Neogene evaporites in desert volcanic environments: Atacama Desert, northern Chile

The Upper Miocene and Pliocene evaporite deposits of the Atacama Desert of northern Chile (Hilaricos and Soledad Formations) are among the few non‐marine evaporites in which aridity not only formed the deposits, but has also preserved them almost unaltered under near‐surface conditions. These deposits are largely composed of displacive Ca sulphate and halite together with minor amounts of glauberite, thenardite and polyhalite. However, at the base and top of these deposits, there are also beds of gypsum crystal pseudomorphs that originally formed as free‐growth forms within shallow brine bodies, rather than as displacive sediments. The halite is present as interstitial cement, displacive cubes and shallow‐water, bottom‐growth chevron crusts. Most of the calcium sulphate is presently anhydrite, pseudomorphous after gypsum, that was the primary depositional sulphate mineral. The secondary anhydrite formed under early diagenetic conditions after slight burial (some metres) resulting from the effect of strongly evolved pore brines. The anhydrite has been preserved without rehydration during late diagenetic and exhumation stages on account of the arid environment of the Atacama Desert. Both the Hilaricos and the Soledad Formations contain geochemical markers indicating that these Neogene evaporites had a largely non‐marine origin. Bromine content in the halite is very low (few p.p.m.), indicating neither a sedimentological relation with sea water nor the likelihood of direct recycling of prior marine halites. Moreover, the δ³⁴S of sulphates (+4·5‰ to +9‰) also reflects a non‐marine origin, with a strong volcanic influence, although some recycling of Mesozoic marine sulphates cannot be ruled out. δ³⁴S of dissolved sulphate from hot springs and streams in the area commonly displays positive values (+2‰ to +10‰). Leaching of oxidized sulphur and chlorine compounds from volcanoes and epithermal ore bodies, very common in the associated drainage areas, have been the main contribution to the accumulation of evaporites. The sedimentary and diagenetic evolution of the Hilaricos and Soledad evaporites (based on lithofacies analysis) provides information about the palaeohydrological conditions in the Central Depression of northern Chile during the Neogene. In addition, the diagenesis and exhumation history of these evaporites confirms the persistence of strongly arid conditions from Late Miocene until the present. A final phase of tectonism took place permitting the internal drainage to change and open to the sea, resulting in dissolution and removal of a significant portion of these deposits. Despite the extensive dissolution, the remaining evaporites have undergone little late exhumational hydration.     

Evolution of Irruputuncu volcano,Central Andes,northern Chile

The Irruputuncu is an active volcano located in northern Chile within the Central Andean Volcanic Zone (CAVZ) and that has produced andesitic to trachy-andesitic magmas over the last ∼258 ± 49 ka. We report petrographical and geochemical data, new geochronological ages and for the first time a detailed geological map representing the eruptive products generated by the Irruputuncu volcano. The detailed study on the volcanic products allows us to establish a temporal evolution of the edifice. We propose that the Irruputuncu volcanic history can be divided in two stages, both dominated by effusive activity: Irruputuncu I and II. The oldest identified products that mark the beginning of Irruputuncu I are small-volume pyroclastic flow deposits generated during an explosive phase that may have been triggered by magma injection as suggested by mingling features in the clasts. This event was followed by generation of large lava flows and the edifice grew until destabilization of its SW flank through the generation of a debris avalanche, which ended Irruputuncu I. New effusive activity generated lavas flows to the NW at the beginning of Irruputuncu II. In the meantime, lava domes that grew in the summit were destabilized, as shown by two well-preserved block-and-ash flow deposits. The first phase of dome collapse, in particular, generated highly mobile pyroclastic flows that propagated up to ∼8 km from their source on gentle slopes as low as 11° in distal areas. The actual activity is characterized by deposition of sulfur and permanent gas emissions, producing a gas plume that reaches 200 m above the crater. The maximum volume of this volcanic system is of ∼4 km³, being one of the smallest active volcano of Central Andes.     

