Descripción: The Arroyo La Chilca-Zanjón del Buitre alteration zone, San Rafael Massif, Mendoza. The Arroyo La Chilca-Zanjón del Buitre alteration zone is located in the San Rafael Massif (35°24'8" S; 68°19'25,8" W), Mendoza. Previous works defined preliminary this deposit as a porphyry copper system genetically linked to the gondwanan magmatism. This alteration zone is hosted by a sequence composed of ignimbritic breccias and ignimbrites of trachyandesitic composition with interbedded tuffaceous sandstones and andesitic lavas flows intruded by trachyandesitic-dacitic and andesitic hypabyssal bodies. The lithology and geochemistry of the volcanic sequence confirm the link with the Choiyoi Magmatic Cycle lower section (Lower Permian). The alteration zone consists of a potassic halo with a parageneses of K-feldspar-quartzmagnetite overprinted by phyllic alteration with an assemblage of quartz-muscovite-pyrite-(rutile) and quartz -pyrite veins. A late carbonatization process overprints both the potassic and phyllic alteration. Outside the alteration zone pyrite-chalcopyrite- galena-sphalerite veins with quartz gangue crop out. Metals geochemistry shows moderate Ag and Au anomalies and little Cu, Mo, Pb and Zn anomalies. Statistical analyses allow defining one Cu-Mo mineralizing stage and another Mo mineralizing stage only recognized in Zanjón del Buitre. Moreover, two Zn mineralizing stages, one of them probably genetically related to the Cu stage, were also recognized.

Descripción: El Infiernillo Mining District is located in the San Rafael Block (34°38'20";68°47'37"), province of Mendoza, Argentina. It is a porphyry Cu (Mo) type deposit which is hosted by a volcaniclastic sequence. It develops an alteration halo with a concentric pattern consisting of a central quartz neck surrounded by a potassic alteration zone and outwards a phyllic halo and small polymetallic veins. The potassic halo has a paragenesis of K-feldspar-quartz-(biotite). Three silicification phases are related to this alteration stage, one of them (with temperature between 550° and 390°C and salinity between 35 and 47 %) genetically linked to the copper mineralization. The phyllic alteration consists of quartz-illite-(rutile) with minor albite. The albitization process points out to an early phase of this phyllic stage. The fluid inclusions together with the textures of the quartz neck suggest the shallowing of the active hydrothermal system. The disseminated ore paragenesis consists of bornite, chalcopyrite-molibdenite, pyrite, (galena-sphalerite). The presence of molibdenite-quartz veins indicate the transition from the potassic to the phyllic stage while the pyrite-quartz ones point out to a transition to a fragile deformation regime during which the polymetallic veins, with a paragenesis of chalcopyrite- sphalerite, pyrite, (Ag) tetrahedrite, galena were formed. The petrologic characteristics of the volcaniclastic host rocks reveal that they correspond to the lower section of Choiyoi magmatic cycle. The magmatic and structural controls constrain the age of this ore deposit to the Early-Middle to Late Permian.

Descripción: The main mineralizations of the Sierra Pintada uranium district, San Rafael Massif, Mendoza, are associated with the Choiyoi volcanic province. In the lower section of this magmatic cycle uranium deposits hosted by epiclastic sandstones are predominant. In the upper section, small vein-type deposits of low economic significance are found instead. During the emplacement of these Permian volcanic and sedimentary sequences two different stress regimes, which conditioned the mineralizing systems, were dominant: transpressional (San Rafael orogenic phase) and transtensional (post-orogenic stage). A strain fabric analyses was performed in an attempt to evaluate the control exerted by the structures in the distribution of the uranium mineralizations during these two stages of deformation. So that, a contribution to a better understanding of the genesis of these deposits will aid to the generation of new exploration guides for uranium in the Choiyoi province. In the case of the deposits related to the lower Choiyoi, three orders of magnitude could be defined for the structural control. The fabric of the structures determining the distribution of these mineralizations reflects the structural grain of the San Rafael orogeny. The deposition of uranium hosted by the upper Choiyoi sequences was directly or indirectly influenced by the structures generated under the post-sanrafaelic stress field.

