39. Observations About the Geology of Western Cuba, Most Significant Aquifers, and the Geomorphology of its Catching Landforms

The Republic of Cuba has a high degree of geological knowledge of its territory. In the western part (from Pinar del Río, in the west to Matanzas, in the middle west) there are some of the more significant aquifers of the Cuban archipelago. This is a clear karst territory, but the study of geological characteristics of the rocks, and the relationship among these and the physic–mechanic properties and the karst processes are nowadays insufficient to evaluate the speed of the processes, the probable geological risks and the karst environment to the environmental aggressions. The Jaimanitas and Vedado geological formations that constituted the base of the karstification at the Guanahacabibes peninsula, the western edge, contain the underground waters of this region, even though the flows are very limited. Guasasa, Jagua, Artemisa, Francisco, Sierra Azul (Pinalilla) among others, are the geological formations that contain waters in karst fissure aquifers at the Guaniguanico mountain range, Pinar del Río province axis. This also presents big pool remnants of the river and stream currents that cross the calcareous hills. Paso real formation constitutes the main stratigraphic unit that is water bearing at Pinar del Río southern plain. At Isla de la Juventud there are also small aquifers associated with karst landforms developed on Colombo, Playa Bibijagua, Sierra de Caballos and Sierra Chiquita marble to the north and the Jaimanitas, Cocodrilo and Vedado limestone formations to the south. The aquifers in the protected areas require proper attention considering the special conditions of the locality.