Scale of relief growth in the forearc of the Andes of Northern Chile (Arica latitude, 18°S)

The stream profiles of rivers of northern Chile reveal two graded segments separated by 20‐km‐long knickzones. Their formation was initiated in the Late Miocene in response to surface uplift of the western flank of the Altiplano. This phase of uplift that was coeval with the shift of deformation from the Altiplano to the sub‐Andean zone caused relief to grow at the scale of the whole drainage basin. Above and beneath these knickzones, the presence of braided channels and the absence of erosion on adjacent pediplains suggest no substantial modification in the local relief. The knickzones, however, show bedrock channels, and fluvial dissection rates have exceeded erosion rates on adjacent pediplains by two orders of magnitudes. Hence, the data imply that the only geomorphic recorders of relief growth are the knickzones that currently transpose the effects of the Late Miocene phase of surface uplift from the coast to the Altiplano.     

Thallium isotope variations in an ore-bearing continental igneous setting: Collahuasi Formation, northern Chile

Thallium is a highly incompatible element and a large fraction of the bulk silicate Earth Tl budget is, therefore, expected to reside in the continental crust. Nonetheless, the Tl isotope systematics of continental rocks are essentially unexplored at present. Here, we present new Tl isotope composition and concentration data for a suite of 36 intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks from the vicinity of porphyry Cu deposits in the Collahuasi Formation of the Central Andes in northern Chile. The igneous lithologies of the rocks are variably affected by the hydrothermal alteration that accompanied the formation of the Cu deposits.The samples display Tl concentrations that vary by more than an order of magnitude, from 0.1 to 3.2 μg/g, whilst ε²⁰⁵Tl ranges between −5.1 and +0.1 (ε²⁰⁵Tl is the deviation of the ²⁰⁵Tl/²⁰³Tl isotope ratio of a sample from a standard in parts per 10⁴). These variations are primarily thought to be a consequence of hydrothermal alteration processes, including metasomatic transport of Tl, and formation/breakdown of Tl-bearing minerals, which are associated with small but significant Tl isotope effects. The Tl abundances show excellent correlations with both K and Rb concentrations but no co-variation with Cu. This demonstrates that Tl displays only limited chalcophile affinity in the continental crust of the Collahuasi Formation, but behaves as a lithophile element with a distribution that is primarily governed by partitioning of Tl⁺ into K⁺-bearing phases. Collahuasi samples with propylitic alteration features, which are derived from the marginal parts of the hydrothermal systems, have, on average, slightly lighter Tl isotope compositions than rocks from the more central sericitic and argillic alteration zones. This small but statistically significant difference most likely reflects preferential retention of isotopically heavy Tl in alteration phases, such as white micas and clays, which formed during sericitic and argillic alteration.     

The role of the Antofagasta–Calama Lineament in ore deposit deformation in the Andes of northern Chile

During the Late Jurassic–Early Oligocene interval, widespread hydrothermal copper mineralization events occurred in association with the geological evolution of the southern segment of the central Andes, giving rise to four NS-trending metallogenic belts of eastward-decreasing age: Late Jurassic, Early Cretaceous, Late Paleocene–Early Eocene, and Late Eocene–Early Oligocene. The Antofagasta–Calama Lineament (ACL) consists of an important dextral strike-slip NE-trending fault system. Deformation along the ACL system is evidenced by a right-lateral displacement of the Late Paleocene–Early Eocene metallogenic belts. Furthermore, clockwise rotation of the Early Cretaceous Mantos Blancos copper deposit and the Late Paleocene Lomas Bayas porphyry copper occurred. In the Late Eocene–Early Oligocene metallogenic belt, a sigmoidal deflection and a clockwise rotation is observed in the ACL. The ACL is thought to have controlled the emplacement of Early Oligocene porphyry copper deposits (34–37 Ma; Toki, Genoveva, Quetena, and Opache), whereas it deflected the Late Eocene porphyry copper belt (41–44 Ma; Esperanza, Telégrafo, Centinela, and Polo Sur ore deposits). These observations suggest that right-lateral displacement of the ACL was active during the Early Oligocene. We propose that the described structural features need to be considered in future exploration programs within this extensively gravel-covered region of northern Chile.     

The age of relief in northern,subpolar and polar Urals

Reexamination of geological data available for the Northern, Subpolar and Polar Urals indicate that the relief of the area, originally considered to be ancient, is much younger in age. The absence of weathered crusts, Neogene deposits and other indirect evidence suggest a regional uplift of the area during the Neogene. -- IGR Staff.     

