II.A.

Geology of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

The region is located at the northern part of Luzon island and is comprises of six
landlocked provinces: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province. The
Luzon Island lies between the Manila Trench and the Philippine Trench, a two oppositely
dipping subduction zones responsible for the orogenic and tectonic development of the Central
Cordillera.

Based from the geothermal survey undertaken by the Department of Energy (DEO) on
Cordillera Region for potential geothermal areas, “the oldest rocks known to exist in the region
are the undifferentiated metamorphic rocks which are part of the Jurassic Philippine Basement
Complex. Overlying these rocks are more widespread, undifferentiated, partly metamorphosed
Cretaceous to Paleogene, ophiolitic volcanic flows with locally intercalated chert, marble and
clastic sedimentary rocks. Bordering those rocks are folded Neogene volcaniclastics and
sedimentary rocks. Masses of Late Miocene diorite-granodiorite plutons, elongated along the
north-south direction, dominate the core of the Cordillera. These plutons discordantly intruded
the above rock sequences and are responsible for some ore mineralization in the region”. [1]

The Cordillera Administrative Region’s (CAR) provinces geologic profile as delineated

by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are presented below:

ABRA

The province of Abra is part of the physiographic province known as the Luzon Central
Cordillera. Eastern highlands consist of metavolcanic and metasediments with a diorite intrusive
as part of the Cordillera Plutonic complex. The gold, copper and silver projections are associated
with this complex. The foothills of the eastern flanks and the western highlands of the province
are dominated by relatively recent clastic sediments, including greywacke, sandstone etc. and a
limestone deposit. Abra possesses the largest limestone deposit in the Cordillera, with an
estimated volume of 211 million metric tons or about 81.79 percent of the region’s total
limestone deposit. [2]
APAYAO

Apayao province is known to have complex lithology and structure. The geological
formation of the province is generally composed of both sedimentary and igneous volcanic
formations. Sedimentary formations are usually found in lowland areas while igneous volcanic
formation and diorite intrusion are found in Upper Apayao. The oldest rocks exist in the province
are the Cretaceous Paleogene, which is composed of undifferentiated volcanic flows with locally
intercalated sedimentary rocks. Those rocks are bounded by folded Neogene sedimentary rocks.
In terms of geologic structures, many faults and folds characterize the geomorphologic evolution
of the area. Probable major fault lines exist at the northwest and southeast of the province, the
only known active fault line is the Bangui fault line existing towards northeast dividing the
province. [2]

BENGUET

The present topography of Benguet province is the results of its geological history of
frequent rising and subsidence movements recorded in the stratigraphy, the conditions of which
sedimentary rocks were laid down or coralline limestone being built by molluscs and algae, and
the tectonic stresses together with erosion forces. Generally, older rocks exposed widely in the
province are due to diastrophism. Thick sedimentary formations made up of sandstone, siltstone,
shale, and conglomerate including various sizes of limestone lenses are found in the western and
south-western parts of the province. Thick embedded hard and porous limestone overlying the
undifferentiated volcanic is found locally in Baguio and La Trinidad. Igneous rocks outcrop
extensively occupy about 70 percent of the land area of the province, and the remaining 30
percent is covered with sedimentary rocks. Benguet province is endowed with rich mineral
resources both metallic (gold, silver, copper, zinc) and non- metallic (lime, silica, and white clay)
products, making it the major mineral producer in the region. [3]
IFUGAO

The province of Ifugao is situated in the area of the Cordillera Central Range. The
Philippine Fault line Zone generally extends toward the northwest and northeast. Meta-rock
formation is distributed in the central part area up to the north and northwestern part of Ifugao,
which is broad evidence of diastrophism. The eastern and southeastern part of the province is
occupied with Andesite- Basalt and pyroclastic formation due to successive volcanic activities.
Mineral resources present in the province are mostly non-metallic such as sand, gravel and
limestone deposits. According to the Watershed Management Master Plan study of DENR
conducted last February of 2004, there is also an indication of the presence of copper and gold in
the watershed areas of Ifugao. And based on the study of BSWM in 1985, the dominant soil
texture of the province is clay loam. The soil is found to be fertile to very fertile. It has a high
water-holding capacity with slow infiltration and low permeability rates. [4]

KALINGA

The province of Kalinga is also a part of the physiographic province known as the Luzon
Central Cordillera. Kalinga province consists of Neocene, Paleogene and Early rocks with
Quarternary Volcanic as part of the Central Cordillera Plutonic Complex in the western
highlands. Gold, copper and silver prospects are associated with this complex. On the southern
highlands of the province, Early Rocks and Paleogene are dominant. And eastern and northern
parts are dominated by Pliocene Pleistocene, Quarternary Volcanic and Upper Miocene Rocks.
The geological formation was mainly influenced by diastrophism such as faulting, folding and
other geological events. The general soil types in Kalinga are clay loam. It is composed mostly
of mountain soils that are partially differentiated and fully differentiated. [5]
MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

The geologic features and topographic characteristics of the Mountain province are
distinct to the other provinces in CAR region due to its complex lithology and topographic
structure. The exposed wide-ranging rocks distributed in the province gives the rolling and
rugged topography. Evidences of geological movements such as diastrophism are proven from
the mineralization geological history. The western part of the province which the Philippine
Cordillera fault zone lies was elevated due to faulting and folding. The effect of tectonic stresses
together with erosion forces results to the forming of crystalline coralline lime stones from
skeleton of sea polyps. Outcrop and Plutonic rocks extensively exposed are also evidence of the
effect of diastrophism. The exposures of rocks are generally rare, showing that rocks were
deeply weathered in certain places. Road cuts, stream banks and quarries were also exposed.

The geological formation of the Mountain province explains why the area is always in danger
during earth movement and during typhoons.

The lineation in the tertiary sedimentary rocks in the eastern part of the province is
produced by north and northeast trending faults in the central and western part. Plutonic rocks
and outcrop are extensively exposed, showing that diastrophism greatly affects the area. The
rock exposures are generally rare and deeply weathered in certain places. Road cuts, stream
banks and quarries were also exposed.

Volcanic mountains of undifferentiated volcanic rock formations are also found in Barlig,
Besao, Bontoc, Natonin, and Tadian. Volcanic Mountain Plateau is also present at Mount Data
where it’s undulating and rolling hills consist mainly of volcanic pyroclastic.

The Bureau of Mines identified Mount Puguis and Mount Patoc as non-active cones,
towering 2,128 meters and 1,700 meters above sea level respectively. It capped massive and
impressive lava flows during their active stages. Mount Puguis is located in the western part of
Barlig while Mount Patoc is in Bontoc. Due to high mountain ranges, flash floods usually occur
during heavy rains and the eastern portion of the province feel the strongest effect since most
tropical cyclones generally move in the northeast west direction intensifying as they approach
hitting mountain ranges with very poor flood controls and drainage systems.

References: