Geological History

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Middle-Upper Eocene

During the Middle-Upper Eocene (some 48 to 34 million years ago), a decrease in the volcanic activity allowed oceans to receive less sediment; consequently the sea waters were clear, turbulent, with normal light and salinity rates.  This situation allowed coral reefs to thrive in the coasts’ shallow zones. 

The rocks originated in marine environments during this age are constituted by white limestones, with fossil remains of algae and Foraminifera. These rocks are known as Fila de la Cal Formation; they appear on the localities of Cajón de Boruca, Cañablancal and Tinoco; they are widely distributed in the Coastal Ridge, from Providencia to Dota and Parrita in Costa Rica, south to the province of Chiriquí in Panamá.

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