Seismic strain rates and distributed continental deformation in the northern Andes and three-dimensional seismotectonics of northwestern South America

Remote sensing and field studies of several extensional basins along the northern margin of the Gulf of Aden in Yemen show that Oligocene–Miocene syn-rift extension trends N20°E on average, in agreement with the E–W to N120°E strike of main rift-related normal faults, but oblique to the main trend of the Gulf (N70°E). These faults show a systematic reactivation under a 160°E extensional stress that we interpret also as syn-rift. The occurrence of these two successive phases of extension over more than 1000 km along the continental margin suggests a common origin linked to the rifting process. After discussing other possible mechanisms such as a change in plate motion, far-field effects of Arabia–Eurasia collision, and stress rotations in transfer zones, we present a working hypothesis that relates the 160°E extension to the westward propagation since about 20 Ma of the N70°E-trending, obliquely spreading, Gulf of Aden oceanic rift. The late 160°E extension, perpendicular to the direction of rift propagation, could result from crack-induced extension associated with the strain localization that characterises the rift-to-drift transition.     

Early Neogene Radiolarian faunal turnover in the northern Indian Ocean: Evidence from Andaman-Nicobar

Two intervals of faunal turnover are revealed by the study of radiolarians from the Early to Middle Miocene sequence of Andaman-Nicobar belonging to Stichocorys wolffii-Calocycletta costata-Dorcadospyris alata zones. These faunal changes are reflected in the values of species diversity, change in abundance of taxa, origination and extinction events and change in radiolarian assemblages. One such faunal change is identified in the latest Early Miocene. The time of this faunal change is marked by the extinction of species like Carpocanopsis cingulata and appearance of Calocycletta costata, Giraffospyris toxaria, Acrocubus octopylus and Liriospyris parkerae, an increasing trend in percentage of cold water species and a decreasing trend in species diversity upwards. The interval coincides with the time of initiation of cooling of sea surface water. Another, and the most prominent faunal turnover of radiolarians is recognized in the Middle Miocene Dorcadospyris alata Zone at about 14.8–12.7 Ma and is characterized by almost complete disappearance of an earlier dominant assemblage and an increase in abundance of an assemblage that was practically absent in the older sequence. The time of this turnover can be correlated with the time of Middle Miocene cooling identified in the examined sequence.     

Critical sections in the Western Andes of Central Peru

Summary Seven valley-sections across the Pacific slopes of the Andes provide evidence interpreted as follows. Cretaceous and post-Senonian beds were folded, thrust and eroded before an immense pile of lava and ash about 60 miles across was erupted. A granitic batholith about 30 miles wide cut through them and the edge of the folded sediments. Erosion unroofed this batholith and then more lava and ash erupted whilst normal faulting proceeded with down throw towards the Pacific. Uplift of about 12 000 feet in rather recent time is called for to account for high Andean plateau. In brief folding due to compression ended. Vulcanicity, magmatic emplacement, faulting and vertical movement succeeded.

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Zusammenfassung Die Profile in sieben die Westhänge der Anden querenden Tälern lassen folgenden Sachverhalt erkennen. Ablagerungen der Kreidezeit und der Zeit nach dem Senon wurden gefaltet, überschoben und erodiert, ehe die Eruption einer ungeheuren, über 100 km breiten Masse von Lava und Aschen erfolgte. Ein etwa 50 km breiter granitischer Batholith durchdrang die Vulkanite und den Rand der gefalteten Sedimentgesteine. Die Erosion entblößte diesen Batholithen, und dann wurden wiederum Lava und Aschen gefördert, während Abschiebungen, mit Absenkung des pazifischen Flügels, in Tätigkeit traten. Man muß mit Hebungen von etwa 4 km in ziemlich junger Zeit rechnen, um das Andenhochplateau erklären zu können. Kurz gesagt, die Faltung durch Einengung endete. Sie wurde abgelöst von Vulkanismus, Platznahme plutonischer Massen, Bruchtektonik und Vertikalbewegung.

