Miocene surface uplift and orogenic evolution of the southern Andean Plateau (central Puna), northwestern Argentina.

ABSTRACT: We present stable hydrogen-isotope analyses of volcanic glass ([Formula: see text]Dg) and radiometric ages (U-Pb zircon, U-Th calcite, AMS¹⁴C) from deformed sedimentary deposits in the vicinity of the intermontane Pocitos Basin in the central Puna of the Andean Plateau at about 24.5°S. Our results demonstrate 2-km surface uplift since the middle to late Miocene and protracted shortening that persists until the present day, while other sectors of the Puna show evidence for tectonically neutral and/or extensional settings. These findings are at odds with previous studies suggesting near-modern elevations (4 km) of the Puna Plateau since the late Eocene and formation of the intermontane Miocene Arizaro-Pocitos Basin associated with gravitational foundering of a dense lithosphere. G

SUBMITTER: Pingel H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10589720 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature