Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3278
S. Ferrari, R. Blodgett, M. Hodges, C. Hodges
{"title":"Early Jurassic (middle Hettangian) marine gastropods from the Pogibshi Formation (Alaska) and their paleobiogeographical significance","authors":"S. Ferrari, R. Blodgett, M. Hodges, C. Hodges","doi":"10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3278","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3278","url":null,"abstract":"A middle Hettangian marine gastropod assemblage is reported from the Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska supplying new paleontological evidence of this group in Lower Jurassic rocks of North America. Pleurotomaria pogibshiensis sp. nov. is described from the middle Hettangian marine succession informally known as Pogibshi formation, being the first occurrence of the genus in the Kenai Peninsula and the oldest occurrence of the genus in present-day Alaska and North America. One species of the genus Lithotrochus, namely Lithotrochus humboldtii (von Buch), is also reported for the first time from the Kenai Peninsula. Lithotrochus has been considered as endemic to South America for a time range from the early Sinemurian to the late Pliensbachian. The newest occurrence of Lithotrochus in rocks of the Pogibshi formation extends the paleobiogeographical and chronostratigraphical distribution of the genus into the present-day Northern Hemisphere. However, the Southern Hemisphere affinities are consistent with the hypothetical interpretations (although supported both by paleobiogeographical and paleomagnetic data) that the Peninsular terrane of south-central Alaska is far-traveled and may have originated at much more southerly paleolatitudes than its present-day position. Two other Early Jurassic caenogastropods typical of the Andean region of South America and of the Tethyan epicontinental seas are described for the first time in the Pogibshi formation, and these are Pseudomelania sp. and Pictavia sp. The new gastropod assemblage reported here shows close affinities with coeval South American and European gastropod faunas, supplying new evidence to interpret their distribution during the Early Jurassic.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44777546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3301
S. Arcusa, T. Schneider, P. Mosquera, H. Vogel, D. Kaufman, S. Szidat, M. Grosjean
{"title":"Late Holocene tephrostratigraphy from Cajas National Park, southern Ecuador","authors":"S. Arcusa, T. Schneider, P. Mosquera, H. Vogel, D. Kaufman, S. Szidat, M. Grosjean","doi":"10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3301","url":null,"abstract":"Lakes located downwind of active volcanoes serve as a natural repository for volcanic ash (tephra) produced during eruptive events. In this study, sediment cores from four lakes in Cajas National Park, southern Ecuador, situated approximately 200 km downwind of active volcanoes in the Northern Andes Volcanic Zone, were analysed to document the regional history of tephra fall extending back around 3,000 a cal BP. The ages of the lacustrine sedimentary sequences were constrained using a total of 20 AMS radiocarbon ages on plant remains. The tephra layers were correlated among the lakes based on their radiocarbon age, elemental composition, colour, and grain morphology. We found five unique tephra layers, each at least 0.2 cm thick, and further constrained their ages by combining the results from two age-depth modelling approaches (clam and rbacon). The tephra layers were deposited 3,034±621, 2,027±41, 1,557±177, 733±112, and 450±70 a cal BP. The ages of all but the youngest tephra layer overlap with those of known eruptions from Tungurahua. Some tephra layers are missing as macroscopic layers in several cores, with only two of the five tephra layers visible in the sediment of three lakes. Likewise, previous studies of lake sediment cores from the region are missing the four youngest tephra layers, further highlighting the need to sample multiple lakes to reconstruct a comprehensive history of fallout events. The newly documented stratigraphic marker layers will benefit future studies of lake sediments in Cajas National Park.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42483614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3035
C. Creixell, J. Fuentes, Hessel Bierma, E. Salazar
{"title":"Tectonic setting of Cretaceous porphyry copper deposits of northern Chile (28°-30° S) and its relations with magmatic evolution and metallogeny","authors":"C. Creixell, J. Fuentes, Hessel Bierma, E. Salazar","doi":"10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3035","url":null,"abstract":"Cretaceous porphyry copper deposits of northern Chile (28º-29º30’ S) are genetically related with dacitic to dioritic porphyries and they represent a still poorly-explored target for Cu resources. The porphyries correspond to stocks distributed into two separated discontinuous NS trending belts of different age. The location of these porphyries is generally adjacent to orogen-parallel major fault systems that extend along the studied segment and also have a marked temporal relationship with deformation events registered along these structures. A first episode of Cu-bearing porphyry emplacement took place between 116 and 104 Ma (Mina Unión or Frontera, Cachiyuyo, Punta Colorada, Dos Amigos, Tricolor porphyries). These Early Cretaceous dacite to diorite porphyries are spatially associated with the eastern segments of the Atacama Fault System, which records sinistral transpression that started at 121 Ma producing ground uplift, consequent denudation and exhumation of the Early Cretaceous magmatic arc. This resulted in a change from marine to continental deposition with an angular unconformity in the site of the back-arc basin after of eastward migration of the deformation around 112-110 Ma. At the scale of the continental margin, this deformation is correlated with early stage of the Mochica Orogenic event described in Perú. A second episode of Cu-bearing porphyry emplacement occurred between 92 and 87 Ma (Elisa, Johana, Las Campanas and La Verde deposits), which are spatially and temporally associated with the regional-scale Las Cañas-El Torito reverse fault, active between 89 and 84 Ma, during the Peruvian Orogenic Phase. This fault up thrust to the west part of the Chañarcillo Group rocks (Lower Cretaceous) over the younger upper levels of the Cerrillos Formation (Upper Cretaceous). The integrated geological mapping and geochemical data of the Early to Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks indicates that both Early Cretaceous sinistral transpression and Late Cretaceous east-west compression were not significant in promote changes in magma genesis, except for slight changes in trace element ratios (increase in Th/Ta, Nb/Ta and La/Yb) suggesting that the Late Cretaceous deformation event produced only slightly increase in crustal thickness (>40 km), but far from being comparable to major Cenozoic orogenic phases, at least along the magmatic arc to back-arc domains in the study area. Finally, our study give insights about regional geological parameters that can be used as a first order guide for exploration of Cu resources along Cretaceous magmatic belts of northern Chile, where both Early and Late Cretaceous Cu-bearing porphyry intrusions are restricted to a large structural block bounded to the west and east by Cretaceous fault systems.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43175116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3272
E. Lictevout, Carlos Abellanosa, Constanza Maass, Nicolás Pérez, G. Yáñez, Leonardi Véronique
{"title":"Exploration, mapping and characterization of filtration galleries of the Pica Oasis, northern Chile: A contribution to the knowledge of the Pica aquifer","authors":"E. Lictevout, Carlos Abellanosa, Constanza Maass, Nicolás Pérez, G. Yáñez, Leonardi Véronique","doi":"10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3272","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3272","url":null,"abstract":"In arid areas, the efficient management of scarce water resources is key for population survival and development. One of the oldest and greatest ancient water management system in drylands is the filtration gallery. Originated from ancient Persia, they were spread to other regions and cultures, and are found in the oasis of Pica, in the Atacama Desert. A filtration gallery consists of an almost horizontal tunnel dug underground until it reaches a water-bearing zone. It allows to tap and drains out groundwater, and thus a direct contact with groundwater table. With the objective to understand groundwater processes, preserve the water and geoheritage of one of the driest places on Earth and improve land-use planning, the present work explored and studied the filtration galleries, locally called socavones, of the oasis of Pica. Through direct exploration, topographical survey and geo-electrical prospection, 24 socavones were identified, mapped and their main physical features described, showing common traits with filtration galleries described worldwide, but also proper features highlighting their originality. The findings of the geological and hydrogeological studies of the socavones, complemented by physical and chemical analysis, allow to identify new groundwater recharge processes and, thus, to review and complete the hydrogeological model of the local aquifer of Pica. Most socavones are abandoned today, owing to physical and socioeconomic changes. Nevertheless, this study concludes that they can still have a role to play in the groundwater management of this arid area.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46091973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3303
