fold belts, Gondwanides. Cape – Ventana dynamic subsidence, Palaeozoic, Gondwana, upper basin, south-western Hesperides Keywords: Phone: +34 638 02 62 49 28045, Madrid,Spain. Present address: Mendez Alvaro 44 [email protected] Email: details Contact Affiliation: Repsol Exploración S.A.Direction ofgeological studies. Degree: PhD Francisco Author: Corresponding Pángaro deBuenos Aires -Universidad – IDEAN CONICET 2. 1. Repsol Exploración S.A. [email protected] This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. 10.1111/bre.12126 Acceptedof Record.versiondifferences and article Please between the cite this Version this as doi: through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination for publication accepted This articlehasbeen a a removed inlocalities that denudation interpret strong the process coast, near we interpretations la Ventana of Argentina and involves afarlarger time span. On the basis of seismic stratigraphic the time span between Pennsylvanian and Lower Triassic; this means that it triples that of the Sierras de basin south Colorado athickness andencompasses of m Argentina the ofbears offshore +7.000 record Triassic stratigraphic Palaeozoic-Lower context. upper The mapped Gondwana south-western Palaeozoic combined with existing ones in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and South Africa for their analysis in the late through the integration of data from exploratory wells and 2D seismic lines. Our interpretations were The late Palaeozoic to Triassic sedimentary record ABSTRACT Article Pángaro Francisco GONDWANA THE HESPERIDES BASIN:A CONTINENTAL-SCALE UPPE Article type : Original Article 03-Mar-2015 : Date Accepted :02-Feb-2015 Date Revised :19-Nov-2014 Date Received 1 , Víctor A. Ramos 2 and Pablo J. andPablo Pazos and undergone full peer review buthasnot been review undergone fullpeer and of the central Argentinean of analysed the centraloffshore was Argentinean and proofreading process, which may lead to R PALAEOZOIC TO TRIASSIC BASININSOUTHERN 2

Atlantic. Atlantis (the Meso-Cenozoic Ocean), all them consecutive basins that opened in the Present South Page footer: (1) Hespérides isone of the sons of basins America Africa depocentre. sq.km Chacoparaná formingof andSouth a+3,000,000 Kalahari,and with Karoo the inlateral have to basinisbeen continuity interpreted Hespérides Grande basins and Sauce the area Colorado of TriassicLower to basin dynamic controlled by mainly subsidence that the encompasses andexceeds Hespérides interpreted. The Basin(1)of isproposed hereinname refer to a to basin was Pennsylvanian with the Chacoparaná basin; to the east continuity and astraightforward correlation with the Karoo incontinuity Aires province Buenos have to the whole basinisinterpreted encompassed of of the extent This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted 2013). Pángaro 2012; Ramos late andearlyPalaeozoic Triassic (Ramos 1984, 2008; Rapalini Rapalini 2005; basin thatevolved ahead of thecollisional orogen andsouth-westernof Patagonia between Gondwana sedimentary anew sedimentary the history unravel to cover, andsubsidence of stratigraphy Cenozoic Mesozoic- the underneath buried deeply strata, lie recordwhich pre-Mesozoic of fragmented the on The aim this isto useof all the information paper available of Gondwana make context. south-western Biddle 1987; Archangelsky 1996; Juan continental shelfsince the early 80s through explorat upper Palaeozo However, 2013). Pángaro Ramos 2012; tectonic evolution of the area integrated with bo gravimetric on provide andseismic block and acomprehensivebased data basement configuration interpretations recent Gondwana reconstructions; south-western blank a inthe wide has represented and km rangingfrom to Shasa 35° that 560 42° 300 width between shelf continental Argentinean The 1.1Foreword and objectives 1. INTRODUCTION Articlebelt front, and that deformation in the orogenic fr fold Ventania the at observed was flexural depocentre no that are wedge sedimentary this of aspects Two salient north. the Uruguayto and south offshore the to core orogen Gondwanides the between km than for 1.000 extending more sediment ina wedge andparallel reflections wide continuous shows Tandilia system Buenosof Aires. The seismic stratigra stratigraphic laVentana, Sierras portion theof inthe de the surrounding plainsandthe record great et al. 1996), have received little effort to integrate them into the and the Claromecó fore-deepand the Claromecó inArgentina. The Zeus, as Adamastor (the Neoproterozoic Ocean) and th onshore Argentina andSouth onshore th Africa (Pángaro & ont isont post-Lower Triassic. ory drillingand ory 2D seismic interpretation (Uliana & phic configuration ofphic configuration thelate successionPalaeozoic ic sedimentary rocks known on the Argentinean