José M. Cortés

Neotectonic transpressive zones in the Precordillera Sur, Central Andes of Argentina: a structural and geophysical investigation

Fil: Terrizzano, Carla Marina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Geologia. Laboratorio de Neotectonica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina

The geometry of the active strike-slip El Tigre Fault, Precordillera of San Juan, Central–Western Argentina: integrating resistivity surveys with structural and geomorphological data

The geometry and related geomorphological features of the right-lateral strike-slip El Tigre Fault, one of the main morphostructural discontinuities in the Central–Western Precordillera of Argentina, were investigated. Achievements of this survey include: recognition of structural and geometrical discontinuities along the fault trace, identification and classification of landforms associated with local transpressional and transtensional sectors, observation of significant changes in the fault strike and detection of right and left bends of different wavelength. In the Central Segment of the El Tigre Fault, 2D electrical resistivity tomography surveys were carried out across the fault zone. The resistivity imaging permitted to infer the orientation of the main fault surface, the presence of blind fault branches along the fault zone, tectonic tilting of the Quaternary sedimentary cover, subsurface structure of pressure ridges and depth to the water table. Based on this information, it is possible to characterize the El Tigre Fault also as an important hydro-geological barrier. Our survey shows that the main fault surface changes along different segments from a high-angle to a subvertical setting whilst the vertical-slip component is either reverse or normal, depending on the local transpressive or transtensive regime induced by major bends along the trace. These local variations are expressed as sections of a few kilometres in length with relatively homogeneous behaviour and frequently separated by oblique or transversal structures.

Quaternary tectonics along oblique deformation zones in the Central Andean retro-wedge between 31°30′S and 35°S

Abstract The distribution of the Quaternary deformation in the outer retro-wedge of the Andes (31°30′–35°S) is controlled by the subduction geometry, the position of the structural front, and the location of oblique pre-Cenozoic mechanical anisotropies. In the Southern Precordillera, Quaternary structures tend to group along the Barreal–Las Peñas deformation zone with a NW to NNW trend. This Cenozoic belt (31°30′–32°40′S) developed on the northern segment of the Triassic Cuyo Basin and broadened laterally during the Quaternary. New radiocarbon ages on dam deposits confirm Holocene tectonic activity on the northwestern edge. The oldest ages of dam deposits are 5810±90 a BP (Cabeceras Creek) and 810±50 a BP (Dolores Creek). Palaeoseismological and seismic data suggest active tectonic growth on the NW and SE extremes. Quaternary tectonics has contributed to modifying the relief along this oblique belt. This contribution is evident from the tectonic uplift of blocks (minimum 90–120 m in the Barreal block), the initial development of intermontane basins (Pampa de los Burros Basin), the Quaternary rejuvenation of tectonic depressions (at least 32–37 m of tectonic subsidence in the Vizcacheras half-graben) and the incipient development of low-relief morphotectonic units by soft-linkage of Quaternary structures.