Significance of the early Jurassic Garamilla formation in the Western Nordpatagonian Massif

By means of facial, stratigraphic, petrographic, geochemical and geochronological studies we characterize the Garamilla Formation, cropping out in the western Nordpatagonian Massif. The studies of these volcanic rocks reveal an Early Jurassic volcanic episode calc-alkaline series. Other geochemical features reveal a progressive change formed by three volcanic units that change from normal calc-alkaline to high-K 13 from an initial subduction-related volcanism to one intraplate-related volcanism. This volcanic episode is temporally and geochemically equivalent to those volcanic units located in half-grabens in several areas of the Neuquén Basin. The volcanic units were erupted in different structural designs. A portion of its depocenter was interpreted as a transtensional half-graben whereas the other exhibits a trapdoor structure. The lineament trends that bound the volcanic system were also recognised in Western Nordpatagonian Massif, and were assigned to the Gondwanide Orogenic.Fil: Benedini, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Bahia Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina;Fil: Gregori, Daniel Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Bahia Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina

The Gondwana-South America Iapetus margin evolution as recorded by Lower Paleozoic units of western Precordillera, Argentina: The Bonilla Complex, Uspallata

Terrane, accreted to Gondwana South America during Ordovician times. The Bonilla Complex, which represents the southern tip of the Precordillera, is constituted of metasedimentary rocks of internal and external platform environments. Paleocurrents inferred from sedimentary structures indicate provenance from the northeast and southeast (actual coordinates). The limestones of this complex, located in the eastern part of the outcrops, suggest evolution toward a carbonate-dominated Late Neoproterozoic to Cambrian passive margin. Mafic volcanic rocks were emplaced coevally with sedimentation, whereas ultramafic rocks were later tectonically emplaced. Chemical evidence suggests that the protolith of the metasedimentary rocks was derived from an older exhumed felsic basement belonging to an upper continental crust. The most prominent population of detrital zircons (~500- 600 Ma) from the Bonilla Complex support the hypothesis that these rocks are equivalent to those of the Sierras Pampeanas and the northern Patagonia. The most proximal source of the Pampean zircons found in the Bonilla Complex is the Sierras Pampeanas, located immediately to the east (present coordinates). The Bonilla Complex was deposited in an open marine basin considerably earlier (~50 Ma) than the supposed detachment of the Cuyania Terrane from the Ouachita embayment in the Laurentia margin. It is therefore not necessary to invoke the presence of an allochthonous terrane between the Bonilla Complex and the Gondwana margin to explain the 1 Ga zircon populations. Silurian to Devonian deformation was characterized by metamorphism and imbrication within an accretionary prism, the consequence of eastward subduction in the western margin of Gondwana. Therefore, the Bonilla Complex, as well as equivalent units in western Precordillera, was originally deposited as sediments on a continental shelf at the southwestern margin of Gondwana, covering a basement that was already part of the Gondwana continent by Neoproterozoic-Cambrian times.Fil: Gregori, Daniel Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Bahia Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina;Fil: Martinez, Juan Cruz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Bahia Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina;Fil: Benedini, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Bahia Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina

Neoproterozoic rhyolite ignimbrites in the Sierra Norte de Córdoba: evidence of an early magmatic arc in the Pampean cycle?

