Augusto E. Rapalini

Application of magnetic fabrics to the emplacement and tectonic history of Devonian granitoids in central Argentina

Abstract Regional considerations on the tectonic regime during the emplacement of the Early Devonian magmatic units in the Sierra de San Luis are inferred from combined field, petrographic and AMS observations. Devonian granitoids of the Sierra de San Luis, in central Argentina, constitute elliptical composite batholiths and make up the most voluminous magmatism that appears in the Sierra. Detailed fabric studies have been carried out on the La Totora batholith (33°09′S, 65°42′W), which complement previous studies on two of the largest plutons in the Sierra de San Luis: The Renca and Las Chacras-Potrerillos batholiths. The studies comprised systematic field surveys, petrographic observations and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements. Microstructural studies indicate that the batholith rocks are mainly characterized by magmatic microstructures with limited sub-magmatic to high-temperature solid-state deformation. All three batholiths possess concentric foliation patterns. The average magnetic foliation patterns in the studied plutons agree well with the macroscopic fabrics measured in the field indicating that the AMS-data can be used to study the orientation of fabric elements. Bulk susceptibility indicates a predominance of ferromagnetic contributions, although some paramagnetic sub-units are also present. Most foliations and lineations reflect magmatic flow and their attitude is linked to the interference between regional deformation and batholith inflation, i.e. fabrics may be due to regional strain in combination with the internal dynamics of the magma bodies. Rock fabrics are mainly described by oblate magmetic fabric ellipsoids. Magnetic lineations generally show a NNE-SSW trend that is interpreted to be controlled by the opening transtensional pull-apart structures during batholith inflation. It turns out that the Devonian batholiths intruded the basement syn-kinematically with respect to the Achalian deformational cycle.

Chapter 52 The Playa Hermosa Formation, Playa Verde Basin, Uruguay

Abstract The Playa Hermosa Formation (Fm.) (Playa Verde Basin) is a volcano-sedimentary unit that crops out in the extreme south of the Dom Feliciano Belt in Uruguay. This formation has traditionally been interpreted as non-glacial in origin, but recently it has been suggested that the lower part at least may be glacially influenced. The stratigraphic position of the Playa Hermosa Fm. and its correlation with other Neoproterozoic units of Uruguay, Argentina and southern Brazil remains in dispute. An age of c. 580 Ma is indicated by a hornblende 39Ar/40Ar age on magmatism regarded as coeval with syn-sedimentary volcanism. Preliminary palaeomagnetic data suggest a primary remanence and a mean geomagnetic pole consistent with the proposed apparent polar wander path for the Río de La Plata craton. In combination, these data suggest mid-Ediacaran glacial sedimentation in low to intermediate latitudes on the Río de la Plata craton. However, this conclusion needs to be reinforced by more thorough studies of the age and origin of the Playa Hermosa Fm.