Field trip guide of the Recôncavo basin, NE Brazil

Abstract

The Recôncavo Basin, in the Northeastern region of Brazil, is part of a large rift basin - the Recôncavo-Tucano-Jatobá, originated during the Early Cretaceous when the Western Gondwana was broken under the stress fields that created the South Atlantic Ocean. The basin holds an important geological record represented by a section of lacustrine sandstones and shales. The very efficient petroleum system that exists in the basin makes this one of the most prolific areas in Brazil Since the very beginning of the oil industry in Brazil, the stratigraphical and structural features of the Recôncavo Basin have been used for training successive generations of explorationists. In the present work some of the classical outcrops of the basin are presented, as well as a brief introductory section on the regional aspects of the rift system.