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Geochemical characterization, correlation, and optical dating of tephra in alluvial sequences of central western Argentina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Phillip S. Toms ,
Matthew King ,
Marcelo A. Zárate ,
Rob A. Kemp  and
Franklin F. Foit Jr.
Phillip S. Toms*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
Matthew King
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
Marcelo A. Zárate
Affiliation:
CONICET–Universidad Nacional de la Pampa, 6300 Santa Rosa, Argentina
Rob A. Kemp
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
Franklin F. Foit Jr.
Affiliation:
Geology Department, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Fax: +44-0-1242-543283. E-mail address:ptoms@glos.ac.uk(P.S. Toms).
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Abstract

The synthesis of paleoclimatic archives provided by loess and alluvial sequences of central Argentina has been hindered by the lack of a cohesive lithostratigraphic framework extending across the Chaco–Pampean plains and catchments of the Rios Desaguadero, Colorado, and Negro. This condition originates in part from the dearth of absolute chronological controls. The occurrence of discrete tephra layers across this region may provide an opportunity to address this deficiency if a tephrochronological framework can be established. The potential of such a project is assessed within the context of a pilot study constrained within alluvial sequences of central western Argentina proximal to potential source vents in the Southern Volcanic Zone. The intersite discrimination and correlation of tephra layers on a geochemical basis is examined, with indirect chronological control for the eruption of each generated by optical dating. Alluvial sediments on either side of each of five tephra units at a type site were dated using the optically stimulated luminescence of fine-silt-sized quartz, thus providing an age control on each tephra (ca. 24,000, 30,000, 32,000, 39,000, and 48,000 yr). The geochemical composition of each tephra was derived. Using these data, tephra layers at other sites in the study area were geochemically analyzed and in instances of statistical concordance in major oxide structure, correlated to the type site and therefore ascribed ages. This methodology identified a further sixth volcanic event between ca. 24,000 and 30,000 yr not registered by type-site tephras. The extension of this initial tephrochronological framework beyond the alluvial sequences of central western Argentina is encouraged by the occurrence of geochemically distinct tephra verified and dated in this study.

Keywords

MendozaArgentinaTephrochronologyOptical datingAlluvial sequences
Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 62 , Issue 1 , July 2004 , pp. 60 - 75
Copyright
University of Washington

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Footnotes

1 Present address: Geochronology Laboratories, School of Environment, University of Gloucestershire Swindon Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4AZ, UK.

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