Field Training Course and Workshop of the Sam-GeoQuat Group
"From the Pampean Ranges to the North Pampa: Tectonic and climatic forcing
on the Late Quaternary landscape evolution of Central Argentina”
(INQUA Focus Group on Quaternary Geology of South America) - TERPRO
Commission of INQUA
Central Argentina, 14-18 October 2013
First Circular
The Field Course is open to young researchers from South American
countries (PhD students & Post-Docs). Fieldwork activities will include a 5
days intensive trip along four Argentine provinces (San Luis, Córdoba, Santa Fe
and Entre Ríos), from the Eastern Pampean Ranges through the North Pampa Plain
to the Parana Fluvial Belt. The trip will follow a ca. 1,100 km geological
transect that allow discuss in situ outcropping Quaternary sequences and
landforms.
The Workshop of the Sam-GeoQuat Group will be held in Miramar
city (Cordoba province), on the afternoon of 16 October, 2013. The indoor
program will consist of invited plenary lectures (members of the Group), talks
by participants and roundtable discussions.
Sponsored mainly by:The
International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) http://www.terpro.org.ar/quaternary_geology.htm
Organizing committee:
The Field Course will be coordinated by experienced workers in the region,
who are active participants of the SAm-GeoQuat Group:
Dr. Daniela Kröhling (CONICET &
Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe. ARGENTINA)
Dr. Carlos Costa (Universidad
Nacional de San Luis, San Luis. ARGENTINA)
Dr. Claudio Carignano
(Universidad
Nacional de Córdoba & CONICET, Córdoba. ARGENTINA)
Dr. Eduardo Piovano (CICTERRA-CONICET,
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba. ARGENTINA)
Dr.
Ernesto Brunetto (CICyTTP-CONICET,
Diamante, Entre Ríos. ARGENTINA)
Dr. Francisco Córdoba
(CICTERRA-CONICET,
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba. ARGENTINA)
Geological setting
The area comprises a key region of the extra-Andean South America (SA).
There, Quaternary deformation is the result of ongoing flat-slab subduction of
the Nazca Plate beneath the SA Plate, which gives rise to a compressive setting
for almost all the Quaternary structures known. The subduction geometry led to
the involvement of the broken foreland adjacent to the Andean orogen in the
Neogene deformation in certain latitudinal segments, as in the central-western
Argentina, represented by the Pampean Ranges. This gave rise to
different interactions between internal and external processes. The Sierras
Pampeanas are basement blocks that have been uplifted and tilted during the
Neogene. These blocks are bounded by west-verging reverse faults. Such marginal
faults are usually located at the western hillslope and constitute the Neogene
uplifted front of the ranges, where Quaternary deformation is concentrated. In
general, block uplift has resulted in a gentle tilting to the east and
formation of a classic asymmetrical topographic profile transverse to their N-S
elongation, highlighted by the remnants of an erosional paleosurface. Recent
studies have suggested that prehistoric earthquakes (Late Pleistocene-Holocene)
related to these faults, which typically have long-term recurrence intervals,
have been larger than once thought (Costa et al., 2006, and cites herein). In
the first part of the trip, trenches performed in the western front of the Sierras
de Comechingones reveal extensive Holocene reverse faulting. They are well
suited for discussing the interactive nature of different processes and
problems related to a Quaternary tectonic landscape. Morphotectonic
characteristics of a 1st order range front will be discussed there. The history of planation
surfaces of the Pampean Ranges will be presented in selected sites across the
Altas Cumbres of the Sierra de Córdoba, including recent chronological data.
Late Quaternary outcropping sequences of the piedmont area will be discussed
(alluvial-aeolian sequences).
At the distal part of the foreland basin, expressions of the landscape
of the Pampa plain can be analyzed from the point of view of the
neotectonic activity and the dominant surficial processes. A representative
area of the intraplate region, evidenced by the presence of regional N- S
tectonic lineaments, will be crossed. Structural analyses and the
identification of geomorphologic units and topographic features along the trip
will allow describe the morphostructural domains of a key area of North Pampa
(see the map below). The main components of the Late Quaternary in the plain
are: alluvial megafans, loess-paleosol sequences, dune fields, wetlands and
lacustrine sequences.