La Sierra Norte forma parte de las Sierras Pampeanas de Córdoba por lo cual las principales intrusiones graníticas y el metamorfismo están relacionadas al ciclo orogénico Pampeano. La mayor diferencia con las Sierras de Córdoba es que en Sierra Norte el grado metamórfico es bajo y las intrusiones son superficiales. La Sierra Norte está compuesta por pequeños afloramientos de metasedimentitas, plutones de granodiorita y granito y cuerpos subvolcánicos relacionados a los últimos estadios del batolito. En este trabajo describimos mantos de ignimbritas intercalados en los metaconglomerados de la Formación La Lidia. Las ignimbritas están moderadamente soldadas y está compuestas por aproximadamente 15 % de porfiroclastos de cuarzo, feldespato potásico y plagioclasa totalmente alterada. La pasta consiste de trizas vítreas devitrificadas. La edad U/Pb convencional en circones dio 584+22/-14 Ma y es interpretada como la edad de cristalización. Tanto las ignimbritas como la roca de caja han sido afectadas por un metamorfismo en facies prehnita-pumpellita que alteró la plagioclasa en zoicita, sericita y pumpellita. Las ignimbritas silícicas neoproterozoicas, conjuntamente con el batolito calcoalcalino que le suceden sugiere la existencia de un arco magmático asociado al margen continental activo de Gondwana. Este arco habría estado activo desde el Neoproterozoico hasta el Cámbrico, con una duración de más de 60 Ma. La correlación de las metasedimentitas y volcanitas neoproterozoicas con la Formación Puncoviscana es posible.The Sierra Norte belongs to the Sierras Pampeanas of Córdoba and like in the Sierras de Córdoba the main granitic intrusions, metamorphism and deformation are related to the Pampean orogenic cycle. The most important difference with Sierras de Córdoba is that Sierra Norte shows a weaker deformation and a lower grade metamorphism. Sierra Norte consists of small outcrops of metasedimentary rocks intruded by granodioritic and monzogranitic plutons of the Sierra Norte-Ambargasta batholtih, of Cambrian age. Dacitic to rhyolitic domes and dikes were intruded during the last stages of the batholith. In this paper we describe rhyolitic ignimbrite sheets within the metaconglomerates of the La Lidia Formation. The ignimbrites are moderately welded and consist of about 15 % of quartz, K-feldspar and entirely altered plagioclase porhyroclasts. Groundmass consists of devitrified glass shards. The conventional U/Pb zircon age is 584+22/-14 Ma and it is considered as the crystallization age. Very low grade metamorphism of the prehnite-pumpellyte facies altered the plagioclase to zoicite, sericite and pumpellyte. The Neoproterozoic silicic ignimbrites, together with the Cambrian calc-alkaline batholith and the related volcanics indicate the existence of a magmatic arc associated with the active margin of the Gondwana continent. This arc was active since Neoproterozoic times, with a duration of more than 60 Ma. Correlation of the Neoproterozoic metasedimentary and volcanics of Sierra Norte with the Puncoviscana Formation of Northwestern Argentina is considered.Fil: Llambias, Eduardo Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; ArgentinaFil: Gregori, Daniel Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Stipp Basei, Miguel Angelo. Universidade de Sao Paulo. Instituto de Geociencias. Centro de Pesquisas Geocronológicas.; BrasilFil: Varela, Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; ArgentinaFil: Prozzi, César. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología; Argentin

Preandean geological configuration of the eastern North Patagonian Massif, Argentina

The Preandean geological configuration of the eastern North Patagonian Massif is established through the use of geological and geophysical analysis. The positive gravity anomalies located near the Atlantic coast are due to 535 and 540 Ma old rocks belonging to the Pampean Orogeny (Precambrian–middle Cambrian), which are widely recognized in central and northern Argentina. The Famatinian Cycle (Ordovician–Devonian) is represented by a Silurian–Devonian marine basin equivalent to those of eastern-central Argentina and South Africa, and which was deformed at the end of the Devonian by an ∼E–W to WNW–ESE compressional event, part of the Famatinian Orogeny. Containing strong gravity gradients, the NW–SE belt is coincident with fault zones which were originated during the Gondwanide Orogeny. This event also produced NW–SE overthrusting of the Silurian–Devonian sequences and strike-slip faults that displaced blocks in the same direction. This deformation event belongs to the Gondwanide Orogeny that includes movements related to a counterclockwise rotation of blocks in northern Patagonia. The strong negative anomalies located in the western part of the area stem from the presence of rocks of the Jurassic Cañadón Asfalto basin interbedded in the Marifil Complex. These volcaniclastic sequences show mild deformation of accommodation zones in a pre-Jurassic paleorelief.Fil: Gregori, Daniel Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Kostadinoff, Jose. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Física; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Guillermina Telma. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Raniolo, Luis Ariel. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Strazzere, Leonardo. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Juan Cruz. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Barros, Mercedes Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin

Geochemical characterization of the Devonian and Carboniferous-Permian arc magmatism in northwest Patagonia, Argentina

Sobre la base de análisis químicos incluyendo elementos mayores y trazas de 23 rocas ígneas del basamento cristalino del noroeste patagónico, provincias de Neuquén, Río Negro y Chubut, se caracteriza el magmatismo y ambiente tectónico para la región entre 40º y 42º S, al oeste de los 70º O. Las rocas analizadas son mayormente granitoides (mas una migmatita y una meta-basita), con deformación dúctil. El conjunto ha sido datado anteriormente por los métodos U-Pb, K-Ar y Sm-Nd, por lo que se tiene información sobre edades de cristalización, de metamorfismo y deformación y de tiempo de extracción de los protolitos desde el manto. Por sus edades geológicas han sido separadas en dos grupos, uno Chánico (Devónico) y otro Gondwánico (Carbonífero-Pérmico). En ambos casos quedan caracterizados como granitoides subalcalinos, de tendencias calcoalcalinas normales, preferentemente peraluminosos y de tipo I, relacionados con sendos arcos magmáticos desarrollados sobre margen continental. Los resultados obtenidos con las rocas gondwánicas analizadas fueron comparados con datos de otros autores en unidades de basamento del Macizo Norpatagónico, Cordillera Norpatagónica y Cordillera Frontal de Mendoza y Chile.Based on 23 whole rock chemical analyses of the igneous basement rocks from the Northwest Patagonia, Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut provinces, we characterize the magmatism and tectonic setting for the region between 40º and 42º S, further west of 70º W. The analysed rocks are mainly granitoids (with one migmatite and another meta-basite), with ductile deformation. Previously, all these rocks have been isotopically dated by U-Pb, K-Ar and Sm-Nd methods, and then the crystallization and metamorphism-deformation ages, and extraction time from the mantle are known. According to their geological ages, they have been separated into Chanic (Devonian) and Gondwanic Groups (Carboniferous-Permian). In both cases, the granitoids are subalkaline, normal calc-alkaline, I- type, peraluminous, and related to their respective magmatic arcs, developed on continental margin. The Gondwanic granitoids were also compared with the granitoids of the same age ranging from Northpatagonian Massif, Cordillera Norpatagónica, and Cordillera Frontal from Mendoza (Argentina) and Chile.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y MuseoCentro de Investigaciones Geológica

Geochemical characterization of the Devonian and Carboniferous-Permian arc magmatism in northwest Patagonia, Argentina

Sobre la base de análisis químicos incluyendo elementos mayores y trazas de 23 rocas ígneas del basamento cristalino del noroeste patagónico, provincias de Neuquén, Río Negro y Chubut, se caracteriza el magmatismo y ambiente tectónico para la región entre 40º y 42º S, al oeste de los 70º O. Las rocas analizadas son mayormente granitoides (mas una migmatita y una meta-basita), con deformación dúctil. El conjunto ha sido datado anteriormente por los métodos U-Pb, K-Ar y Sm-Nd, por lo que se tiene información sobre edades de cristalización, de metamorfismo y deformación y de tiempo de extracción de los protolitos desde el manto. Por sus edades geológicas han sido separadas en dos grupos, uno Chánico (Devónico) y otro Gondwánico (Carbonífero-Pérmico). En ambos casos quedan caracterizados como granitoides subalcalinos, de tendencias calcoalcalinas normales, preferentemente peraluminosos y de tipo I, relacionados con sendos arcos magmáticos desarrollados sobre margen continental. Los resultados obtenidos con las rocas gondwánicas analizadas fueron comparados con datos de otros autores en unidades de basamento del Macizo Norpatagónico, Cordillera Norpatagónica y Cordillera Frontal de Mendoza y Chile.Based on 23 whole rock chemical analyses of the igneous basement rocks from the Northwest Patagonia, Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut provinces, we characterize the magmatism and tectonic setting for the region between 40º and 42º S, further west of 70º W. The analysed rocks are mainly granitoids (with one migmatite and another meta-basite), with ductile deformation. Previously, all these rocks have been isotopically dated by U-Pb, K-Ar and Sm-Nd methods, and then the crystallization and metamorphism-deformation ages, and extraction time from the mantle are known. According to their geological ages, they have been separated into Chanic (Devonian) and Gondwanic Groups (Carboniferous-Permian). In both cases, the granitoids are subalkaline, normal calc-alkaline, I- type, peraluminous, and related to their respective magmatic arcs, developed on continental margin. The Gondwanic granitoids were also compared with the granitoids of the same age ranging from Northpatagonian Massif, Cordillera Norpatagónica, and Cordillera Frontal from Mendoza (Argentina) and Chile.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y MuseoCentro de Investigaciones Geológica