     

Miocene Gypcretes from the Calama Basin, northern Chile

Gypcretes of Miocene age are preserved beneath a 9·53 ± 0·36 Ma ignimbrite along the eastern margin of the Oligo-Pleistocene Calama Basin, northern Chile. They are restricted to a single stratigraphic horizon developed within laterally extensive (>35 km) coalesced alluvial fan deposits, developed along the margin of an endorheic basin. Two types of gypcrete are recognized. Type 1 comprises almost completely gypsum-cemented sandstones containing alabastrine nodules and columns, sub-vertical and horizontal veins of fibrous gypsum and 'v-shaped' cracks infilled by clastic material, and are interpreted as surface weathered gypsic crusts. Type 2 gypcretes are composed of massive, reddened poikilitic and mesocrystalline gypsum (up to 80% of the rock) with isolated bedding-parallel, clast-rich lenses (200 × 30 cm) and sub-vertical veins of fibrous gypsum. The massive texture resembles that of well developed B horizons in Quaternary alluvial desert soils. The crystal forms suggest an origin as a subsurface gypsic crust formed by a combination of hydromorphic (poikilitic) and illuvial (mesocrystalline) processes with the fibrous gypsum veins suggestive of periodic surface exposure.
Gypcrete horizons are up to 25 m thick and composed of both gypcrete types. They represent superimposed phases of surface and subsurface gypcrete development. Quaternary gypcretes are developed in arid climatic regimes, but are not considered to develop under hyper-arid climates. An arid climate is considered to have prevailed in the study area up to 9·5 Ma after which a change to hyper-aridity favoured gypcrete preservation.     

The Early Palaeozoic high-grade metamorphism at the active continental margin of West Gondwana in the Andes (NW Argentina/N Chile)

The evolution of the Early Palaeozoic orogen of West Gondwana in the Cambrian to Ordovician basement of the Andes between ~18° and 32° S is investigated for pressure and temperature conditions and age of metamorphism. It is characterized by mid-crust temperatures commonly above the wet granite solidus (~650°C). Widespread felsic migmatite and rare granulite formed at pressures of ca 0.5?C0.7?GPa, locally 1.0?GPa. These rocks represent the deepest exhumed sections of the Early Palaeozoic crust. High pressure?Clow temperature rocks are absent. The crystallization ages, compiled from the literature in combination with new data, for near peak metamorphic conditions of these high-grade metamorphic rocks in NW Argentina and N Chile are ~530?C500?Ma and ~470?C420?Ma. Both age groups are spatially overlapping. Radiogenic isotope signatures (Sr, Nd, Pb) are used to characterize the Early Palaeozoic basement. The Pb and Sr isotope compositions of the Early Palaeozoic basement indicate mixing arrays between pre-Palaeozoic unradiogenic and radiogenic crust. Crustal residence ages (Sm?CNd T_DM) indicate a prominent event of crust formation around ~2?Ga, which is known continent-wide. This material was recycled during Midproterozoic and Early Palaeozoic orogenies without prominent additions of new crust present in the isotope record, i.e. accretion of compositional exotic material is absent.     

A geomorphological approach to determining the Neogene to Recent tectonic deformation in the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile (Atacama)

The large (≈10000 km²) and local-scale (<400 km²) geomorphologic, geomorphometric and field evidence indicates that, from the mid-Miocene onwards, the Atacama Fault System (AFS) accommodated the relative uplift of the western side of the Chilean Coastal Cordillera of the Chañaral region (southern Atacama Desert). The mean regional altitude systematically decreases eastwards crossing the AFS, independent of the lithological characteristics of the substratum cut by this system of faults. Topographic analysis reveals a more incised landscape west of the AFS that, at the local scale, is reported by the distribution of the altitudes (hypsometric curves and integrals) of tributary basins and by the presence of terraces. In the Middle and Upper Miocene, a thick (>300 m) sedimentary succession was deposited east of the AFS. The succession fills previously deep paleovalleys. And it consists of gravel, so-called “Atacama Gravels”, which passes laterally into fine-grained playa related deposits near the AFS. We interpret the deposition of this succession as a result of a blocking closure of the valley flowing from the Precordillera due to the activity on AFS. A pedimentation episode followed sediment deposition and is locally strongly re-incised by the main modern-day river valleys draining the Precordillera. Incision may result from either regional uplift of the forearc, and/or from more localized activity on the AFS. Furthermore, Recent (Quaternary?) tectonic activity on the AFS has been observed which is consistent with a localized relative uplift of the crustal block west of the AFS.     

