Altiplano–Puna volcanic complex

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A satellite photograph of the Central Andes, looking towards Argentina
The APVC lies in the lower part of the image, above the chain of volcanoes at the bottom.

The Altiplano–Puna volcanic complex (Spanish: Complejo volcánico Altiplano-Puna), also known as APVC, is a

Western Cordillera, in the west. It results from the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. Melts caused by subduction have generated the volcanoes of the Andean Volcanic Belt including the APVC. The volcanic province is located between 21° S–24° S latitude. The APVC spans the countries of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.[1]

In the

Uturunku
volcano indicate still-extant present-day activity of the system.

Geography

The

Atacama and the Altiplano. The Toba volcanic system in Indonesia and Taupō in New Zealand are analogous to the province.[4] The APVC is located in the southern Altiplano-Puna plateau, a surface plateau 300 kilometres (190 mi) wide and 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) long at an altitude of 4,000 metres (13,000 ft), and lies 50–150 kilometres (31–93 mi) east of the volcanic front of the Andes.[5] Deformational belts limit it in the east.[6] The Altiplano itself forms a block that has been geologically stable since the Eocene; below the Atacama area conversely recent extensional dynamics and a weakened crust exist.[7] The Puna has a higher average elevation than the Altiplano,[8] and some individual volcanic centres reach altitudes of more than 6,000 metres (20,000 ft).[9] The basement of the northern Puna is of Ordovician to Eocene age.[10]

Geology

A photograph of the Chao lava dome and flows
The lobate flows of the Cerro Chao lava dome

The APVC is generated by the

decompression melting.[6] Between 1:4 to 1:6 of the generated melts are erupted to the surface as ignimbrites.[6]

andesitic (post-Miocene) lavas are found in the southern Altiplano.[6]

Ignimbrites deposited during eruptions of APVC volcanoes are formed by "boiling over" eruptions, where magma chambers containing viscous crystal-rich volatile-poor magmas partially empty in tranquil, non-explosive fashion. As a result, the deposits are massive and homogeneous and show few size segregation or fluidization features. Such eruptions have been argued to require external triggers to occur.[6] There is a volume-dependent relationship between homogeneity of the eruption products and their volume; large volume ignimbrites have uniform mineralogical and compositional heterogeneity. Small volume ignimbrites often show gradation in composition. This pattern has been observed in other volcanic centres such as the Fish Canyon Tuff in the United States and the Toba ignimbrites in Indonesia.[11]

Petrologically, ignimbrites are derived from

orthopyroxene occur in low-Si magmas, while higher Si magmas also contain sanidine. These magmas have temperatures of 700–850 °C (1,292–1,562 °F) and originate in depths of 4–8 kilometres (2.5–5.0 mi).[6] The ignimbrites are collectively referred to as San Bartolo and Silapeti Groups.[7]

Since the Miocene, less silicic magmas containing

monogenetic volcanoes, inclusions in more silicic magmas and lava flows which sometimes occur in isolation and sometimes are linked to stratovolcanoes.[12][13]

Eruptions are affected by the local conditions, resulting in high altitude eruption columns that are sorted by westerly stratospheric winds. Coarse deposits are deposited close to the vents, while fine ash is carried to the Chaco and eastern cordillera. The highest volcanoes in the world are located here, including 6,887 metres (22,595 ft) high Ojos del Salado and 6,723 metres (22,057 ft) high Llullaillaco. Some volcanoes have undergone flank collapses covering as much as 200 square kilometres (77 sq mi).[8] Most calderas are associated with fault systems that may play a role in caldera formation.[14]

Scientific investigation

The area's calderas are poorly understood and some may yet be undiscovered. Some calderas were subject to comprehensive research.