Argentinean on the rocks known ic sedimentary The original westwards et al. 2010; Pángaro & Zalan 1999; Azcuy Brazil Argentina (Zalan north-eastern and southern of This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. SETTING REGIONAL 2. Flint (Smith al. Gamundí (López Argentina Gamundí López 1996; Archangelsky & Andreis Cladera 1992; de Aires(Andreis of & the Sierras laVentana Buenos upper of Palaeozoic the of interpretations data published features Onshore exploration. years 40 than more through of acquired rocks provided extra tie points. The seismic database comprised 2D lines of highly variable quality sedimentary rocks. fromData aseries of wells thatdrilled only afew tens of metres pre-Mesozoicof from Balarino2012) 2009, two 1996; wells that(Archangelsky circa drilled 3,000 upper m Palaeozoic of Our well database includedwireline logs, cuttings, for calculating tectonic subsidence curves of the upper Palaeozoic to present time span. th andpalaeoenvironmental maps of palaeogeographic integrated information Gathered in was units’ pre-Mesozoic distribution. the delineating that helped sub-unconformity sq.km Thismap of a allowed the construction stratigraphy. 480,000 to high confidence interpretations in areas devoid of previous interpretations on the Palaeozoic Palaeozoic record, well-to-seismic calibrations that the 2D seismic-stratigraphic interpretations. Than offshore, selected boreholes were analysed to identify key regional stratigraphic surfaces to calibrate In order to interpret the late Palaeozoic to early Triassic stratigraphy of the central Argentinean database and Methodology 1.2 reconstructions. in reason its proximity by of pre-breakup basin seismic South Africawasincluded data, Karoo by the areas of localities and the covered Argentina Due to the scale of this analysis, and the distance of several hundreds of kilometres between onshore in focused the offshore area thanksto the availab Palaeozoic record arising from this study are integrated over 1,000,000 sq. km; however, they were the upper on interpretations Sand42° Argentina35° S(Fig.1). The central between and offshore The study area issituated on the eastern margin of the South American plate and extends both onshore

Accepted 2013), the Cuenca Norte of Uruguay (De Santa Anta Article et al. et al. et 2011). 1993; Veevers Veevers 1993; et al. 2007; Milani & De Wit 2008) and the Karo the and 2008) Wit & De Milani 2007; et al. et al. 1994; Melchor 1999; Azcuy Azcuy 1999; Melchor 1994; 1994; Catuneanu Catuneanu 1994; et al. 1995), Carapachathe 1995), andSanRafael basins inwestern central ility adenseof seismic gridcovering 250,000 sq.km. ks to the remarkable lateral continuity of the andbiostratigraphic descriptions core data et al. et were extrapolated across hundreds of kilometres led et al. et al. e upper Palaeozoic Triassic, and Lower and used Palaeozoic upper e 1998; Johnson 1990; Winn & Steinmetz 1998; Milani & Milani 1998; &Steinmetz Winn 1990; 2006), the Chacoparaná basins andParaná et al. 1999; Kleiman & Japas 2009; Pazos Pazos 2009; Japas & Kleiman 1999; o and Kalahari basins of South Africa andKalahari basins of o South et al. et 2006; Lindeque Lindeque 2006; et al. 2011; et basins”) (Fig. continental-margin basins(“proto-pacific and active 1). & Spalletti (2006) who recognised three main groups and characteristics byLimarino distribution regional basinswasanalysed late tectonic The of Palaeozoic 2014). The upper Palaeozoic to Triassic stratigraphic record in the studied portion Triassic to south-western in Gondwana stratigraphic record studied portion of upper the Palaeozoic The basin (Fig. 1). upper Palaeozoic of the and continental shelf the Argentinean the extension into envisage maps whose (1927), byduToit and confirmed the existence of the trans-continental Gondwanides or rocks of sedimentary upper basinand laVentana Sierras de Palaeozoic of the the Correlation with Karoo record offshore Uruguay (Veroslavsky sedimentary in north pre-rift anddrilled stage further the 1996) Wright Saladobasinarea & (Tavella the in in the to north lines seismic have rocks interpreted been sedimentary however, Permian basin area; therein). basinalThis interpreted be to references was extension partially restricted Colorado tothe and 1996 (Archangelsky wells exploratory documented by rocks includeupper Palaeozoic terms these Lesta Sylwan Offshore, & to north2005). 