Middle Eocene low-paleolatitude radiolarian evidence for the Cabog Formation, Central East Luzon, Philippine Mobile Belt

The Cabog Formation, newly established herein and exposed in central East Luzon, Philippine Mobile Belt, is defined in age by the occurrence of radiolarians. The radiolarian assemblage is correlative with the middle Eocene and suggests a low paleolatitude affinity. The correlation, sedimentary environment, and the tectonic significance are discussed. The Cabog Formation is correlative with the distal part of the middle–late Eocene Caraballo Formation, which is exposed in the northeastern side of the Philippine Fault Zone. The sandstone composition and radiolarian age suggest that the Cabog Formation represents the first depositional stage in the early arc setting. The northward migration of the formation is also estimated in relation with the Philippine Sea Plate motion along the Older Philippine Fault from the equatorial area.