G. D. Sottile, M. E. Echeverria, M. S. Tonello, M. A. Marcos, F. Bamonte, Cecilia Rayó, M. Mancini
{"title":"Dinámica de la vegetación andina del lago Argentino (50° S, 72° O) desde el retiro de los glaciares (ca. 12.000 años cal AP)","authors":"G. D. Sottile, M. E. Echeverria, M. S. Tonello, M. A. Marcos, F. Bamonte, Cecilia Rayó, M. Mancini","doi":"10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/ANDGEOV47N3-3303","url":null,"abstract":"Paleoecological studies in Patagonia provide information about vegetation and climate changes occurred during the Holocene. The climatic evolution of this region offers a unique opportunity to study the environmental variability as well as the ecosystem variations. The dynamic of the forest ecosystems is modulated by the occurrence of disturbances. Fires are one of the most important disturbances in temperate forest ecosystems, and its study allows contrasting independently about the changes experienced by ecosystems. In addition, in Patagonia, environmental and postglacial vegetation changes have been determined by variations in the temperature and westerlies winds. In order to reconstruct changes experienced by the forest ecosystem and patterns of plant diversity during the Holocene, in relation to Postglacial dynamics, natural and anthropic disturbances in the Lake Argentino, pollen and charcoal were studied in a sedimentary sequence at Peninsula Avellaneda. Pollen assemblages suggest non-cyclic changes in plant diversity during the Holocene. The highly diverse cold grass-shrub communities dominated the area up to the Early Holocene, when they were displaced upland by less diverse forest and steppes. Also, The Early and Midd-Holocene was characterized by opposite variations of hydric balance between Andean and extra-andean plant communities present between 48° and 50° S, whereas fire activity occurs synchronously between forest (Andean) and steppe communities (Extra-andean). Late Holocene is characterized by different proxy signals depending on the geographical location of the paleoecological records. To conclude, this work provides a better understanding of the fossil pollen record by its comparison with modern surface pollen samples along an altitudinal vegetation gradient.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49625308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.5027/andgeov47n3-3305
Hans Niemeyer Rubilar
{"title":"Geoquímica de las rocas plutónicas del batolito cambro-ordovícico del Cordón de Lila y de la Sierra de Almeida, Región de Antofagasta, Chile","authors":"Hans Niemeyer Rubilar","doi":"10.5027/andgeov47n3-3305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/andgeov47n3-3305","url":null,"abstract":"An Upper Cambrian-Ordovician (490-460 Ma) batholith crop out along the Cordón de Lila and Sierra de Almeida, in the Antofagasta region, northern Chile, which belongs to the Famatinian arc. Two plutonic rock types can be distinguished: granodiorites and monzogranites. The first lithology is positioned along an occidental fringe in as much the second is located along an oriental part of the batholith. The main geochemical difference between the two lithologies is the enrichment in silica and K of the second with respect of the first one. Most of the granodiorites are metaluminous or are located between the metaluminous and peraluminous fields. The monzogranites are mostly peraluminous. The chemical composition of the plutons (mayor and trace elements and rare earth elements) allow to infer a common origin for both groups, from a mafic magma that evolved by fractional crystallization. The difference in composition between both lithologies, specially the meta or peraluminous character, can be explained by means a different degree of interaction of the original magma with the felsic crustal rocks.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70694654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-05-29DOI: 10.5027/andgeov47n2-3231
J. M. Robledo, M. Y. Horn, C. Galli, L. M. Anzótegui
