[1][2] The basin started to accumulate sediments in the Early Cretaceous (Neocomian) and at present it has sedimentary deposits reaching thicknesses of 5,000 metres (16,000 ft).

The basin contains seven sub-basins: Tres Cruces, Lomas de Olmedo, Metán, Alemanía, Salfity, El Rey, Sey and Brealito.

[2] The volcanism that began in the Late Jurassic was initially of subalkaline character (low sodium and potassium content), but turned increasingly alkaline in the Early Cretaceous.

[1] The rifts of Salta Basin developed in a time of generalized extensional tectonics along western South America.

[3] It has been proposed that the Salar de Atacama depression in Chile was once a westward rift arm of the Salta Basin.