Descripción: In the right bank of the Arroyo Tapalqué (Salto de Piedra, Olavarría, Buenos Aires province) is a section through fluvial sediments of the Luján Formation (upper and lower members) and aeolian deposits of La Postrera Formation. A geological and geophysical study was carried out to determination the magnetic parameters of the sediments of both formations, in order to evaluate the environmental and climatic conditions at the time of deposition. Levels with high concentrations of ferromagnetic minerals are thought to be related to an increase in capacity of river transport probably due to higher rainfall. By contrast, a particular magnetic behaviour was detected in levels closely associated with pedogenetic processes (Suelo Puesto Callejón Viejo, SPCV, Suelo Puesto Berrondo, SPB and present soils). This behaviour is attributed to the partial dissolution of the ferromagnetic fraction (magnetic/titanomagnetite) and to possible formation of a high c oercitivity magnetic fraction (hematite?) as an associated process. These results are similar to those obtained for paleosols from the Buenos Aires Formation, probably because of parental material common to both. On the basis of present field and laboratory observations, together with previously available information, a detailed correlation is proposed between features observed in this section and palaeoclimatic fluctuations identified for Pleistocene/Holocene.

Descripción: We consider the transverse-momentum (qT) distribution of Drell-Yan lepton pairs produced in hadron collisions. At small values of qT, we resum the logarithmically-enhanced perturbative QCD contributions up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy. At intermediate and large values of qT, we consistently combine resummation with the known next-to-leading order perturbative result. All perturbative terms up to order α S 2 are included in our computation which, after integration over qT, reproduces the known next-to-next-to-leading order result for the Drell-Yan total cross section. We show and discuss the reduction in the scale dependence of the results with respect to lower-order calculations, estimating the corresponding perturbative uncertainty. We present a preliminary comparison with Tevatron Run II data. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Descripción: The Lower Cretaceous of the Neuquén Basin represents one of the most complete series in the Andes of South America. Highly fossiliferous exposures make correlation easy among different localities and allow to perform detailed studies of the fossil content. This paper presents, for the first time, an integrated biostratigraphic zonation for the Agrio Formation in its type section, based on ammonoids, bivalves, nannofossils and palynomorphs. A detailed section from base to top of the Agrio Formation was measured in the Bajada del Agrio region near the junction of Salado and Agrio Rivers in Central Neuquén. Our focus centred on the two marine members. In the field 39 ammonoid levels were identified and 74 samples of black and grey shales were collected to search calcareous nannofossils and palynomorphs. In addition, 41 Steinmanella Crickmay bearing levels and four levels containing Neocomiceramus curacoensis (Weaver) were identified. Four ammonoids zones, eight ammonoids subzones and two bivalve zones were recognized in the Pilmatué Member encompassing the late Valanginian to the early Hauterivian. Four ammonoids zones and two bivalve zones were recognized in the Agua de la Mula Member encompassing the late Hauterivian and reaching the basal Barremian. Another bivalve zone was identified in the Spitidiscus riccardii Zone, but left undefined due to unsolved taxonomy. The analyzed fossil groups have mainly tethyan affinities. Correlations to the European standard zonations are possible due to the presence of some index ammonoids, but also due to some nannofossil bioevents. Palynomorphs resulted not very useful in biostratigraphy. Continental palynomorphs have affinities to Gondwana while marine palynomorphs have clear tethyan affinities. Bivalves have proved locally useful in biostratigraphy, but index species are endemic to the basin and thus difficult to correlate to other regions or continents.

