Thanetian-Ypresian.