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A re-appraisal of the stratigraphy and volcanology of the Cerro Galán volcanic system, NW Argentina

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Abstract

From detailed fieldwork and biotite 40Ar/39Ar dating correlated with paleomagnetic analyses of lithic clasts, we present a revision of the stratigraphy, areal extent and volume estimates of ignimbrites in the Cerro Galán volcanic complex. We find evidence for nine distinct outflow ignimbrites, including two newly identified ignimbrites in the Toconquis Group (the Pitas and Vega Ignimbrites). Toconquis Group Ignimbrites (~5.60–4.51 Ma biotite ages) have been discovered to the southwest and north of the caldera, increasing their spatial extents from previous estimates. Previously thought to be contemporaneous, we distinguish the Real Grande Ignimbrite (4.68 ± 0.07 Ma biotite age) from the Cueva Negra Ignimbrite (3.77 ± 0.08 Ma biotite age). The form and collapse processes of the Cerro Galán caldera are also reassessed. Based on re-interpretation of the margins of the caldera, we find evidence for a fault-bounded trapdoor collapse hinged along a regional N-S fault on the eastern side of the caldera and accommodated on a N-S fault on the western caldera margin. The collapsed area defines a roughly isosceles trapezoid shape elongated E-W and with maximum dimensions 27 × 16 km. The Cerro Galán Ignimbrite (CGI; 2.08 ± 0.02 Ma sanidine age) outflow sheet extends to 40 km in all directions from the inferred structural margins, with a maximum runout distance of ~80 km to the north of the caldera. New deposit volume estimates confirm an increase in eruptive volume through time, wherein the Toconquis Group Ignimbrites increase in volume from the ~10 km3 Lower Merihuaca Ignimbrite to a maximum of ~390 km3 (Dense Rock Equivalent; DRE) with the Real Grande Ignimbrite. The climactic CGI has a revised volume of ~630 km3 (DRE), approximately two thirds of the commonly quoted value.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery Program Grant DP0663560 to the research team led by R. Cas. We thank Monash University, Oregon State University, Universita di Roma Tre and Salta University for access to the various facilities required to undertake this research. J.G. Viramonte wishes to thank Agencia de Promoción Científica y Tecnologica, MINCyT, Argentina, Grant PICT BID-1728 OC/AR 38131. Journal reviews from Steve Sparks, Michael Ort and William McIntosh and suggestions from the editors for this special issue helped to improve this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geosciences, Monash University, Building 28, Victoria, 3800, Australia

    Chris B. Folkes, Heather M. Wright & Raymond A. F. Cas

  2. US Geological Survey MS 910, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA

    Heather M. Wright

  3. Department of Geosciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Shanaka L. de Silva

  4. Universitá Roma Tre, Largo S. Leonardo Murialdo, 1-00146, Roma, Italy

    Chiara Lesti

  5. Univesidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto GEONORTE and CONICET, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta, 4400, Argentina

    Jose G. Viramonte

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  1. Chris B. Folkes
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  3. Raymond A. F. Cas
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  4. Shanaka L. de Silva
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Correspondence to Chris B. Folkes.

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Editorial responsibility: K. Cashman

This paper constitutes part of a special issue: Cas RAF, Cashman K (eds) The Cerro Galan Ignimbrite and Caldera: characteristics and origins of a very large volume ignimbrite and its magma system.

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Folkes, C.B., Wright, H.M., Cas, R.A.F. et al. A re-appraisal of the stratigraphy and volcanology of the Cerro Galán volcanic system, NW Argentina. Bull Volcanol 73, 1427–1454 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-011-0459-y

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