Crustal contributions to arc magmatism in the Andes of Central Chile

Fifteen andesite-dacite stratovolcanoes on the volcanic front of a single segment of the Andean arc show along-arc changes in isotopic and elemental ratios that demonstrate large crustal contributions to magma genesis. All 15 centers lie 90 km above the Benioff zone and 280±20 km from the trench axis. Rate and geometry of subduction and composition and age of subducted sediments and seafloor are nearly constant along the segment. Nonetheless, from S to N along the volcanic front (at 57.5% SiO₂) K₂O rises from 1.1 to 2.4 wt %, Ba from 300 to 600 ppm, and Ce from 25 to 50 ppm, whereas FeO^*/MgO declines from >2.5 to 1.4. Ce/Yb and Hf/Lu triple northward, in part reflecting suppression of HREE enrichment by deep-crustal garnet. Rb, Cs, Th, and U contents all rise markedly from S to N, but Rb/Cs values double northward — opposite to prediction were the regional alkali enrichment controlled by sediment subduction. K/Rb drops steeply and scatters greatly within many (biotite-free) andesitic suites. Wide diversity in Zr/Hf, Zr/Rb, Ba/Ta, and Ba/La within and among neighboring suites (which lack zircon and alkali feldspar) largely reflects local variability of intracrustal (not slab or mantle) contributions. Pb-isotope data define a limited range that straddles the Stacey-Kramers line, is bracketed by values of local basement rocks, in part plots above the field of Nazca plate sediment, and shows no indication of a steep (mantle+sedimentary) Pb mixing trend. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values rise northward from 0.7036 to 0.7057, and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values drop from 0.5129 to 0.5125. A northward climb in basal elevation of volcanic-front edifices from 1350 m to 4500 m elevation coincides with a Bougueranomaly gradient from –95 to –295 mgal, interpreted to indicate thickening of the crust from 30–35 km to 50–60 km. Complementary to the thickening crust, the mantle wedge beneath the front thins northward from about 60 km to 30–40 km (as slab depth is constant). The thick northern crust contains an abundance of Paleozoic and Triassic rocks, whereas the proportion of younger arc-intrusive basement increases southward. Primitive basalts are unknown anywhere along the arc. Base-level isotopic and chemical values for each volcano are established by blending of subcrustal and deep-crustal magmas in zones of melting, assimilation, storage and homogenization (MASH) at the mantle-crust transition. Scavenging of mid-to upper-crustal silicic-alkalic melts and intracrustal AFC (prominent at the largest center) can subsequently modify ascending magmas, but the base-level geochemical signature at each center reflects the depth of its MASH zone and the age, composition, and proportional contribution of the lowermost crust.     

Natural hazards and forest resources in the Andes of south-central Chile

From May 21–25, 1960 many of the cities of south-cenral Chile suffered extensive damage when shaken by 11 shocks of an earthquake swarm, each measuring over 6 on the Richter scale with the strongest at 8.5. Associated with this seismic activity were volcanic eruptions and thousands of debris avalanches, lands lides, and mudflows in the Andes fromc. 39° to 42° Lat. S. The events of 1960 led to the recognition of long-term effects of repeated catastrophic phenomena on the landform, soil, and vegetation patterns of south-central Chile. Many of the native tree species, including the dominant Nothofagus species, are dependent on massive disturbance for their regeneration which is of critical importance to forest management. Catastrophic geologic hazards, as well as snow avalanches, are highly significant to all aspects of native forest use including production forestry, forest recreation, and protection forestry. The importance of environmental hazards in forest resource development and conservation in Latin America has received scant attention but, as shown by the case of the Andean region of south-central Chile, should be a major consideration in resource use planning.     

