Radiolarian biostratigraphic data from the Casiguran Ophiolite, Northern Sierra Madre, Luzon, Philippines: Stratigraphic and tectonic implications

Results from the first detailed radiolarian biostratigraphic study conducted in Luzon are reported. The data were obtained from cherts associated with the Casiguran Ophiolite, a dismembered ophiolite mass consisting of serpentinized peridotites, gabbros, dolerite dikes and pillow basalts exposed along the eastern coast of the Northern Sierra Madre, Luzon, Philippines. Cherts and limestone interbeds conformably overlie the ophiolite. The radiolarian assemblages from the cherts constrain the stratigraphic range of the cherts to the Lower Cretaceous (upper Barremian–lower Aptian to Albian). This new biostratigraphic result is in contrast with the Upper Cretaceous stratigraphic range previously reported in the region.Radiolarian biostratigraphic results from the Casiguran Ophiolite provide additional evidence for the existence of Mesozoic oceanic substratum upon which Luzon and neighboring regions within the Philippine archipelago were likely built. Interestingly, the result closely resembles those reported for the ophiolite in southeastern Luzon as well as the oceanic crust of the Huatung Basin situated east of Taiwan and the ophiolites in eastern Indonesia. In light of this, along with previously gathered geochemical data from the ophiolites, a common provenance is being looked into for these crust–upper mantle sequences in the western Pacific region.

► This is the first detailed radiolarian biostratigraphic study conducted in Northern Sierra Madre.
► The radiolarian data suggest an Early Cretaceous age for the Casiguran Ophiolite.
► The age generated in this study closely resembles those reported in SE Luzon, Huatung Basin and eastern Indonesia.
► Based on age and published geochemical data, a common provenance for the western Pacific ophiolites is being looked into.