Geology and Minerals

Aruba Phosphate Company

The discovery of guano on Klein Curaçao by John Godden in 1871, sparked a "guano mania" across the Antillean islands, including Curaçao (Santa Barbara). In 1874, J. H. Waters Gravenhorst is credited with the discovery of guano in Aruba, although an earlier interest was shown by an American named S.R. Kimball in 1859. The exact outcome of Kimball's efforts remains uncertain. This ultimately led to the incorporation of a limited company on Curaçao, known as Aruba Phosphate Company on December 18, 1879. Phosphatized limestone deposits from guano droppings are exclusively located in the southeastern part of the island of Aruba, around two small hills: Seroe Colorado and Seroe Culebra. Additionally, in early 1909, phosphate was also discovered slightly further north, near a lower ridge named Bank Jerôme. The deposits resulted from large colonies of seafowls that foraged of the surrounding rich waters during late Pleistocene (about 1.8 million years Before Present).

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Corcovado Volcano
• ▸County Palatine of Cephalonia and Zakynthos
• ▸Continental crust

Uncatalogued shelf

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