Neogene rotations of the Chenoua massif,northern Algeria,from remagnetizations

The tectonics of the Chenoua massif suggests block rotations of Neogene nappes associated with the African–European plate convergence. To estimate the extent of these rotations, a Paleomagnetic study on rhyolites and andesites of Langhian–Serravallian age and sandstones of Burdigalian age was carried out on 23 sites (200 specimens). The sites are distributed in the northwestern, southeastern and southern Chenoua massif. One or two components of magnetization, mainly carried by magnetite, pyrrhotite and/or hematite, were isolated in sandstones and volcanics. The sandstone sites reveal magnetizations in sandstones from the Cap Blanc syncline that are post-folding. However, both polarities are found, which is consistent with data from Africa during the Upper Miocene. Clockwise and counterclockwise rotations were recorded, dating back to the Neogene times in volcanics and sediments. From the faulted Cap Blanc syncline counterclockwise rotations of 1?±?4° to 18?±?28° around a vertical axis occurred in sediments since the Miocene with respect to Africa. In fact, remagnetizations occurred at several periods of time and in different sites, providing information on the evolution of post-tectonic rotations. Some volcanics record counterclockwise rotations of about 30° since the Miocene, whereas others do not show any significant rotation. This can be explained by the direction of the principal compressive stress axis σ ₁ and by lateral extrusions related to an indentation model, in which we expect both clockwise and counterclockwise rotations.     

Cenozoic tectonic evolution in the Central Andes in northern Chile and west central Bolivia: implications for paleogeographic, magmatic and mountain building evolution

A review of available stratigraphic, structural, and magmatic evolution in northernmost Chile, and adjacent Peru and Bolivia shows that in this region: (1) compression on the Paleogene intra-arc during the middle Eocene Incaic phase formed the NNE-SSW-oriented Incaic range along the present-day Precordillera and Western Cordillera, and (2) post-Incaic tectonic conditions remained compressive until present, contrasting with other regions of the Andes, where extensional episodes occurred during part of this time lapse. A late Oligocene–early Miocene peak of deformation caused further uplift. The Incaic range formed a pop-up structure bounded by two thrusts systems of diverging vergencies; it represented a major paleogeographic feature that separated two domains with different tectonic and paleogeographic evolutions, and probably formed the Andean water divide. This range has been affected by intense erosion and was symmetrically flanked by two major basins, the Pampa del Tamarugal and the Altiplano. Magmatic activity remained located along the previous Late Cretaceous–early Eocene arc with slight eastward shift. Further compression caused westvergent thrusting and uplift along the western Eastern Cordillera bounding the Altiplano basin to the east by another pop-up shaped ridge. Eastward progression of deformation caused eastvergent thrusting of the Eastern Cordillera and Subandean zone.     

Saline lake carbonates within an Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous continental red bed sequence in the Atacama region of northern Chile

The Codocedo Limestone Member is a thin but laterally persistent lacustrine sequence within the red beds of the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Quebrada Monardes Formation, in the Atacama region of northern Chile. The thick succession of clastic terrigenous sediments of the Quebrada Monardes Formation was deposited in an arid to semi-arid environment. Sedimentary facies are indicative of deposition of aeolian dunes, alluvial fans and braided streams, playa-lake mudflats, and saline lakes and coastal lagoons. The strata accumulated in a N-S elongated extensional back-arc basin on the landward side of an active volcanic arc. The 3 m thick Codocedo Limestone Member marks striking facies changes within the Quebrada Monardes Formation. It is underlain by a thick sequence of conglomerates and sandstones, deposited on alluvial fans. The limestone itself is characterized by evaporite minerals and laterally continuous laminations, indicative of deposition by vertical accretion in a perennial saline lake. The overlying siltstones and fine sandstones contain geodes and gypsum pseudomorphs and were deposited on playa-lake mudflats. The limestone therefore represents a relatively short period of lacustrine deposition within an essentially terrigenous succession. The lake was possibly formed quite suddenly, for example by damming of the basin by a lava flow. Sedimentation in the perennial lake was predominantly cyclical. Seasonal planktonic algal blooms produced millimetre-scale laminations. Interbedded with these laminites are centimetre-scale beds of evaporitic gypsum, anhydrite and minor halite. The evaporite minerals have been largely replaced by calcite, chalcedony and quartz. The centimetre-scale cycles may have resulted from periodic freshwater input into the lake. After a period of about 3000 yr the lake dried up, to be replaced by extensive playa-lake mudflats. The Codocedo Limestone Member possibly formed a plane of detachment during an early Tertiary phase of E-W directed regional compression. The limestones and evaporites were folded and extensively brecciated. This deformation probably resulted from simple shear along the bedding plane of the relatively weak evaporite minerals prior to their replacement by calcite and quartz.     