Neoproterozoic rhyolite ignimbrites in the Sierra Norte de Córdoba: evidence of an early magmatic arc in the Pampean cycle?

La Sierra Norte forma parte de las Sierras Pampeanas de Córdoba por lo cual las principales intrusiones graníticas y el metamorfismo están relacionadas al ciclo orogénico Pampeano. La mayor diferencia con las Sierras de Córdoba es que en Sierra Norte el grado metamórfico es bajo y las intrusiones son superficiales. La Sierra Norte está compuesta por pequeños afloramientos de metasedimentitas, plutones de granodiorita y granito y cuerpos subvolcánicos relacionados a los últimos estadios del batolito. En este trabajo describimos mantos de ignimbritas intercalados en los metaconglomerados de la Formación La Lidia. Las ignimbritas están moderadamente soldadas y está compuestas por aproximadamente 15 % de porfiroclastos de cuarzo, feldespato potásico y plagioclasa totalmente alterada. La pasta consiste de trizas vítreas devitrificadas. La edad U/Pb convencional en circones dio 584+22/-14 Ma y es interpretada como la edad de cristalización. Tanto las ignimbritas como la roca de caja han sido afectadas por un metamorfismo en facies prehnita-pumpellita que alteró la plagioclasa en zoicita, sericita y pumpellita. Las ignimbritas silícicas neoproterozoicas, conjuntamente con el batolito calcoalcalino que le suceden sugiere la existencia de un arco magmático asociado al margen continental activo de Gondwana. Este arco habría estado activo desde el Neoproterozoico hasta el Cámbrico, con una duración de más de 60 Ma. La correlación de las metasedimentitas y volcanitas neoproterozoicas con la Formación Puncoviscana es posible.The Sierra Norte belongs to the Sierras Pampeanas of Córdoba and like in the Sierras de Córdoba the main granitic intrusions, metamorphism and deformation are related to the Pampean orogenic cycle. The most important difference with Sierras de Córdoba is that Sierra Norte shows a weaker deformation and a lower grade metamorphism. Sierra Norte consists of small outcrops of metasedimentary rocks intruded by granodioritic and monzogranitic plutons of the Sierra Norte-Ambargasta batholtih, of Cambrian age. Dacitic to rhyolitic domes and dikes were intruded during the last stages of the batholith. In this paper we describe rhyolitic ignimbrite sheets within the metaconglomerates of the La Lidia Formation. The ignimbrites are moderately welded and consist of about 15 % of quartz, K-feldspar and entirely altered plagioclase porhyroclasts. Groundmass consists of devitrified glass shards. The conventional U/Pb zircon age is 584+22/-14 Ma and it is considered as the crystallization age. Very low grade metamorphism of the prehnite-pumpellyte facies altered the plagioclase to zoicite, sericite and pumpellyte. The Neoproterozoic silicic ignimbrites, together with the Cambrian calc-alkaline batholith and the related volcanics indicate the existence of a magmatic arc associated with the active margin of the Gondwana continent. This arc was active since Neoproterozoic times, with a duration of more than 60 Ma. Correlation of the Neoproterozoic metasedimentary and volcanics of Sierra Norte with the Puncoviscana Formation of Northwestern Argentina is considered.Centro de Investigaciones Geológica

Neoproterozoic rhyolite ignimbrites in the Sierra Norte de Córdoba: evidence of an early magmatic arc in the Pampean cycle?