The Quaternary tectonic depression occupied by the Mar Chiquita lake and
large shallow lakes aligned in the distal area of the Dulce alluvial fan will
be visited. The surface information, also with that obtained by means the
interpretation of data from research sedimentary cores, as well as geophysical
data, will be discussed in the field. Key limnogeological advances on the Mar
Chiquita (the largest lake in Argentina) will be presented. Paleolimnological
records indicated that the 20th century hydrological variability was
highlighted and amplified by distinctive fluctuations of lake levels, river discharges
and surfaces of flooded low plains across the Pampas. Taken account that lake
records can provide unique archives of both earthquakes and volcanic activity,
the interaction between tectonics and limnogeology could be important there.
The outcropping Late Quaternary pedosedimentary sequences of the southern
margins of the lake will be discussed. The last part of the excursion will be
dedicated to the analyses of the neotectonic influence on a representative
sector of the plain. Lateral variations between wetlands facies and typical loess
deposits mark discontinuities which are correlated with the linear features and
drainage disruptions observed in the flat landscape of Pampa. New
geomorphological and sequential stratigraphical data of the Salado del Norte
River valley will be presented. Finally, stops on the left elevated margin of
the great fluvial valley of the middle Paraná River (the second river in
the continent) and its complex Holocene delta will permit discuss
neotectonics, sea level changes and climatic driven processes on the Late
Quaternary environmental evolution of the region.
Targets and aims of the Field Course:
This field course provides training in geological field observation. The
main task will be to stimulate multidisciplinary field discussions and to
encompass all the different disciplines supplying data to the Quaternary
research, the adaptation of common criteria for the use of all the information
on the analyses of the landscape evolution and the application of new laboratory
techniques. As the group is travelling, a series of evening talks will take
place.
Objectives:
(1) To bring together experts, PhD students, postdoctoral research
fellows and young researchers from South America, thereby facilitating research
training at the PhD level and to offer the opportunity for field
demonstrations.
(2) To enhance and to extend the integrated analysis of the role of the
tectonics and the climatic changes on the landscape evolution of the region,
especially for the target time spanning the last interglacial-glacial cycle. It
will consider the Late Quaternary sedimentary archives in broader analysis of
climate variability (geological proxy records).
(3) To provide a methodological guide to reconstruct some specific
terrestrial processes mainly from the resulting interdisciplinary discussions
in situ.
(4) To bring field active specialists together and interested in the
Quaternary period and to allow young researchers with different backgrounds to
meet (especially in the field), to interact and exchange data and
interpretations and also discuss common and new methodological approaches for
studying geological processes along a particular tectonic setting to advance on
the stratigraphical (sequence stratigraphy and event stratigraphy),
geomorphological, sedimentological, geochronological and paleoenvironmental
assessment.
(5) To discuss and interlink fluvial, deltaic, lacustrine, colluvial,
aeolian and pedological records of the region, because of their value in
registering comparatively rapid response to tectonic and climate influences.
(6) To discuss dating techniques- numerical methods (radiocarbon, exposure
dating with cosmogenic nuclides, OSL) and accessibility to international
laboratories.
Some questions to discuss in the Field Course: Can we read the record of past tectonic and climatic
events in the Late Quaternary landscape of the region? Can we interpret
landforms or sedimentary sequences of such zones in terms of tectonic or
climatic forcing? How much coupled are the landscape and stratigraphic
responses to the Quaternary tectonic and climatic events? How far can we afford
to distinguish between them or to favor any dominance?
Preliminary schedule of the Field Course:
Beginning of the excursion: 14 October (8:00 hs.), from Villa de Merlo
(San Luis province).
DAY 1, 14 October: Western front of the Sierras de Comechingones
revealing extensive reverse faulting and planation surfaces (Pampean Ranges)
-San Luis and Córdoba provinces-
Stop 1: Trench performed in Merlo. Stop 2: Trench performed in Nono.
