Payenia Quaternary flood basalts (Southern Mendoza, Argentina): Geophysical constraints on their volume.

SPAGNUOLO MAURO; ORTS DARIO; GIMENEZ MARIO; ANDRÉS FOLGUERA A,

geoscience frontiers

Universidad de Beijing

Año: 2015 vol. 1 p. 1 - 17

1674-9871

The Quaternary volcanic province of Payenia is located in southern Mendoza28 and northern Neuquén provinces of Argentina and is characterized by a dominant29 basaltic composition. The volcanic province covers an area larger than 40,000 km2 and30 its origin and evolution has been the center of several studies. In this study we analyzedgravity data together with more accurate volcanic volumes calculations 31 in order to32 investigate the subsurface structure of the Payenia volcanic province. The volume of33 material was calculated using digital elevation models and geographic information34 system (GIS) techniques to estimate the volume of material erupted and then, with35 those values, make an estimation of the intrusive material that could be located within36 the crust. The results of the calculations were compared with different 2D-sections37 constructed to model the gravity data and compare with the observed satellite gravity.38 After evaluating different models which have been generated to match both: the39 observed gravity data and the subsurface material calculated, we discuss those that40 best fit with observation. The results clearly indicate that the lithosphere is attenuated41 below the region.