1,720,959 research outputs found
Fault gouge analyses: K-Ar illite dating, clay mineralogy and tectonic significance-a study from the Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina
We introduce a method for the detailed interpretation of K-Ar illite fine-fraction ages of fault gouges from non-sedimentary host rocks. Ages are cross-evaluated with several independent parameters, e.g. illite crystallinity, illite polytype quantification, grain size, mineralogical observations, K-Ar muscovite and biotite host-rock cooling ages as well as low-temperature thermochronological data (AFT, AHe, ZHe). This interpretation approach is applied to a regional study in order to constrain the 'deformation path' of the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas in NW Argentina. In the course of this study, a large number of gouge-bearing fault zones were systematically sampled and analysed. Obtained K-Ar illite fine-fraction ages range from Devonian to Cretaceous times, documenting a long-lasting brittle fault activity in this region. Ages > 320 Ma are synchronous with a period of intra-Carboniferous compressional tectonism, whereas Permo-Triassic ages are contemporaneous to a flat-slab subduction episode of the Farallon plate beneath the South American plate. Middle to Late Permian and Early Triassic ages as well as Early Jurassic to Middle Cretaceous ages correlate with extensional tectonics in this region. Additionally, K-Ar illite ages reveal a propagation of brittle deformation from north to south in the Sierras de Crdoba and San Luis. Data integrity and consistency with other chronometers and geological evidence show that the here suggested interpretation is valid and can provide a powerful tool to evaluate cooling and deformation histories. Despite of that, we could show that the reliability of fault gouge data strongly depends on the regional cooling.German Science Foundation (DFG) [SI 438/31-1]; DAAD [D/08/48018
Cenozoic exhumation and uplift of the Sierra de Pie de Palo constrained by Thermochronological methods
The Sierra de Pie de Palo located between 67 degrees 30'-68 degrees 30' W and 31 degrees 00'-32 degrees 00' S in the Argentine Western Sierras Pampeanas in Argentina is a distinct basement range, which lacks thermochronological data deciphering its exhumation and uplift history below 200 degrees C. Integrated cooling histories constrained by apatite fission-track data as well as (U-Th)/He measurements of zircon and apatite reveal that the structural evolution of this mountain range commenced during the Late Paleozoic and was mainly controlled by tectonically triggered erosion. Following further erosional controlled exhumation in a more or less extensional regime during the Mesozoic, the modern topography was generated by denudation in the Paleogene during the early stage of the Andean deformation, whereupon deformation propagated towards the west since the Late Mesozoic to Paleogene. This evolution is characterised by a total of 3.7 -4.2 km vertical rock uplift and by 1.7-2.2 km exhumation with a rate of 0.03-0.04 mm/a within the Sierra de Pie de Palo since ca. 60 Ma. Onset of uplift of peak level is also referred to that time resulting in a less Pliocene amount of uplift than previously assumed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.German Research Council (DFG) [SI 438/31-1
Is the exhumation of the Sierras Pampeanas only related to Neogene flat-slab subduction? Implications from a multi-thermochronological approach
This paper presents new thermochronological data and reviews a set of recently published data for the Sierras Pampeanas in central and northwestern Argentina, which constitutes a distinct morphotectonic feature between 27 degrees S and 33 degrees S. Thermochronological data, derived from zircon and apatite (U-Th)/He, as well as apatite fission-track dating, reveal that cooling below 200 degrees C commenced locally during the Carboniferous period. In Permo-Triassic times, pronounced cooling propagated from east to west in the Southern Sierras Pampeanas, being time-equivalent and spatially equivalent to a flat-slab subduction period at these latitudes. Mesozoic rifting, accompanied by sedimentation and burial re-heating, only affected the thermal history of sampled rocks locally, suggesting that substantial sedimentary thicknesses were only accumulated along narrow and