INVESTIGADORES
BAEZ Walter Ariel
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Neogene and recent Volcanism of Southern Puna: a proposal for volcanic geopark.
Autor/es:
EMILCE BUSTOS; BAEZ, WALTER ARIEL; AGOSTINA CHIODI; RAUL BECCHIO; J. G. VIRAMONTE; CASIMIRO SILVIO
Lugar:
Puerto varas
Reunión:
Congreso; Cities on Volcanoes 9; 2016
Institución organizadora:
IAVCEI
Resumen:
SoutherPuna is a natural laboratory of volcanic geodiversity, so the geological heritage of thisarea is mainly represented by volcanic landform. In the vicinity of Antofagasta de la Sierra-El Peñón (Catamarca, Argentina) there are a large number of diverse volcanic centers locatedwithin protected areas and Ramsar Sites, which are proposed as a volcanic geopark. Here, avolcanic tour allows knowing different volcanic landforms, geochemical variety and eruptionstyle diversity. Several young scoria cones and its lava fields associates can be seen from theroad. To the west, the youngest rhyolitic caldera of the Central Andes -Cerro Blanco Calderacanbe visit, together with the andesitic-dacitic stratovolcanoes belonging to La HoyadaComplex (Neogene). Returning to El Peñón, Campo de la PiedraPómez pyroclastic flow isalong the way, which is covered by gravel megaripples. Landform changes generated bywind (yardangs) can be appreciated at Campo de la PiedraPómez. Yardangs and megaripplesare common features on Mars, so this sector is an astronomic natural laboratory too. At theNortheast, a large intermediate caldera named Cerro Galán and its associated ignimbrites arealso part of the proposed tour. This volcanic park offers adventure tourism (trekking,mountain climbing, four wheel drive vehicles) and geoeducational opportunities. Thegeoeducational program has as a primary stage to provide introductory conferences for touroperators and also several workshops for all the community. We had planned together withthe Environment Secretary of Catamarca a set of educational panels located in strategicplaces in order to appreciate the distinctive volcanic views. The advertising of this area as avolcanic geopark may have a significant role in the economic development of the nearbytowns. The planning of educational activities reinforces the synergy among the communities,this research group and the State through the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente.