Abstract We have estimated the Curie point depth (CPD) in the northwestern corner of South America and the southwestern Caribbean Sea from spectral analysis of magnetic anomalies extracted from the World Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map. To do this, we performed three different spectral methods and chose the model that best fits the geologic and geophysical characteristics of the study area. Then, we calculated the geothermal gradient from these CPD values to assess the likelihood of the hydrocarbon “Golden zone” being present in some of Colombia’s sedimentary basins. Similarly, we tried to establish empirical relationships between CPD, geothermal gradient, and heat flux. Our results show that the CPD lies between 12.6 km (7.8 mi) and 74 km (45.9 mi). The shallowest depths (<25 km [<15.5 mi]) are in the offshore Venezuela and Colombia basins of the Caribbean Sea, the onshore eastern Llanos and Caguan–Putumayo Basins, and southwestern Venezuela. The greatest depths (>50 km [>31 mi]) occur in parts of the western and central Cordilleras, Santander massif, and middle Magdalena, Catatumbo, Barinas-Apure, and Vaupes-Amazonas Basins. Based on the results, we found a relationship between an unexpected zone of deep CPD values (40–47 km [24.8–29.2 mi]) in the Colombia Basin and the presumable presence of an abnormal thick Caribbean Plateau with a continental inheritance. On the other hand, the contrasting deep and shallow CPD values in the Caribbean support the interpretation of flat subduction of the Caribbean plate beneath South America with a flexural topographic bulge toward the Sinu−San Jacinto and lower Magdalena Basins. Partial erosion of this bulge could have resulted in shallowing of the CPD with a consequent increase in geothermal gradient and heat flux. Also, we found a CPD shallowing beneath Caguan–Putumayo and eastern Llanos Basins. Finally, based on the calculated geothermal gradient values in Colombia, we consider that the Golden zone of hydrocarbon occurrence most likely exists in the Choco–Uraba, eastern Cordillera, Guajira−Los Cayos, eastern Llanos, and lower Magdalena Basins, while the Golden zone would be absent only in the Vaupes–Amazonas Basin.

Abstract Three main geological units were involved in the Early Palaeozoic history of South America: (1) autochthonous intracratonic and pericratonic basins developed around the Gondwana basement (e.g. the Central Andean basin, CAB); (2) volcano-sedimentary basins marginal to Gondwana (e.g. Famatina and Puna volcanic belts); (3) crustal fragments accreted to the Andean margin through the Palaeozoic (e.g. Precordillera terrane). Knowledge of brachiopods, trilobites and bivalves has increased substantially over recent years, leading to the assembly of a more complete dataset. Furongian–Tremadocian trilobites from Famatina, western Puna and the CAB are mostly widespread forms (Olenid Fauna); however, the record of Amzasskiella and Onychopyge suggests a connection with East Gondwana, Siberia and Kazakhstan. At that time, the Central Andean brachiopods and bivalves show links with Iberia, Bohemia and North Africa. Floian trilobites from these regions show a complex array of endemic and peri-Gondwanan forms, indicative of relatively free migration for some taxa around Gondwana. Coeval brachiopods from Famatina and western Puna volcaniclastic rocks are of Celtic type, having some taxa in common with coeval faunas from south Peru, which would support the existence of a long and nearly continuous volcanic arc marginal to the Iapetus Ocean. Cambrian to Middle Ordovician platform carbonate rocks are confined to the Precordillera basin. Trilobites from the Lower and Upper Cambrian limestones of the Precordillera include key genera indicating Laurentian affinities ( Arcuolenellus , Madarocephalus , Plethopeltis ). Associated rhynchonelliformean brachiopods (e.g. Nisusia , Wimanella ) are also typical of low-latitude palaeocontinents. Trilobites from the upper Tremadocian–Floian sequences of the Precordillera match those of the Bathyurid Fauna, whereas associated brachiopods include a high percentage of Laurentian taxa. From the Floian, a biotic exchange with Gondwana and Baltica becomes evident in the Precordilleran trilobite faunas. By Darriwilian times, Precordilleran brachiopods form a well-defined low-latitude realm, but numerous Celtic and Baltic taxa immigrated into the basin. By the Sandbian, affinities of Precordilleran brachiopods shift to West Gondwanan (North Africa, Armorica, Perunica and central Andes), probably reflecting the accretion of the Precordillera (Cuyania) terrane to the proto-Andean margin, although some mixed faunas persist. The low-richness CAB brachiopod, bivalve and trilobite assemblages display stronger ‘Mediterranean’ affinities than those from the Precordillera. In summary, there are abundant palaeontological data supporting the view that the Precordillera is a Laurentian-derived far-travelled microcontinent accreted to Gondwana during the Early Palaeozoic. A new early Middle Ordovician reconstruction of the southern and central proto-Andean margin is based on recently published geological data as well as the new palaeontological evidence summarized in this paper.