ARE SEDIMENTARY ROCKS OF TERTIARY IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF COLOMBIA RAISING UP? FAR FROM THE RHETORIC, CLOSER TO REALITY?

After a Quaternary course, we would think that several geological structures and events have not been fully identified, inventoried, analyzed, and recognized as geological heritage in the Caribbean part of Colombia in reference to the raise of sedimentary rocks. Also, they are not accurately documented in official maps. They are not taken into account as potential targets for national and international geo-tourism and ecotourism by municipal, departmental and national levels, such as the case of mud volcanoes, coal basin, strike curvature of the sedimentary rocks, and also, the Atlantic Ocean regression next to the Uraba Goulf. All of them are associated to the tectonic effects to a Colombian synrift basin. Sedimentary rocks have been raising up to dip more than 60 degrees to the South East.

Usually, the Colombian government has very poor planning for geographical and geological landmarks, social and cultural identities, which then are surrounded by myths and legends, for example, the medicinal properties of mud volcanoes (Aristizabal & Martinez, 2013) and natural threats to the habitants of some regions of the Colombian Caribbean.

It is necessary to take seriously the geological heritage to understand the raising phenomena, the following agencies should engage in research: National Environmental System (Act 99 of 1993), National Disaster Risk Management (Act 1523 of 2012), and National Protected Areas System of Colombia (Act 165 / 94) in Colombia. Also, the National Development Planning, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Mines and Energy, National Agency of Hydrocarbons and more.