spatially-restricted Cretaceous rift basins. Final cooling in the northern Pampean ranges occurred during the Miocene. Contrastingly, in the Southern and Southwestern Sierras Pampeanas, cooling to near-surface temperatures occurred between the Late Cretaceous and the Paleogene, supporting the idea that a positive topography already existed in these areas before the Neogene. This contradicts the previous hypothesis that the uplift of the Pampean ranges is completely related to the Neogene flat-slab subduction. Instead, this process just accentuated a preexisting relief built up by diachronously developed Mesozoic land surfaces. Calculated long-term denudation rates, varying between 0.010 and 0.024 km/Ma, also support the idea of diachronous surfaces preserved since Mesozoic times. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.German Science Foundation (DFG) [SI 438/31-1]; DAAD [1461 D/08/48018
Refined exhumation history of the northern Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina
The Sierra de Aconquija and Cumbres Calchaquies in the thick-skinned northern Sierras Pampeanas, NW Argentina present an ideal setting to investigate the tectonically and erosionally controlled exhumation and uplift history of mountain ranges using thermochronological methods. Although these ranges are located along strike of one another, their spatiotemporal evolution varies significantly. Integrating modeled cooling histories constrained by K-Ar ages of muscovite and biotite, apatite fission track data as well as (U-Th)/He measurement of zircon and apatite reveal the structural evolution of these ranges beginning in the late stage of the Paleozoic Famatinian Orogeny. Following localized rift-related exhumation in the central part of the study area and slow erosion elsewhere, growth of the modern topography commenced in the Cenozoic during Andean deformation. The main activity occurred during the late Miocene, with varying magnitudes of rock uplift, surface uplift, and exhumation in the two mountain ranges. The Cumbres Calchaquies is characterized by a total of 5-7km of vertical rock uplift, around 3km of crestal surface uplift, and a maximum exhumation of 2-4km since that time. The Sierra de Aconquija experienced 10-13km of vertical rock uplift, similar to 4-5km of peak surface uplift, and 6-8km of exhumation since around 9Ma. Much of this exhumation occurred along a previously poorly recognized fault. Miocene reactivation of Cretaceous rift structures may explain along-strike variations within these ranges. Dating of sedimentary samples from adjacent basins supports the evolutionary model developed for the mountain ranges
From feeder dykes to scoria cones: the tectonically controlled plumbing system of the Rauðhólar volcanic chain, Northern Volcanic Zone, Iceland
The Rauoholar volcanic chain, located in the Northern Volcanic Zone of Iceland, has been variably eroded such that, in the northern part, the original scoria cones are preserved, while the central and southern parts expose their shallow feeders. The chain thus offers insight into the inner workings of the near-surface feeder system of scoria cones. The volcanic chain was mapped in 3D using GPS. The en echelon-arranged volcanic chain can be divided into three parts: The southernmost part contains only plugs and necks with a thin pyroclastic cover as well as multi-tiered lava flows. The central part combines partially eroded scoria cones, (feeder) dyke intersections, and welded scoria interbedded within rootless and clastogenic lava flows; the welded scoria is composed of different kinds of lithics and bombs. The northern part preserves almost intact, overlapping scoria cones with voluminous lapilli- sized scoriaceous deposits. The overall dyke trend is orthogonal but shows radial patterns in individual cone complexes. Feeder dykes observed to depths of about 200 m below the volcanic chain are up to 8 m thick and flare in to conduits in the uppermost 20-50 m. The exposed shallow plumbing system shows that magma pathways through the volcanic edifice are very complex with incremental, repeated intrusions. We interpret the arcuate shape to be the result of a local change in the orientation of the stress field because the Rauoholar volcanic chain is located within a major relay structure between volcanoes on the eastern Fremrinamur rift arm and a rift extension with grabens on the western periphery