Descripción: Context. Magnetic clouds (MCs) are a subset of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs). One property of MCs is the presence of a magnetic flux rope. Is the difference between ICMEs with and without MCs intrinsic or rather due to an observational bias? Aims. As the spacecraft has no relationship with the MC trajectory, the frequency distribution of MCs versus the spacecraft distance to the MCs' axis is expected to be approximately flat. However, Lepping & Wu (2010, Ann. Geophys., 28, 1539) confirmed that it is a strongly decreasing function of the estimated impact parameter. Is a flux rope more frequently undetected for larger impact parameter? Methods. In order to answer the questions above, we explore the parameter space of flux rope models, especially the aspect ratio, boundary shape, and current distribution. The proposed models are analyzed as MCs by fitting a circular linear force-free field to the magnetic field computed along simulated crossings. Results. We find that the distribution of the twist within the flux rope and the non-detection due to too low field rotation angle or magnitude only weakly affect the expected frequency distribution of MCs versus impact parameter. However, the estimated impact parameter is increasingly biased to lower values as the flux rope cross section is more elongated orthogonally to the crossing trajectory. The observed distribution of MCs is a natural consequence of a flux rope cross section flattened on average by a factor 2 to 3 depending on the magnetic twist profile. However, the faster MCs at 1 AU, with V > 550 km s-1, present an almost uniform distribution of MCs vs. impact parameter, which is consistent with round-shaped flux ropes, in contrast with the slower ones. Conclusions. We conclude that the sampling of MCs at various distances from the axis does not significantly affect their detection. The large part of ICMEs without MCs could be due to a too strict criteria for MCs or to the fact that these ICMEs are encountered outside their flux rope or near the leg region, or they do not contain a flux rope. © 2013 ESO.

Descripción: During the Early Permian an extensive deformation belt well-known as Gondwánides developed in the southwest Gondwana margin. A foreland basin has been settled during the Late Carboniferous - Early Permian in the western end of this strip, and is represented by the El Imperial Formation, which crops out in the San Rafael Block. The upper section of this unit records an inversion of the ancient slopes, which has been interpreted as the first evidence of the migration of the orogenic front towards the foreland. Therefore, a paleomagnetic study has been carried out on this unit, searching for elements that allow to constraint the deformation age to evaluate the possible diachronism of it. First paleomagnetic results obtained in EI Imperial Formation, from the lower member in the Represa Agua del Toro and from the upper member in the Puesto La Josefa, are presented and discussed. These rocks have reverse magnetizations carried by hematite, of possible Permian age. Pole positions are discordant with the apparent polar wander path from South America. These differences could be explained because: secular variation was not properly averaged; rotations about vertical axes of the sampling localities; or the combination of these factors. © 2006 Asociación Geológica Argentina.

Descripción: The lower section of Canadon Asfalto Formation (Callovian-Oxfordian) is located at Las Chacritas, Cerro Condor area, on the middle course of Chubut River. It is represented by lacustrine carbonate faciès with interbedded volcanic layers accumulated in the rift system of the Somuncura-Canadon Asfalto Basin. Eight microfacies (MF), defining the lake environments, and three biohermal faciès (MFB) corresponding to an extensive microbialitic belt overlying eulittoral sediments have been recognized: The microfacies are: MF1, mudstone with microbial lamination, related to supralittoral shallow ponds; MF2, biohermal intraclastic floatstone linked to storm episodes; culminating with evaporitic levels; MF3, mudstone with evidence of dessication formed in stagnant water; MF4, microbial-peloidal mudstone/wackestone with evidence of sporadic wave currents, in a eulittoral environment; MF5, intraclastic grainstone/rudstone with pedogenic alterations showing evidence of wave action in a eulittoral area; MF6, oncoidal floatstone interpreted as an hiperconcentrated flow; MF7: Bio-intra-siliciclastic packstone/wackestone accumulated in infralittoral conditions and MF8, silicified bulbous stromatolites related to the outlet of fluvial channels. The biohermal faciès are: MFB9, mudstone with stromatolites and wackestone levels; MFB10, planar stromatolites and MFB11, hemispherical stromatolites with chalk crust. Behind the biohermal belt, palustrine limestones locally show layers with episodic storm floods. The microfacial and facial distribution represents expansion and contraction cycles of a closed lake, controlled mainly by the precipitations. ©1999 Asociacián Gcológica Argentina.