La Sierra Norte forma parte de las Sierras Pampeanas de Córdoba por lo cual las principales intrusiones graníticas y el metamorfismo están relacionadas al ciclo orogénico Pampeano. La mayor diferencia con las Sierras de Córdoba es que en Sierra Norte el grado metamórfico es bajo y las intrusiones son superficiales. La Sierra Norte está compuesta por pequeños afloramientos de metasedimentitas, plutones de granodiorita y granito y cuerpos subvolcánicos relacionados a los últimos estadios del batolito. En este trabajo describimos mantos de ignimbritas intercalados en los metaconglomerados de la Formación La Lidia. Las ignimbritas están moderadamente soldadas y está compuestas por aproximadamente 15 % de porfiroclastos de cuarzo, feldespato potásico y plagioclasa totalmente alterada. La pasta consiste de trizas vítreas devitrificadas. La edad U/Pb convencional en circones dio 584+22/-14 Ma y es interpretada como la edad de cristalización. Tanto las ignimbritas como la roca de caja han sido afectadas por un metamorfismo en facies prehnita-pumpellita que alteró la plagioclasa en zoicita, sericita y pumpellita. Las ignimbritas silícicas neoproterozoicas, conjuntamente con el batolito calcoalcalino que le suceden sugiere la existencia de un arco magmático asociado al margen continental activo de Gondwana. Este arco habría estado activo desde el Neoproterozoico hasta el Cámbrico, con una duración de más de 60 Ma. La correlación de las metasedimentitas y volcanitas neoproterozoicas con la Formación Puncoviscana es posible.The Sierra Norte belongs to the Sierras Pampeanas of Córdoba and like in the Sierras de Córdoba the main granitic intrusions, metamorphism and deformation are related to the Pampean orogenic cycle. The most important difference with Sierras de Córdoba is that Sierra Norte shows a weaker deformation and a lower grade metamorphism. Sierra Norte consists of small outcrops of metasedimentary rocks intruded by granodioritic and monzogranitic plutons of the Sierra Norte-Ambargasta batholtih, of Cambrian age. Dacitic to rhyolitic domes and dikes were intruded during the last stages of the batholith. In this paper we describe rhyolitic ignimbrite sheets within the metaconglomerates of the La Lidia Formation. The ignimbrites are moderately welded and consist of about 15 % of quartz, K-feldspar and entirely altered plagioclase porhyroclasts. Groundmass consists of devitrified glass shards. The conventional U/Pb zircon age is 584+22/-14 Ma and it is considered as the crystallization age. Very low grade metamorphism of the prehnite-pumpellyte facies altered the plagioclase to zoicite, sericite and pumpellyte. The Neoproterozoic silicic ignimbrites, together with the Cambrian calc-alkaline batholith and the related volcanics indicate the existence of a magmatic arc associated with the active margin of the Gondwana continent. This arc was active since Neoproterozoic times, with a duration of more than 60 Ma. Correlation of the Neoproterozoic metasedimentary and volcanics of Sierra Norte with the Puncoviscana Formation of Northwestern Argentina is considered.Centro de Investigaciones Geológica

Late Paleozoic geodynamic evolution of the western North Patagonian Massif and its tectonic context along the southwestern Gondwana margin