Exhumation and uplift of the Sierras Pampeanas: preliminary implications from K–Ar fault gouge dating and low-T thermochronology in the Sierra de Comechingones (Argentina)
The Sierras Pampeanas in central and north-western Argentina constitute a distinct morphotectonic feature between 27°S and 33°S. The last stage of uplift and deformation in this area are interpreted to be closely related to the Andean flat-slab subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American plate. K–Ar fault gouge dating and low-temperature thermochronology along two transects within the Sierra de Comechingones reveal a minimum age for the onset of brittle deformation about 340 Ma, very low exhumation rates since Late Paleozoic time, as well as a total exhumation of about 2.3 km since the Late Cretaceous. New Ar–Ar ages (7.54–1.91 Ma) of volcanic rocks from the San Luis volcanic belt support the eastward propagation of the flat-slab magmatic front, confirming the onset of flat-slab related deformation in this region at 11.2 Ma. Although low-temperature thermochronology does not clearly constrain the signal of the Andean uplift, it is understood that the current structural relief related to the Comechingones range has been achieved after the exhumation of both fault walls (circa 80–70 Ma)
Multi-Method Chronometric Constraints on the Thermal, Structural and Morphotectonic Evolution of the Eastern and Western Sierras Pampeanas with Special Emphasis on K-Ar Dating of Fault Gouges
Die hier präsentierte Studie umfasst detaillierte Untersuchungen zur thermochronologischen, strukturellen sowie morphologischen Entwicklung der Östlichen und Westlichen Sierras Pampeanas in Argentinien, zwischen 26°S to 34°S südlicher Breite.
Kapitel 3 diskutiert thermochronologische Daten (Apatit Spaltspuren, Zirkon und Apatit (U-Th)/He) sowie K-Ar Illit-Datierung an Störungsletten aus der Sierra de Comechingones sowie Ar-Ar Alter an Vulkaniten des vulkanischen Gürtels von San Luis (Östliche Sierras Pampeanas). K-Ar Illitalter belegen den Beginn spröder Deformation vor etwa 340 Ma. Thermochronologische Daten dokumentieren geringe Exhumationsraten seit dem späten Paläozoikum sowie eine maximale Exhumierung von etwa 2,3 km seit der späten Kreidezeit. Ar-Ar Datierungen an vulkanischen Gesteinen des San Luis Vulkanischen Gürtels ergeben Alter zwischen 7,54 Ma und 1,91 Ma. Dies belegt ein ostwärts gerichtetes Fortschreiten der magmatischen Front, welches mit einer Verflachung des Subduktionswinkels der Nazca Platte unter die Südamerikanische Platte vor etwa 11.2 Ma assoziiert wird. Darüber hinaus deuten die hier präsentierten thermochronologischen Daten an, dass der Anteil Andiner Exhumation und Hebung an der Gesamthebung und Exhumation der Sierras Pampeanas von geringer ist als gemeinhin angenommen.
Kapitel 4 präsentiert Ergebnisse von Niedrig-Temperatur thermochronologischen Untersuchungen sowie K-Ar Alter retrograd gewachsener Illite aus spröden Störungszonen der Sierra de San Luis (Östliche Sierras Pampeanas). K-Ar Illitalter belegen eine lang andauernde Aktivität spröder Deformation welche unmittelbar nach dem Ende der Chanic Phase der Famatinischen Orogenese vor etwa 320 Ma einsetzte und zeitlich mit dem Übergang von duktilen zu spröden Deformationsmechanismen übereinstimmt. Jüngste Illitlater liegen zwischen 222-172 Ma. Diese können als Abkühlalter des Grundgebirges unter die zur Illitbildung benötigten Temperaturen interpretiert werden, jedoch nicht als Ende der spröden Deformation. Diese Interpretation wird von den Ergebnissen thermochronologischer Untersuchungen bestätigt. (U-Th)/He Datierungen an Apatiten und Zirkonen, sowie Apatit Spaltspuranalysen dokumentieren die Exhumation seit dem Perm, welche möglicherweise in Verbindung zur San Rafael Orogenese steht. Die ermittelten Abkühlalter belegen geringe Exhumationsraten sowie die damit einhergehende lange Verweildauer der Proben in den Temperaturbereichen der partial annealing bzw. parial retention zone von Apatit und Zirkon (PRZA, PRZZ und PAZA). Die finale Abkühlung auf Oberflächentemperaturen fand im Verlauf des Jura und der späten Kreide statt. Die Abkühlgeschichten der Sierra de San Luis und Sierra de Comechingones werden in einem Entwicklungsmodel zusammengefasst, welches signifikante Unterschiede in der thermischen Entwicklung beider Gebirgszüge offenbart.