Descripción: The nanoflora and microfauna from the Agrio Formation are analyzed in three different areas of the Neuquén Basin to establish its age and paleonvironmental variations. In the northern area of the basin, the oldest Agrio Fomation sedimentites are recognized and assigned to the Lower Valanginian through ammonites. A monospecific Epistomina loncochensis Ballent microfauna is recovered from these levels, which indicates disoxic environments. Up to the top of the section, siltstones contain a diverse foraminifera microfauna of normal shelves, which are replaced by an impoverished fauna related to shallowing processes. The age defined by calcareous nannofossils is Late Valanginian-Late Hauterivian. In the central and southern position of the Neuquén Basin, the nannofossil assemblages indicate the Upper Valanginian-Upper Hauterivian for the Agrio Formation. The benthic microfauna suggests frequent eustatic variations ranging from shelves to shallow marine environments. In the austral sector of the basin, a poorly diversified foraminiferal assemblage is recorded and a high ostracods/foraminifera ratio indicates a restricted marine environment, and normal salinity. The presence of a level with abundant attached foraminifera indicates high energy episodes. The high diversified Platycopida ostracods suggest warm-temperate to subtropical waters.

Descripción: A composite section, 1400 m thick, is established for the Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene strata in the fold and thrust belt of the Andes Fueguinos, south of 54° 30′S. The basal Policarpo Formation, > 350 m thick, consists of tuffaceous sandstones and bioturbated sandstones and siltstones. The ammonites Maorites densicostatus and Diplomoceras sp.; foraminifera common to the Gaudryina healyi Zone; and the dynocysts Manumiella seelandica and Operculodium cf. azcaratei indicate a Maastrichtian age. The Paleocene to lower Eocene include four new formations. The Cabo Leticia Formation, c.150 m, Paleocene, consists of gravity flows deposits: brecchias; conglomerates; and massive, tuffaceous sandstones. La Barca Formation, c. 220 m, includes two members: LB1, tuffaceous sandstones and intercalated carbonaceous siltstones; and LB2, black mudstones with Palaeocystodinium golzowense and Spiroplectammina spectabilis. P. golzowense and the Bulimina karpatica Assemblage in LB1 indicate a late Paleocene age. Punta Noguera Formation, 380 m, is dominated by glauconite rich, massive, tuffaceous sandstones with interbedded turbidite packages. The dynocyst group Apectodinium, Deflandrea robusta, Palaeocystodinium sp., and Odontodinium askinae; the foraminifera Alabamina creta, Charltonina acutimarginata, Valvulineria teurensis and the first ocurrence of Elphidium and Cribrorotalia suggest an age near the Paleocene/Eocene boundary. The Cerro Ruperto Formation, 200 m, is dominated by glauconite rich, silty very fine sandstones and siltstones; dominance of Deflandrea dartmooria indicate an early Eocene age. Resting on angular unconformity, the Río Bueno Formation, c. 60-80 m, consists of carbonate rocks; its member RB1, rhythmically bedded grainstones, with the planktic foraminifera Planorotalites australiformis and Subbotina linaperta is of early middle Eocene age; and its member RB2, regular alternation of grainstones and bioturbated marls and micrites, with Elphidium saginatum and Bulimina cf. bortonica, is assigned to the mid middle Eocene. The sedimentary and stratigraphic features of the Maastrichtian/Eocene have a strong tectonic control, suggesting that the foreland phase of evolution of the basin has been active at least since the Maastrichtian.