In this study, we propose a geodynamic model covering sedimentation, metamorphism, magmatism, and exhumation processes for the western North Patagonian Massif basement. The youngest detrital zircon population ages (ca. 369 ± 8 Ma) obtained in a schist sample constrains the sedimentation stage to the Carboniferous Period. A first prograde metamorphic stage (M1-D1) produced the main foliation (S1) under greenschist conditions (~ 500 °C; < 4.5 Kbars). This stage was possibly linked to the regional Carboniferous magmatism event (330?300 Ma). The Permian magmatism (ca. 290 Ma) likely induced partial melting and migmatization of the deepest metasedimentary suite. This event corresponds to the second prograde metamorphic stage (M2) that reached amphibolite conditions (690 °C and 6.5 Kbars). The beginning of the basement uplift corresponds to the first retrograde metamorphic stage possibly developed during Permian ? Triassic times (265?235 Ma). This event was triggered by NE-SW compression (σ1) and developed folds (D2-F2), second foliation (S2), micro-textural quartz deformation, and a retrograde evolution path for the garnet-bearing lithofacies. The final stage of the basement exhumation corresponds to the second retrograde metamorphic stage (D3) developed by NNW-SSE compression and linked to open folds (F3) in the Cushamen Formation. The characteristics of the western North Patagonian Massif geodynamic evolution and the adjacent basement regions suggest a paleotectonic subduction setting for the southwestern Gondwana margin during the late Paleozoic times.Fil: Marcos, Paulo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Pavon Pivetta, Cecilia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Benedini, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Gregori, Daniel Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Geraldes, Mauro. Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Scivetti, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Barros, Mercedes Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Varela, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Instituto de Ciencias Astronómicas, de la Tierra y del Espacio. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Instituto de Ciencias Astronómicas, de la Tierra y del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Santos, Anderson Costa dos. Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; Brasi

Lower Jurassic felsic diatreme volcanism recognized in central Patagonia as evidence of along-strike rift segmentation

The early Jurassic volcanism of Central Patagonia covers an extensive area of50,000 km2 where the volcanic deposits occur as isolated systems. The volcanicrecords form an elongated belt in which the composition, depositional and geneticfeatures, show several differences along with its distribution. The Cañadón ChilenoComplex (CCHC), located in the Río Negro province, provides the opportunity toevaluate and improve the knowledge about the Lower Jurassic volcanic stratigraphyand the lower Jurassic regional setting of Central Patagonia.Based on the field and laboratory data developed in the present work, 22lithofacies were recognized and grouped into eight facies associations. Thecontinental sedimentary environments include alluvial fan deposits (FA 1),ephemeral deposits (FA 2), braided fluvial deposits (FA 3), alluvial plains, or overbanks (FA 4), and lacustrine deposits (FA 9). On the other hand, the pyroclasticfacies were separated according to the pyroclastic currents involved during thedeposition; into fall-out, dilute, and density currents (FA 5, FA 6, and FA 7). Effusiveandesitic feeders and lava-flows (FA 8) were also recognized.The stratigraphic data obtained in the present work allow proposing theexistence of two felsic diatreme volcanoes in the CCHC records - described here asSouthern and Northern Zone-, developed over a local subsided area, represented byan asymmetrical basin.Seven units were recognized and described in the CCHC (Units a, b, c, d, e, f,and g: unit (a) represents an initial stage of continental sedimentation recordedthroughout the entire Complex. Unit (b) represents the upper felsic diatreme facies,in Southern Zone of the Complex, where debris flows are interbedded with massive lapilli-tuff deposits. Unit (c) consists of local andesitic lavas flows and feeder dikes,and the unit (d) consists of welded lapilli tuff deposits interpreted as the growth of thevolcanic system. The Northern Zone evolves similarly with the felsic intra-diatremedeposits of unit (e). The unit (f) consisting of an effusive stage represented byextended andesitic lava flows. Finally, a deep lacustrine system is installed (unit g)that includes shallow and deep facies, with intercalations of local pyroclasticdeposits.Also, new geochronological data (U-Pb zircon age of 188 ± 3 Ma) wasdetermined to confirm and reinforce the correlation criteria between the differentvolcanic areas in Central Patagonia, indicating that the volcanism described here issynchronous with the Northern silica-rich calderas of the Garamilla Formation as wellas the large andesitic volcanoes of the Lonco Trapial Formation located southwardto the CCHC. The regional volcanism changes described, in the present work, areconnected with the N-S rift segment limited by E-W regional transfer fault systemsdeveloped in continuity to the strike-slip structures of the La Esperanza area.Fil: Benedini, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Pavon Pivetta, Cecilia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Marcos, Paulo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Gregori, Daniel Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Barros, Mercedes Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Scivetti, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Santos, Anderson Costa dos. Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Faculdade de Geologia; Brasil. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Strazzere, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Geraldes, Mauro. Universidad Estatal de Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: de Queiroz Bernabé, Teodoro. Universidad Estatal de Rio de Janeiro; Brasi