Kapitel 5 diskutiert die thermochronologische Entwicklung der Sierra de Pie de Palo, einem ausgeprägten Höhenzug in den Westlichen Sierras Pampeanas. Thermochronologische Untersuchungen zeigen das die strukturelle Entwicklung der Sierra Pie de Palo bereits im späten Paläozoikum einsetzte und von jeher durch tektonisch kontrollierte Erosion geprägt wurde, welche sich im Verlauf des Mesozoikums aufgrund extensionaler Tektonik zwar verlangsamte, jedoch andauerte. Die heutige Topographie des Gebirgszuges bildete sich im Zuge Andiner Kompression im Verlauf des Späten Mesozoikums und Paläogens durch die Hebung und damit einhergehender Denudation einzelner Grundgebirgsblöcke. Die mit der Hebung assoziierte Deformation schritt dabei von Ost nach West voran. Der Gesamtbetrag vertikaler Hebung seit dem frühen Paläozoikum kann auf ca. 3,7-4,3 km eingegrenzt werden, wobei die Gesamtexhumation etwa 1,7-2,2 km bei einer Exhumationsrate von 0,03-0,04 mm/a beträgt.
Kapitel 6 stellt eine Methode zur Interpretation von K-Ar Illit Feinfraktionsaltern aus Störungsletten aus nichtsedimentären Gesteinen vor. Gemäß der vorgestellten Methode werden die ermittelten K Ar Illitalter in Kombination mit den Untersuchungsergebnissen unabhängiger Parameter, z.B. Illitkristallinität, Illit-Polytypie und Polytyp-Quantifizierung, Korngröße, Tonmineralogie, K-Ar Abkühlaltern des Nebengesteins sowie mit Ergebnissen thermochronologischer Untersuchungen (AHe, ZHe, AFT) evaluiert. Dieser Interpretationsansatz wird im Rahmen einer regionalen Studie innerhalb der Östlichen Sierras Pampeanas exemplarisch angewandt. Im Zuge dessen wurde eine große Zahl von Störungsletten systematisch beprobt und analysiert. Ermittelte K-Ar Illitalter decken die Zeitspanne vom Devon bis in die Kreidezeit und dokumentieren eine lang anhaltende Phase bruchhafter Deformation in der Region. Alter >320 Ma sind synchron mit einer Periode kompressiver intra-Platten Tektonik, während Permische und Triassische Alter mit einer Periode flacher Subduktion der Farallon Platte unter die Südamerikansche Platte assoziiert werden können. Darüber hinaus belegen die K-Ar Illitalter ein von Nord nach Süd Fortschreiten der spröden Deformation in den Sierras de San Luis und Comechingones. Die Integrität und Konsistenz der analysierten Daten belegt die Leistungsfähigkeit und tektonische Signifikanz der hier vorgestellten Methode, welche somit einen bedeutenden Beitrag zur Entschlüsselung komplexer Abkühlungs- und Deformationsereignisse bieten kann. Jedoch kann gezeigt werden, dass die Aussagekraft der hier vorgestellten Methode stark von der Abkühlgeschichte des Untersuchungsgebietes abhängt.