南海北部陆坡区新近系沉积体系特征与天然气水合物分布的关系

南海北部陆坡区新生界含有丰富的油气资源和各种矿产资源，对其沉积体系的分析可以指导资源勘探和开发。笔者在对南海北部陆坡区的西沙海槽和东沙海域的地震剖面解释与研究的基础上，依据“外部形态＋内部属性”的分类原则，在中新世以来的沉积层中共识别出8种典型的地震相：席状平行相、席状波形相、席状空白相、席状杂乱相、席状前积相、帚状前积相、透镜状前积相和丘状杂乱相。结合地震相分析，在南海北部陆坡区识别出6种典型的沉积体系：三角洲体系、等深流、低位扇、滑塌块体、浊积扇和扇三角洲体系；其中等深流、滑塌块体和各种扇体的前缘与BSR分布的吻合率最高，是最有利于天然气水合物聚集成矿的相带。     

Geochronology of upper Tertiary volcanic activity in the Andes of north Chile

25 new K-Ar data are presented for Upper Cenozoic andesites and ignimbrites from the Andes of north Chile between 20° 30 S and 22° 30 S. The original simple volcanic stratigraphy of andesites overlying ignimbrites has been refined. A more complicated stratigraphy, with some andesites predating the ignimbrites, is described. The sequence and timing of volcanic events differ along the length of the north Chilean Andes. Ages of the earliest widespread ignimbrite eruptions range from 21 m. y. to 10 m. y., in different segments of the volcanic chain. The existence of two large acid extrusives of Quaternary age suggests that generation of acid magmas has continued until recently.

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Zusammenfassung 25 neue K-Ar-Daten von känozoischen Andesiten und Ignimbriten der nordchilenischen Anden zwischen 20° 30 S und 22° 30 S werden vorgestellt. Die ursprünglich einfache Stratigraphie — Andesite überlagern Ignimbrite — wurde verfeinert, und eine komplexere Stratigraphie, bei der einige Andesite älter sind als die Ignimbrite, wird beschrieben. Die Reihenfolge und der zeitliche Ablauf vulkanischer Tätigkeit sind in den nordchilenischen Anden komplex. Die ältesten ausgedehnten Ignimbritdecken reichen in den verschiedenen Abschnitten der Vulkanzone von 21 bis 10 Mio. Jahre. Das Vorhandensein von zwei großen sauren quartären Extrusionszyklen läßt vermuten, daß die Bildung von sauren Magmen bis in die Gegenwart andauerte.

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Resumen Se presentan 25 nuevas edades radiométricas de lavas y ignimbritas Cenozoicas de los Andes del Norte Chileno, entre los meridianos 20° 30 S y 22° 30 S. La estratigrafía primera de las rocas volcanicas (las lavas sobre las ignimbritas) se ha refinado. Se describe una estratigrafia mas complicada, en que algunas lavas antedatan las ignimbritas. La sucesión y las edades de los eventos volcanicos diferen a lo largo de los Andes del Norte Chileno. Las edades de las erupciones mas tempranas y extensivas varian entre 21 M. a. y 10 M. a. en segmentas diferentes de la zona volcanica. La existencia de dos grandes derrames acidos de edad cuaternaria sugere que la producción de magmas acidas continuó hasta el tiempo reciente.

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Résumé On présente 25 valeurs nouvelles sur l'âge radiométrique des andésites et des ignimbrites du Cénozoïque supérieur des Andes du nord du Chili entre les latitudes 20° 30 et 22° 30 S. L'ancienne stratigraphie simplifiée où les andésites surmontent les ignimbrites a été révisée, et remplacée par une stratigraphie plus compliquée où quelques andéseites précèdent les ignimbrites. La succession et la chronologie des éruptions volcaniques diffèrent le long des Andes du nord du Chili. Dans les différentes parties de la chaîne volcanique, l'âge des premières grandes eruptions d'ignimbrites varie entre 21 et 10 M. a. La présence de deux grandes coulées acides d'âge quaternaire permet de supposer que des magmas acides continuent à se former.

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26 ( K/Ar) - 20°30 22°30 . — — , , , . - , , . 21 22 . , .