Circular Structures of Bajada del Diablo (Argentina): Geophysical signatures

CLAUDIA PREZZI; MARÍA JULIA ORGEIRA; MARTÍNEZ, OSCAR; ACEVEDO, ROGELIO; PONCE, FEDERICO; GOLDMANN, GASTÓN; MAGNERES, IGNACIO; RABASSA, JORGE

GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016 vol. 205 p. 876 - 899

0956-540X

Bajada del Diablo is located in the Northern Patagonian Massif, Chubut, Argentina. The study area includes at least 66 circular structures found in Miocene olivine basalts of the Quiñelaf Eruptive Complex and in the Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene Pampa Sastre conglomerates. An impact origin has been proposed for these circular structures. With the aim of further investigate the proposed impact origin, topographic, gravimetric, magnetic, resistivity, paleomagnetic and electromagnetic surveys in two circular structures ("8" and "G") located in Pampa Sastre conglomerates and in basalts of the Quiñelaf Eruptive Complex were carried out. The new geophysical results support the hypothesis of an impact origin. However, the confirmation of such an origin through the findings of shock metamorphism evidences and/or the recovery of meteorites remains elusive.