Kapitel 7 präsentiert thermochronologische Daten aus den gesamten Sierras Pampeanas. Darüber hinaus werden alle verfügbaren thermochronologischen und geochronologischen Daten zur Abkühlgeschichte der Sierras Pampeanas diskutiert und in ein Abkühlmodell zusammengefasst. Die Daten belegen eine Abkühlung unter 200°C im Verlauf des Karbons. Im Verlauf des Perms und der Trias schritt die Abkühlung von West nach Ost fort, räumlich und zeitlich einhergehend mit dem fortschreiten eines flachen Subduktionsereignisses der Farallon-Platte unter die heutige Südamerikanische Platte. Mesozoische Riftereignisse und damit einhergehende Sedimentation und Versenkung zeigen nur lokal Einfluss auf die ermittelten Abkühlalter. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass die zum Verlust der Altersinformation der thermochronologischen Systeme notwenige Versenkungstiefen nur entlang der schmalen, räumlich eingeschränkten Kretazischen Riftbecken erreicht werden. Die finale Abkühlung auf Oberflächentemperaturen verlief diachron in den nördlichen und südlichen Sierras Pampeanas. So können im Norden Neogene Alter beobachtet werden, während die südlichen und westlichen Sierras Pampeanas spätestens seit der Kreide bzw. frühen Paleogens auf Oberflächentemperaturen abgekühlt waren. Letzteres deutet auf die Existenz einer positiven Topographie in den südlichen Sierras Pampeanas, bereits vor dem Einsetzen Cenozoischen Andinen Kompression und der im Neogenen einsetzenden flachen Subduktion der Nazca-Platte hin. Dies wiederum wiederspricht der allgemein akzeptierten Hypothese, dass die Exhumation und Hebung der Sierras Pampeanas allein mit der Neogenen flachen Subduktion der Nazca-Platte in Verbindung stehen. Im Gegensatz dazu wird vorgeschlagen, dass diese Neogenen Prozesse lediglich zu einer Überprägung und Akzentuierung des bereits existierenden Reliefs führten. Diese Vermutung kann durch die Berechnung auffallend niedriger Denudationsraten in den Östlichen und Westlichen Sierras Pampeanas von 0,010 0,024 km/a gestützt werden, welche auf stabile Bedingungen, zumindest seit der späten Kreidezeit, hindeuten.The thesis presented here is focused on the in investigation of the thermochronological, structural and morphological evolution of the Eastern and Western Sierras Pampeanas in Argentina between 26°S and 34°S latitude.
Chapter 3 discusses results from K-Ar fault-gouge dating and low-temperature thermochronology (Apatite Fission Track, Zircon and Apatite (U-Th)/He) along two transects within the Sierra de Comechingones, as well as Ar-Ar ages from the San Luis Volcanic Belt (Eastern Sierras Pampeanas). Data reveal a minimum age for the onset of brittle deformation of about 340 Ma, very low exhumation rates since Late Paleozoic times and a total exhumation of about 2.3 km since the Late Cretaceous. New Ar–Ar ages (7.54–1.91 Ma) of volcanic rocks from the San Luis volcanic belt support the eastward propagation of the flat-slab subduction-related magmatic front, confirming the onset of flat-slab-related deformation in this region at 11.2 Ma. Although low-temperature thermochronology does not clearly constrain the signal of the Andean uplift, it is understood that the total amount of uplift due to the Andean deformation is possibly of more minor importance than previously assumed.
Chapter 4 presents the, as yet, first low-temperature thermochronological data as well as K-Ar ages from retrograde grown illite from brittle fault-gouges along one transect in the Sierra de San Luis (Eastern Sierras Pampeanas). K-Ar fault-gouge data reveal long-lasting brittle fault activity which started subsequent to the end of the Chanic orogenic cycle and the cessation of ductile deformation at around 320 Ma. Cooling of the samples below illite formation temperatures confines the youngest K-Ar illite ages to 222-172 Ma, representing the last illite forming event but not the end of brittle deformation. This stands in good accordance with the cooling history derived from the other thermochronometers used. Carboniferous K-Ar illite ages are interpreted in relation to an orogenic event. Thermochronological data derived from (U-Th)/He ages of apatite and zircon, as well as apatite fission-track dating, reveal an onset of exhumation in the transect studied during Permian times. Exhumation is possibly related to the San Rafael orogenic phase and dominated by slow cooling rates. Slow cooling and, thus, persistent residence of the samples in the partial annealing / retention zone temperature conditions of apatite and zircon (PRZA, PRZZ and PAZA) during cooling influenced the ages obtained. Final exhumation to surface temperatures is not well constrained but most likely happened during Jurassic or Late Cretaceous times. Published data for the evolution of the Sierra de San Luis and Sierra de Comechingones as well as the new data presented here are condensed in an evolutionary model, revealing significant differences in the cooling and deformation history of both ranges.