Neodym, lead and boron isotope analysis has been used to determine the origin of eruption products.[16][17]

The dry climate and high altitude of the Atacama Desert has protected the deposits of APVC volcanism from erosion,[7][16] but limited erosion also reduces the exposure of buried layers and structures.[3] Evidence of volcanic activity and cyclic variation has been obtained from remote fallout deposits as well.[18]

Geologic history

The APVC area before the upper Miocene was largely formed from

mya volcanism increased suddenly.[3]

Ignimbrites range in age from 25

dacitic ignimbrites occurred.[19] During this flare-up it erupted primarily dacites with subordinate amounts of rhyolites and andesites.[5] The area was uplifted during the flare-up and the crust thickened to 60–70 kilometres (37–43 mi).[15] This triggered the formation of evaporite basins containing halite, boron and sulfate[16] and may have generated the nitrate deposits of the Atacama Desert.[20] The sudden increase is explained by a sudden steepening of the subducting plate, similar to the Mid-Tertiary ignimbrite flare-up.[8] In the northern Puna, ignimbrite activity began 10 mya, with large-scale activity occurring 5 to 3.8 Ma in the arc front and 8.4 to 6.4 Ma in the back arc. In the southern Puna, backarc activity set in 14–12 Ma and the largest eruptions occurred after 4 Ma.[6] The start of ignimbritic activity is not contemporaneous in the entire APVC area; north of 21°S the Alto de Pica and Oxaya Formations formed 15–17 and 18–23 mya respectively, whereas south of 21°S large scale ignimbrite activity didn't begin until 10.6 mya.[7]

Activity waned after 2

andesitic in nature with large ignimbrites absent.[13] Activity with composition similar to ignimbrites was limited to the eruption of lava domes and flows, interpreted as escaping from a regional sill 1–4 kilometres (0.62–2.49 mi) high at 14–17 kilometres (8.7–10.6 mi) depth.[4][11]

The APVC is still active, with recent unrest and ground inflation detected by

rhyolitic flows and domes.[7] The implications of recent lava domes for future activity in the APVC are controversial,[23] but the presence of mafic components in recently erupted volcanic rocks may indicate that the magma system is being recharged.[12][24]

Extent

The APVC erupted over an area of 70,000 square kilometres (27,000 sq mi)[25] from ten major systems, some active over millions of years and comparable to Yellowstone Caldera and Long Valley Caldera in the United States.[4] The APVC is the largest ignimbrite province of the Neogene[21] with a volume of at least 15,000 cubic kilometres (3,600 cu mi),[25] and the underlying magmatic body is considered to be the largest continental melt zone,[21] forming a batholith.[7] Alternatively, the body revealed by seismic studies is the remnant mush of the magma accumulation zone.[9] Deposits from the volcanoes cover a surface area of more than 500,000 square kilometres (190,000 sq mi).[8] La Pacana is the largest single complex in the APVC with dimensions 100 by 70 square kilometres (39 sq mi × 27 sq mi), including the 65 by 35 kilometres (40 mi × 22 mi) caldera.[7]

Magma generation rates during the pulses are about 0.001 cubic kilometres per year (0.032 m3/s), based on the assumption that for each 50–100 cubic kilometres (12–24 cu mi) of arc there is one caldera. These rates are substantially higher than the average for the Central Volcanic Zone, 0.00015–0.0003 cubic kilometres per year (0.0048–0.0095 m3/s). During the three strong pulses, extrusion was even higher at 0.004–0.012 cubic kilometres per year (0.13–0.38 m3/s). Intrusion rates range from 0.003–0.005 cubic kilometres per year (0.095–0.158 m3/s) and resulted in

plutons of 30,000–50,000 cubic kilometres (7,200–12,000 cu mi) volume beneath the calderas.[9]

Source of magmas

Modelling indicates a system where

andesitic melts coming from the mantle rise through the crust and generate a zone of mafic volcanism.[26][13] Increases in the melt flux and thus heat and volatile input causes partial melting of the crust, forming a layer containing melts reaching down to the Moho that inhibits the ascent of mafic magmas because of its higher buoyancy. Instead, melts generated in this zone eventually reach the surface, generating felsic volcanism. Some mafic magmas escape sideward after stalling in the melt containing zone; these generate more mafic volcanic systems at the edge of the felsic volcanism,[19] such as Cerro Bitiche.[10] The magmas are mixtures of crust derived and mafic mantle-derived melts with a consistent petrological and chemical signature.[21] The melt generation process may involve several different layers in the crust.[27]

