The formation consists of thick beds of light-coloured quartzitic sandstones and conglomerates with occasional shales and dates to the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods; Tithonian to Berriasian epochs.

Dinosaur footprints have been found in the Arcabuco Formation near the Iguaque anticlinal outside Chíquiza, Boyacá.

[1] The type section of the Arcabuco Formation was redefined in 1985 by Galvis and Rubiano around Villa de Leyva.

[2] The Arcabuco Formation is characterised by a sequence of light- to pink-coloured fine quartzitic sandstones and conglomerates with red shales up to 50 metres (160 ft) in thickness intercalated.

[1][3] In the Arcabuco Formation, in the Iguaque Anticlinal, dinosaur tracks have been found.