Exhumation of the Neuquén Basin in the southern Central Andes (Malargüe fold and thrust belt) from field data and low-temperature thermochronology. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Folguera, A.; Bottesi, G.; Duddy, I.; Martín-González, F.; Orts, D.; Sagripanti, L.; Rojas Vera, E.; Ramos, V.A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of South American earth sciences. Volume 64:Part 2(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 381
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Neuquén Basin -- Southern Central Andes -- Exhumation -- AFTA apatite fission track analysis -- Magmatic activity; Geology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Geology -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Geology -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Géologie -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Antarctica; Caribbean Area; Latin America; Periodicals; 550.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2015.08.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9811

Abstract

Abstract: Apatite fission-track analysis performed on eighteen Mesozoic sediment samples of the Neuquén Basin from the Southern Central Andes orogenic front between 35°30′ and 37°S has revealed Campanian-Paleocene (75-55 Ma), late Eocene-early Oligocene (35-30 Ma) and middle Miocene (15-10 Ma) cooling episodes. Each cooling episode corresponds closely with major unconformities observed in the preserved sedimentary sequences, and is associated with kilometer-scale additional burial and subsequent exhumation. A similar degree of cooling is inferred from associated vitrinite reflectance data. Late Eocene-early Oligocene exhumation is recognized only near the eastern orogenic front adjacent to the foreland in the southernmost part of the study area and may be related partly to within-plate magmatism and associated extension in the Palaoco Basin. The Campanian-Paleocene and middle Miocene cooling episodes are recognized more widely in the fold and thrust belt and appear to coincide with periods of eastward arc expansion and mountain building processes. Highlights: 75–55 and 15–10 Ma cooling episodes (AFT) detected on samples of the Neuquén Basin. Late Eocene-early Oligocene cooling episode is recognized near the orogenic front. 75–55 and 15–10 Ma cooling episodes coincide with periods of mountain building.