Quaternary deformation in the piedmont of Mendoza

EULLIADES P.; MOREIRAS S.M.; LENZANO, L.; TOURAL DAPOZA R.

Workshop; FAULT 2H. V Workshop; 2020

At 32o 50' S, the Andean active orogenic front is located in the Precordillera foothill, very close to Mendoza city, concentrating the largest Quaternary deformation of Argentina. Particularly, neotectonic studies related to the intra-plate seismicity are fundamental for this region associated with the Pampean Flat Slab segment, the subduction of Juan Fernandez Ridge, a volcanism absence, and the particular morphostructural style of Precordillera (Southern Precordillera) that culminates at this latitude (32o 50' S). Besides, a change in the deformation style of Quaternary structures was determined at this latitude. Folds limited by active faults and N-S inverse faults offsetting Late Pleistocene alluvial levels predominate. Some OSL datings on dammed sag ponds allow establishing a Late Pleistocene activity of main faults of these regions. The possible maximum earthquake magnitude established for these structures was ~Ms=6.4 based on morphometric parameters of these faults. Likewise, the highlighted greatest deformation area estimated by morphometric indices resulted in the southern portion of this area. This markedly deformed zone was validated independently by interferometry (DINSAR technique). back to programme