Descripción: The Cerro Cóndor depocenter represents the most complete stratigraphic sequence of the continental Jurassic of the Cañadón Asfalto basin and southern South America. It is situated in extraandean Patagonia, on both sides of the middle Chubut river valley. The sedimentation in this pull-apart basin begins early in the Middle Jurassic, accompanied by effusions of olivinic basalts. The prevailing lacustrine deposits are characterized by carbonatic and siliciclastic facies associations, interfingering with volcanic deposits grading from lavic in the base to predominantly pyroclastic towards the top. The facies evolution from north to south is described, embracing the sections of farm El Torito and the canyons of Los Loros, Las Chacritas, Carrizal, Asfalto and Lahuincó. The carbonatic facies/microfacies are represented by mudstones, wackestones, packstones, grainstones and microbialitic limestones, characteristic of littoral/marginal and palustrine environments. In the Cañadón Asfalto Formation are distinguished a lower member (Las Chacritas composed by limestones, shales, sandstones and conglomerates intercalated with olivinic basalts, and an upper member (Puesto Almada) composed by tuffs, tuffites, shales and sandstones. The first is bearing a palynologic assemblage of Bajocian-Bathonian age and the second dinosaurs of Tithonian age. The stratigraphic sections of both members of the formation are described and illustrated at their type localities cañadón Las Chacritas and farm El Torito and the paleoenvironments of the depocenter, from the Aalenian to the Tithonian are described and illustrated. The age of the Puesto Almada Member at its type locality was obtained by radiometric dating (K/Ar) of biotites from a thin layer of volcanic tuff (147.1 + 3.3 Ma, Tithonian) from the upper part of the unit.

Descripción: The Payenia basaltic province is a typical retroarc association developed along the foothills of the Andes between 33°40 ́S and 38°00'S. It records two main events, an older, mostly Miocene one (26 to 8 Ma) and a younger Pliocene to Holocene one (younger than 5 Ma). It covers an N-S lowland belt named here the central depression. To the North of 36°20'S, the region was described as Los Huarpes depression, a partially deformed sedimentary basin characterized by a 1000 m-thick, undifferentiated Cenozoic sequence. To the south, Upper Cretaceous to Lower Paleogene layers, instead of the undifferentiated Cenozoic deposits, are covered by basalts. The volcanism additionally covers the western side of the San Rafael Block as well as the fold and thrust belt of the Andean foothills. The Payenia province consists of more than 800 monogenetic basaltic cones, and scarce polygenetic volcanos fed by shallow magmatic chambers. Among the latter, the following examples can be mentioned: Miocene Chachahuén volcano (7 to 5 Ma), composed of andesites, rhyodacites and basalts with high-K and amphibole; Pliocene El Nevado volcano, with calc-alkaline, basaltic trachyandesites, trachytes, dacites and rhyolites; and Upper Pleistocene to Holocene Payún Matrú volcano, composed of trachytes, trachyandesites and trachybasalts. The southernmost area of the central depression is covered by the Pleistocene, Auca Mahuida basaltic shield (1.7 to 0.88 Ma), consisting of trachybasalts, basaltic trachyandesites and trachyandesites. This shield is aligned with Tromen and Domuyo volcanos, defining an NW-SE volcanic belt, oblique to the Andes, whose southern tip corresponds to the Cortaderas lineament. Some of the monogenetic cones are of hydromagmatic origin, whereas a few others exhibit small mantle inclusions. The Payenia retroarc province develops to the south of the Pampean flat slab segment, where the heights of the Andes are smaller. This height difference might have been caused by a higher thermal gradient that softened the crust in the steeper subduction segment, while the colder lithosphere in the flat slab segment allowed greater crustal thickening and height. From the tectonic point of view the height difference has been attributed to a smaller orogenic contraction in the southern segment. Holocene volcanism appears exclusively at Payun Matru volcano. The associated thermal anomaly may explain the segmentation of the central depression, separating the Cenozoic Los Huarpes basin in the north and the section without coeval sedimentation in the south. The only surface evidence of this segmentation is the E-W, La Carbonilla fault, running both sides of the Payun Matru volcano. Other authors have explained this thermal anomaly as a process of crustal thinning and stretching associated with hot injection from the asthenosphere.