Geomorphologic evidence for Plio‐Quaternary shortening in the southern Neuquén basin (40°S,Argentina) |
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| Authors: | Damien Huyghe Bertrand Nivière Cédric Bonnel |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratoire des Fluides Complexes et leurs Réservoirs, UMR 5150, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, IPRA, Pau Cedex, France;2. Geosciences Environnement Toulouse, UMR 5563, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France |
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| Abstract: | A morphostructural analysis of a Pliocene flood basalt formation in the southern Neuquén basin (40°S) shows evidence of contractional deformation less than 3.5 Ma ago. This formation exhibits a general dip towards the south‐east, with relict outcrops located 100 m higher than the main source volcano, which suggests a local tilting of the lava flow. This tilt has been brought about by Plio‐Quaternary reactivation of the eastern border of the Sañico Massif along two thrusts that offset the lava flow. Another long‐wavelength bulge in the southern part of the lava flow unit indicates a possible Pliocene uplift of the North Patagonian Massif. These results provide new evidence of continuing shortening in the Neuquén basin during the Plio‐Quaternary, challenging the hypothesis that an extensional regime has existed since the end of the Miocene in this basin. |
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