Chapter 5 illustrates the thermochronological evolution of the Sierra de Pie de Palo, a distinct basement range located in the Western Sierras Pampeanas. Integrated cooling histories constrained by apatite fission-track data and (U-Th)/He measurements of zircon and apatite reveal that the structural evolution of this mountain range commenced during the Late Paleozoic and was mainly controlled by tectonically triggered erosion. Although decelerated, exhumation controlled by erosion persisted on even during the Mesozoic. The present-day topography of the Pie de Palo range was generated by en-block uplift and related denudation during the earliest stage of the Andean deformation during the Late Mesozoic to Paleogene. Deformation associated with this event propagated from the east to west during this time interval. Since the Early Paleogene, total vertical block uplift has been about 3.7-4.2 km, while exhumation has been between 1.7-2.2 km with a rate of 0.03-0.04 mm/a. In contrast to previous assumptions, the amount of Late Pliocene uplift may be significantly lower in favor of Mesozoic to Paleogene uplift.
Chapter 6 introduces a method for the detailed interpretation of K-Ar illite fine-fraction ages of fault gouges from non-sedimentary host rocks. Ages derived from fault gouges are cross-evaluated with several independent parameters, e.g. illite crystallinity, illite polytype quantification, gran-size, mineralogical observations, K-Ar muscovite and biotite host-rock cooling ages, as well as low-temperature thermochronological data (Apatite Fission Track, Zircon and Apatite (U-Th)/He). This interpretation approach is applied in a regional study to constrain the ”deformation path” of the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas in northwest Argentina. In the course of this study, a large number of gouge-bearing fault zones were analyzed and systematically sampled. The K-Ar illite fine-fraction ages obtained range from Devonian to Cretaceous times, documenting a long-lasting brittle fault activity in this region. Ages >320 Ma are synchronous with a period of wide-spread intra-Carboniferous compressional tectonism, whereas Permo-Triassic ages are contemporaneous to a flat-slab subduction episode of the Farallon plate beneath the South American plate. In addition, K-Ar illite ages reveal a propagation of brittle deformation from north to south in the Sierras de Córdoba and San Luis. Data integrity and consistency with other chronometers and geological evidence show that the interpretation suggested here is valid and can provide a powerful tool for the evaluation of cooling and deformation histories. Despite that, we were able to show that the reliability of fault-gouge data strongly depends on the regional thermal history.
Chapter 7 synthesizes thermochronological data from zircon and apatite (U-Th)/He as well as apatite fission-track dating from samples derived from the entire Sierras Pampeanas. Data reveal that cooling below 200°C commenced locally in Carboniferous times. During Permo-Triassic times, pronounced cooling in the southern Sierras Pampeanas propagated from east to west, being timely and spatially equivalent to a flat-slab subduction period at these latitudes. Mesozoic rifting, accompanied by sedimentation and burial re-heating, only locally affected ages obtained, suggesting that substantial sedimentary thicknesses were only accumulated along the narrow and spatially restricted Cretaceous rift basins. Final cooling in the northern Pampean ranges occurred during the Neogene. In contrasting, cooling to near-surface temperatures occurred in the southern and southwestern Sierras Pampeanas between the Late Cretaceous and the Paleogene, supporting the idea that a positive topography already existed in these areas before the Cenozoic. This contradicts the previous hypothesis that the uplift of the Pampean ranges was entirely related to the Neogene flat-slab subduction. Instead, we suggest that this process merely accentuated a pre-existing relief built up by diachronously developed Mesozoic land surfaces. Calculated long-term denudation rates vary between 0.010 and 0.024 km/Ma, indicating stable conditions since at least Cretaceous times
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
The present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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