Another model requires the intrusion of

dacitic melts that escape upwards. A residual forms composed from garnet pyroxenite at a depth of 50 kilometres (31 mi). This residual is denser than the mantle peridotite and can cause delamination of the lower crust containing the residual.[6]

Between 18 and 12

mya the Puna-Altiplano region was subject to an episode of flat subduction of the Nazca Plate. A steepening of the subduction after 12 mya resulted in the influx of hot asthenosphere.[28] Until that point, differentiation and crystallization of rising mafic magmas had mostly produced andesitic magmas. The change in plate movements and increased melt generation caused an overturn and anatexis of the melt generating zone, forming a density barrier for mafic melts which subsequently ponded below the melt generating zone. Dacitic melts escaped from this zone, forming diapirs and the magma chambers that generated APVC ignimbrite volcanism.[7]

Magma generation in the APVC is periodical, with pulses recognized 10, 8, 6, and 4 mya. The first stage included the Artola, Granada, Lower Rio San Pedro and Mucar ignimbrites. The second pulse involved the Panizos, Sifon and Vilama ignimbrites and the third was the largest, with a number of ignimbrites. The fourth pulse was weaker than the preceding ones and involved the Patao and Talabre ignimbrites among others.[9]

The magmas beneath the APVC are noticeably rich in

large lakes on Earth.[29]

Tomographic studies

attenuate them differently, resulting in different arrival times and strengths of waves travelling in a certain direction. From various measurements 3D models of the geological structures can be inferred. Results of such research indicate that a highly hydrated slab derived from the Nazca Plate – a major source of melts in a collisional volcanism system – underlies the Western Cordillera. Below the Altiplano, low-velocity zones indicate the presence of large amounts of partial melts that correlate with volcanic zones south of 21° S, whereas north of 21° S thicker lithospheric layers may prevent the formation of melts. Next to the Eastern Cordillera, low-velocity zones extend farther north to 18.5° S.[30] A thermally weakened zone, evidenced by strong attenuation, in the crust is associated with the APVC. This indicates the presence of melts in the crust.[31] A layer of low velocity (shear speed of 1 kilometre per second (0.62 mi/s)) 17–19 kilometres (11–12 mi) thick is assumed to host the APVC magma body.[9] This body has a volume of about 480,000–530,000 cubic kilometres (120,000–130,000 cu mi)[32] and a temperature of about 1,000 °C (1,830 °F).[12] Other seismological data indicate a partial delamination of the crust under the Puna, resulting in increased volcanic activity and terrain height.[33]

