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Palaeoenvironment reconstruction, volcanic evolution and geochronology of the Cerro Blanco subcomplex, Nevados de Chillán volcanic complex, central Chile

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Abstract

Nevados de Chillán Volcanic Complex, central Chile, has been active for at least 640 ka—a period spanning a number of glacial and interglacial periods. Geologic mapping, radiometric dating and geochemical analysis have identified six new volcanic units and produced four new 40Ar/39Ar ages for Cerro Blanco, the northern subcomplex of Nevados de Chillán volcano. Compositions range from dacite to basaltic-andesite and a new geologic map is presented. Examination of lava fracture structures on both newly mapped lavas and those mapped during previous studies has enabled interpretations of former eruptive environments. Palaeoenvironment reconstructions, combined with 40Ar/39Ar ages and comparison with the marine oxygen isotope record, show that at least three phases of volcanic activity have occurred during the evolution of Cerro Blanco: (1) a constructive, pre-caldera collapse period; (2) a period of caldera formation and collapse; and (3) a constructive period of dome growth forming the modern day volcanic centre. This style of volcanic evolution, whereby large-scale caldera collapse is followed by growth of a new stratocone is common at Andean volcanoes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Hugh Tuffen and Mike James for their valuable contributions in the field, along with Holly Frey and Charles Stern for their thorough reviews, all of which have considerably improved this manuscript. KM was funded by a NERC Studentship; JSG acknowledges receipt of a 2001 Lancaster University Small Grant; DM received support from the OU Science Staff Tutor research fund; and JAN would like to thank Sernageomin’s PRV and Fondecyt Project No. 1960186.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lancaster Environment Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK

    Katy Mee & Jennie S. Gilbert

  2. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK

    David W. McGarvie

  3. Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Avenida Santa María 0104, Providencia, Santiago, Chile

    José A. Naranjo

  4. Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139-4307, USA

    Malcolm S. Pringle

  5. British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, UK, NG12 5GG

    Katy Mee

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  1. Katy Mee
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  2. Jennie S. Gilbert
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  3. David W. McGarvie
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  4. José A. Naranjo
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  5. Malcolm S. Pringle
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Correspondence to Katy Mee.

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Editorial responsibility: H. Delgado Granados.

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Mee, K., Gilbert, J.S., McGarvie, D.W. et al. Palaeoenvironment reconstruction, volcanic evolution and geochronology of the Cerro Blanco subcomplex, Nevados de Chillán volcanic complex, central Chile. Bull Volcanol 71, 933–952 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-009-0277-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-009-0277-7

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