Geological History

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Pliocene

During the Pliocene (some 5 to 2.5 million years ago), the Talamanca mountain range kept rising steadily and erosion of its slopes was intense; this permitted large amounts of sediments to break loose and accumulate on the foothills.  An intense volcanic activity took place simultaneously.  The rocks formed by the accumulation of sediments during this period are called Paso Real Formation.

The Grande de Térraba River had already excavated a primitive canyon through the Coastal Ridge and in its mouth the delta was developing, as well as filling with sediments the litoral to form the area currently known as Diquís.

In this period the terrestrial bridge of Central America was finished, establishing thereon the constant and uninterrupted exchange of animals and plants between the Americas.

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» Eocene

» Oligocene

» Miocene

» Quaternary