Subsystems

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Ignimbrites

  • Abra Grande Ignimbrite, 6.8
    mya.[6]
  • Acay Ignimbrite, 25 cubic kilometres (6.0 cu mi) 9.5–9.9 mya.[6]
  • Antofalla Ignimbrite, 11.4–9.6 mya.[6]
  • Arco Jara Ignimbrite, 2 cubic kilometres (0.48 cu mi) 11.3 mya.[6]
  • Artola/Mucar Ignimbrite, 100 cubic kilometres (24 cu mi) 9.4–10.6 mya.[6]
  • Atana Ignimbrite, 1,600 cubic kilometres (380 cu mi)[6] 4.11 mya.[39]
  • Blanco Ignimbrite, 7 cubic kilometres (1.7 cu mi).[6]
  • Caspana Ignimbrite, 8 cubic kilometres (1.9 cu mi) 4.59–4.18 mya.[11]
  • Cerro Blanco Ignimbrite, 150 cubic kilometres (36 cu mi) 0.5–0.2 mya.[6]
  • Cerro Colorado, 9.5–9.8 mya.[6]
  • Cerro Lucho lavas, 1 cubic kilometre (0.24 cu mi) 10.6 mya.[6]
  • Cerro Panizos Ignimbrite, 650 cubic kilometres (160 cu mi) 6.7–6.8 mya.[6]
  • Chuhuilla Ignimbrite, 1,200 cubic kilometres (290 cu mi) 5.45 mya.[3]
  • Cienago Ignimbrite, 7.9 mya.[6]
  • Cueva Negra/Leon Muerto Ignimbrites, 35 cubic kilometres (8.4 cu mi) 3.8–4.25 mya.[6]
  • Cusi Cusi Ignimbrite, >10 mya.[6]
  • Galan Ignimbrite, 550 cubic kilometres (130 cu mi) 2.1 mya.[6]
  • Granada/Orosmayo/Pampa Barreno Ignimbrite, 60 cubic kilometres (14 cu mi) 10-10.5 mya.[6]
  • Grenada Ignimbrite, 9.8 mya.[15]
  • Guacha Ignimbrite, 1,200 cubic kilometres (290 cu mi) 5.6–5.7 mya.[6]
  • Guaitiquina Ignimbrite, 5.07 mya.[6]
  • Laguna Amarga Ignimbrite, 3.7–4.0, 5.0 mya.[6]
  • Laguna Colorada Ignimbrite, 60 cubic kilometres (14 cu mi) 1.98 mya.[3]
  • Laguna Verde Ignimbrite, 70 cubic kilometres (17 cu mi) 3.7–4.0 mya.[6]
  • Las Termas Ignimbrite 1 and 2, 650 cubic kilometres (160 cu mi) 6.45 mya.[6]
  • Los Colorados Ignimbrite, 7.5–7.9 mya.[6]
  • Merihuaca Ignimbrites, 50 cubic kilometres (12 cu mi) 5.49–6.39 mya.[6]
  • Morro I Ignimbrite, 12 mya.[6]
  • Morro II Ignimbrite, 6 mya.[6]
  • Pairique Chico block and ash, 6 cubic kilometres (1.4 cu mi) 10.4 mya.[6]
  • Pampa Chamaca, 100 cubic kilometres (24 cu mi) 2.52 mya.[6]
  • Pitas/Vega Real Grande Ignimbrites, 600 cubic kilometres (140 cu mi) 4.51–4.84 mya.[6]
  • Potrero Grande Ignimbrite, 9.8–9 mya.[6]
  • Potreros Ignimbrite, 6.6 mya.[6]
  • Purico Ignimbrite, 100 cubic kilometres (24 cu mi) 1.3 mya.[6]
  • Puripicar Ignimbrite, 1,500 cubic kilometres (360 cu mi) 4.2 mya.[6]
  • Rachaite volcanic complex, 7.2–8.4 mya.[6]
  • Rosada Ignimbrite, 30 cubic kilometres (7.2 cu mi) 6.3–8.1 mya.[6]
  • Sifon Ignimbrite, 8.3 mya.[6]
  • Tajamar/Chorrillos Ignimbrite, 350 cubic kilometres (84 cu mi) 10.5–10.1 mya.[6]
  • Tamberia Ignimbrite, 10.7–9.5 mya.[6]
  • Tara Ignimbrite, 100 cubic kilometres (24 cu mi) 3.6 mya.[6]
  • Tatio Ignimbrite, 40 cubic kilometres (9.6 cu mi) 0.703 mya.[3]
  • Toba 1 Ignimbrite, 6 cubic kilometres (1.4 cu mi) 7.6 mya.[6]
  • Toconao pumice, 100 cubic kilometres (24 cu mi)[6] 4.65 mya.[39]
  • Vallecito Ignimbrite, 40 cubic kilometres (9.6 cu mi) 3.6 mya.[6]
  • Verde Ignimbrite, 140–300 cubic kilometres (34–72 cu mi) 17.2 mya.[6]
  • Vilama Ignimbrite, 8.4–8.5 mya.[6]
  • Vizcayayoc Ignimbrite, 13 mya.[6]

References

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Bibliography

External links
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