Abstract

ALVARADO, Guillermo E; BRENES, Jorge  and  BRENES, José. The ocurrence of amber and sub-amber (copal) in Costa Rica: the case of San Cristóbal de Savegre. Rev. Geol. Amér. Central [online]. 2013, n.49, pp.63-72. ISSN 0256-7024.

In Costa Rica, small fragments of amber are found in Miocene, shallow marine clastic sedimentary rocks of Punta Judas Formation (Middle Miocene), Santa Teresa Formation (Lower Miocene) and Curré Formation (Middle-Upper Miocene). Sub-amber or copal is found relative in abundance in some localities on the ground, in the residual earth soil, in the mountain hills near San Cristóbal de Savegre (Aguirre, Puntarenas). The copal samples have sub-rounded (21.3%), tabular (29.6%) and trunk forms (30.4%), but some have undefined or transitional (18.7%) morphologies. The color varied from orange/reddish (57.4%), yellow (31.0%) and light yellow (11.6%); and some samples have enclosed insects. The age of the copal is about 1670-1780 A.D. (¹⁴C calibrated age). Although these copal occurrences appear to have no economical important value, they could be used for local artisans.

Keywords : Central America; Costa Rica; amber; copal.

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