Crossing of the Altas Cumbres (M.Clavero-Carlos Paz): planation surfaces
(explanations on the bus and intermediate stops). Stop 3: Villa Carlos Paz
section of the fault systems of the Sierras Chicas de Cordoba.
Overnight: Ciudad de
Villa Carlos Paz.
DAY 2, 15 October: Eastern piedmont of the Pampean Ranges (Sierras de
Córdoba) and tectonic depression of Mar Chiquita –Córdoba province-
Stop 4: Carnero River Profiles. Stop 5: Campo de Mare (field dunes of
the SW coast of the Mar Chiquita lake). Stop 6: Profiles of the Laguna del
Plata (SW coast of the Mar Chiquita Lake).
Overnight: Ciudad de Miramar.
DAY 3, 16 October: Tectonic depression of Mar Chiquita-Córdoba province-
Stop 7: Mar Chiquita lake and profiles of the S coast of the lake. Stop
8: J. Cortes. Profiles of the sunken block of the Tostado Selva fault. Stop 9:
Segundo River profile.
WORKSHOP OF THE
TERPRO-INQUA Sam-GeoQuat GROUP -CENTRO DE INTERPRETACIÓN DE LA RESERVA
MIRAMAR-
Overnight: Ciudad de
Miramar.
DAY 4, 17 October:
North Pampa -Tostado Selva fault scarp, San Guillermo elevated block and Rio
Salado del Norte valley –Córdoba and Santa Fe provinces-
Stop 10: Altos de Chipión– trench in the Tostado Selva fault scarp. Stop
11: profiles of the Cañada Sunchales. Stop 12: Profiles of the Salado del Norte
fluvial Valley. Stop
13: Río Salado del Norte profiles.
Overnight: Ciudad de
Paraná.
DAY 5, 18 October: North Pampa – Left margin of the Paraná River valley
–Entre Rios province-
Stop 14: Geomorphological view of the large Paraná fluvial valley. Parque Villa Urquiza
de Paraná. Stop 15: Paraná River cliff in La Juanita area. Stop 16: Profiles of the Ensenada River mouth, Diamante. Stop 17
Profiles near the Ander Egg waterfall. Stop 18 (Rosario-Victoria bridge): view
of the middle Holocene Paraná Delta landforms.
End of the excursion: 18 October (19:00 hs.), Ciudad de Rosario (Santa
Fe province).
Language
The Field Course will be offered in Spanish. Individual support in
English may be provided upon request.
Participation to the Field Course
Linkages with the framework of doctoral and post- doc programs of
argentine universities is being seeked in order to establish stronger roots
with the engagement and training of young scientists. The Course is competitive
and will be limited to a max. of 20 participants, due to logistic reasons.
Learning outcomes-evaluation
The Field Course will only be approved after personal participation in
all field activities and all exercises and approval of a final test on the
topics discussed in the course. Certificate of attendance for all participants
and assessment qualifies for credits towards PhD.
Support application
Grants provided by the TERPRO Sam-GeoQuat Group for PhD students and
early-career scientists (less than ten years after their PhD) from South
American countries are available. Grant applicants are requested to submit a
few lines of motivation and a Cv including also the list of publications.
Deadline for grant applications: 30 July, 2013.
Registration fee: the cost will be provided in the second circular
(July, 2013)
The registration fee will include accommodation during the field
excursion (room sharing), breakfast, lunch and dinner, excursion and teaching
material. Transportation to Merlo (SL) and from Rosario (SF) will be not
included. Payment conditions will be informed to the definitive participants.
Deadline for registration: 30 August, 2013. Registrations received after such date will be considered only if the
maximum number of participants has not been completed.
Contact
Dr. Daniela Kröhling. Argentine Research Council
(CONICET) and Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Santa Fe,
Argentina. Phone: +54-342-4575233-234-239-243-int.151 (office). E-mail: dkrohli@gmail.com; dkrohling@santafe-conicet.gov.ar. http://www.samgeoquat.santafe-conicet.gov.ar