{"title":"Inferencias paleoclimáticas para el Mioceno tardío en la cuenca de Angastaco basadas en el análisis fisionómico foliar: Formación Palo Pintado, Salta, Argentina","authors":"J. M. Robledo, M. Y. Horn, C. Galli, L. M. Anzótegui","doi":"10.5027/andgeov47n2-3231","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/andgeov47n2-3231","url":null,"abstract":"The continental sedimentary rocks that constitute the Palo Pintado Formation of the late Miocene from Salta province, presents a great paleoclimatic interest due to the environmental conditions prevailing during this geochronologic interval. The geological and paleobotanical data suggest that during the sedimentary rocks accumulation of the Palo Pintado Formation (Angastaco Basin), wetter conditions would have existed comparing with other nearby and contemporary Formations, for example the Playa del Zorro Aloformation (late Miocene of Catamarca) and the Chiquimil (late Miocene of Tucumán), Salicas and the Toro Negro Formations (both from the late Miocene of La Rioja). In this study, the margin and the foliar area of the leaves contained on rocks from the Palo Pintado Formation are analyzed, in order to obtain the mean annual temperature (MAT) and the mean annual precipitation (MAP). The resulting values were: 23.98 °C and 330.8 mm. These results are coincident by the interpretation of different authors, who consider that the Palo Pintado Formation would have been deposited under a relatively humid environment, possibly as a consequence of the rains that affected locally the Angastaco basin región.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46029210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-05-29DOI: 10.5027/andgeov47n2-3061
Germán Otharán, Carlos Zavala, Mariano Arcuri, Mariano Di Meglio, Agustín Zorzano, Denis Marchal, Guillermina Köhler
{"title":"Análisis de facies en depósitos de grano fino asociados a flujos de fango. Formación Vaca Muerta (Tithoniano-Valanginiano), Cuenca Neuquina central, Argentina","authors":"Germán Otharán, Carlos Zavala, Mariano Arcuri, Mariano Di Meglio, Agustín Zorzano, Denis Marchal, Guillermina Köhler","doi":"10.5027/andgeov47n2-3061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/andgeov47n2-3061","url":null,"abstract":"The conventional sedimentological model suggests that the accumulation of organic-rich fine-grained sedimentary rocks (<62.5 μm) is uniquely associated with fallout processes in low energy depositional environments. This contribution analyzes organic-rich mudstones belonging to the lower section of the Vaca Muerta Formation at central areas of the Neuquen Basin (Arroyo Mulichinco, Tres Chorros and Rio Neuquen localities). The studied interval is characterized by the highest organic matter content of the Vaca Muerta Formation (up to 8% TOC). The associated mudstone deposits are usually highly compacted, thus obscuring the recognition of the original fabric and the analysis of mudstone depositional processes. Nevertheless, the common occurrence of carbonate concretions within these highly compacted intervals provides an exceptional preservation of mudstone primary fabric. After macroscopic study of polished slabs and thin sections of these cemented beds, a series of facies genetically linked to muddy underflows were recognized. The origin of these deposits is related to long-lived muddy hyperpycnal flows (quasi-steady mud flows) triggered by extreme river discharges during rainfall humid periods. During their travel basinward, hyperpycnal flows, originally composed of detrital mud, would be able to go through very low gradient reliefs, incorporating the available intrabasinal components (including organic matter) to their extrabasinal sedimentary load. The rapid basinward transfer of organic-rich mud would have provided a fast deposition and efficient burial of organic matter, avoiding its potential degradation at seafloor. Muddy underflows constitute a rational mechanism to explain the common occurrence of bituminous mudstones at central areas of the Neuquen Basin.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49549945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-05-29DOI: 10.5027/andgeov47n2-3118
E. Salazar, P. Vásquez, D. Vallejos, C. Creixell, V. Oliveros, M. Ducea
{"title":"Stratigraphic and provenance analysis of Triassic rock units between 28-29° S, northern Chile: implications on the tectonic and paleogeographic evolution of the southwestern margin of Gondwana","authors":"E. Salazar, P. Vásquez, D. Vallejos, C. Creixell, V. Oliveros, M. Ducea","doi":"10.5027/andgeov47n2-3118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/andgeov47n2-3118","url":null,"abstract":"Triassic rock units of northern Chile (28-29° S) record the transition, both in time and space, between two major orogenies that affected the southwestern margin of South America, the Gondwanian and Andean orogenies. The geodynamic configuration of the margin during this transition is still a matter of debate, particularly whether subduction was interrupted or continued under different parameters in between the orogenies. In order to evaluate these hypotheses by understanding the paleogeographic evolution of the margin, this work synthesizes recent stratigraphical, structural and geochronological data from northern Chile (28-29° S), along with detrital zircon analysis and detritus characterization of the two main siliciclastic Triassic basins present in the area. A detailed study of the evolution of the San Félix and the Canto del Agua basins, their source areas, and exhumation processes of the margin recognizes two stages of intra-arc/forearc basins system development separated by a Carnian unconformity. The first stage (Lopingian-uppermost Middle Triassic) develops an eastern intra-arc basin, which is represented by the volcaniclastic rocks included in the Guanaco Sonso Formation and the roots of the volcanic arc represented by Chollay Plutonic Complex, bounded to the east by a Pennsylvanian-Cisuralian basement block. The forearc basin for this stage is constituted by two graben depocenter, separated by a topographic high, of marine to transitional depositional environment and proximal sediment sources. The eastern graben is filled by conglomerates and turbiditic rocks grouped in Members M1 to M4 of the San Félix Formation, and the western graben, by sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the lower section of the Canto del Agua Formation. The second stage (Norian-Rhaetian) involves an eastern intra-arc basin, represented by the volcanic rocks of the La Totora Formation that seals the exhumed roots of the magmatic arc developed in the previous stage, and a marine to transitional forearc basin to the west, represented by the sedimentary rocks of M5 member of the San Félix Formation and the upper section of the Canto del Agua Formation. These two successions show basal fluvial conglomerates unconformably overlying Anisian prodelta deposits of the first stage, recording a major base level drop of the forearc basin.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44009008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andean GeologyPub Date : 2020-05-29DOI: 10.5027/andgeov47n2-3188
L. Oliva, M. Cioccale, J. Rabassa
{"title":"Morphometry and spatial distribution of glacial cirques in the Western Fuegian Andes of Argentina, southernmost South America","authors":"L. Oliva, M. Cioccale, J. Rabassa","doi":"10.5027/andgeov47n2-3188","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5027/andgeov47n2-3188","url":null,"abstract":"Glacial cirques comprise a distinctive element of relief in alpine landscapes, and their morphometry, distribution and spatial arrangement are generally linked to morphoclimatic factors. This study provides an analysis of morphometric characteristics, floor altitude, aspect and distribution of 251 first-order and 99 \"inner\" cirques with regard to environmental agents in a selected alpine-type area of the southwestern Fuegian Andes, in Southern Argentina. Parametric variables were extracted and quantified from satellite images and a Digital Elevation Model, and integrated to a Geographical Information System for their systematization and processing. Significant associations were identified between the different geometric and spatial parameters evaluated. Variability in cirque morphometry along the study area suggests that their evolution was regulated to a large degree by glacial dynamics related to Beagle palaeoglacier activity, and by the W-E topographic gradient of the mountain section. The record indicates that most cirques in the Fuegian Andes have undergone allometric enlargement in the three dimensions (i.e., lesser vertical erosion compared to walls' horizontal expansion), with local variations in size and shape controlled by ice residence time, aspect and altitude, whereas geological structure is supposed to have affected cirque formation along the entire mountain chain. Cirque azimuth potentially responds to the combined influence of climate (solar radiation and westerly winds), structure (pervasive faulting and rock bedding) and topography in their development. In particular, dominance of southeasterly aspects is interpreted as a consequence of a relatively cloud-free atmosphere and aridity during past glacial periods in the region, consistently with published evidence. The absence of aspect-related variation in cirque floor altitude is considered to indicate incidence of extensive glaciations in the area (i.e., mostly ice-sheet conditions, with mountain peaks far above the regional equilibrium line altitude or ELA), as well as formation of younger, lower cirques during successive cold periods of different intensity. Occurrence of \"inner\" cirques inside larger (preexisting) cirques is thought to reflect a temporary positioning of the ELA just above the floor of the container cirque, permitting short-lived, small cirque-type glaciers to develop along structural bedrock weaknesses.","PeriodicalId":49108,"journal":{"name":"Andean Geology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43324831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}