1965; cover sedimentary Cenozoic the (Furque the underlying sedimentaryPalaeozoic rocks outcropping inthe Sierras delaVentana Buenosof Airesprovince, and are terms proposed refer the to to Azcuy 1985) basin Grande Colorado 1984; Sauce – (Andreis The Claromecó basin (Kostadinoff &Font de Affolter 1982; Ramos 1984; Ramos & Kostadinoff 2005) or This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Articleautochthonous (Rapalini different opinions about the allochthonous character of Patagonia and interpreted itas para- (Ramos 2008) andlate Lower Triassic times (Pángaro & Ramos 2012). However, authorssome hold microplate detached from Antarctica and accreted to southern Gondwana between Carboniferous asa (2013) byRamos recently interpreted &Naipauer America.was Patagonia basins inSouth basininSouth Africa, Claromecó andthe Karoo (or Sauce Grande Colorado),– Carapacha andSanRafael a day basin, present of vast the encompassing evolution foreland inthe area andresulted affect the the into (Lindeque South African Agulhasplateau extension Rapalini Rapalini 2005; 2008; 1984, (Ramos of Patagonia accretion The & 2008). (Milani andTriassic Wit De Devonian between that of the south-western Gondwana convergent margin which was the locus for terrane accretion situate our observations. Upper Palaeozoic stratigraphic evolution of the area was intimately linked to features upper of the TriassicPalaeozoic to Lower Gondwana that provided geology will aframework to interpretations from Argentina and South Africa; this section aims to highlight the relevant most stratigraphic andtectonic scenario regional was published basis set-up the previously on of In order to integrate our interpretations in the south-western Gondwana context, acomprehensive et al. et al. 2010; Pángaro & Ramos 2012; Ramos & Naipauer 2014) and its possible 2010) or even as autochthonous (Rapalini et al. et 2003). 2003). ; including intra-cratonic basins,; including basins, peripheral intra-cratonic ogen, were firstproposed by Keidel (1913, 1916) d the continuity of the Ventana – Cape fold belt Capefold – Ventana the of d the continuity et al. 2008) was the last collisional event to et al. 2013; Pankhurst Pankhurst 2013; et al. et

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Acceptedscenario (Tankard Catuneanu 1997; aof the considered basin,traditionally tectonic classic Karoo evolution The foreland basin(Smith Ma). - 251.2 (259.8 duringthe Lopingian have coexisted might Formation (2011) suggests that continental facies of the Beaufort Group and submarine fan facies of the Laingsburg at Group 25º E, allowing to re-situate itin th byRubidge results published Triassic a age basal E. Group newly for at suggest Lower the 2011) Beaufort 20º While (2009, Ecca by Fildani Group the underlying of agedeterminations U-Pb SHRIMP regression trend. general Beaufort continental Group, whos Vischkuil,the Collingham, Laingsburg, Brown and Fort Waterford formations. On thesetop of the Johnson (Andreis Archangelsky& unconformity 1996). succession by continental an erosive topped to a sandstones is succession by andfine-grained shales, sand-prone siltstones overlain of marginal marine glacigenic deposits in the Sierras de la Ventana of Buenos Aires; in this locality a much thinner the where Argentina in onshore equivalent no This has unit andreferences Uruguay therein). Formation(Milani of& Wit northern 2008 De Mangrullo fauna that allowed early correlations with the Iratí Fo Gondwana since akeyconstitutes it regional Formation marker south-western contains ArticleAlbert, Whitehill formations (Aarnes andCollingham In South Africa this transgression is overlain by International Commission on Stratigraphy chart 2013). placing the transgression in the latest Pasquo Sauce the (Di Grande palynological andon determinations within 2000) Formation recent Gutierrez 272.3 Ma) based on the presence of (Johnson Africa Albert Formation andthe inSouth Prince 1980) in 1947, (Harrington Argentina Formation referred to asthe ‘ Above these lie low energy subaqueous deposits bearing the characteristic Ribeiro Torres Andreis (Fig. & 2003) Vissier 1997; 2). 1987, units (Harrington 1980; 1947, equivalent Sauce Formation Argentina and Grande Africa bythe the Group and by inSouth eastern Dwyka IcePalaeozoic Age(Isbell starts with regionally distributed diamictites and gl the Above Whitehill Formation ageneral regressive et al. et al. et et al. et detailed AfricaandNamibia, InSouth 2008). 1997); this is represented inSW is South Ecca this units the of represented upper Group, the Africa by namely 1997); 1997). In Argentina these transgressive deposits were assigned to the Cisuralian (298.9– et al. et al. Eurydesma et al. 2002), has been recently reviewed as having evolved under a rather different aratherdifferent under ashaving evolved reviewed hasbeen recently 2002), 2009;Flint (2013) state an uppermost Guadalupian to Lopingian age for the basal age for the Lopingian Beaufort Guadalupian to anuppermost state (2013) et al. et Transgression’ (Smith 2012) during late Pennsylvanian 2012) duringlateto Sakmarian; Pennsylvanian these are represented in e age was traditionally considered et al. et Eurydesma Sakmarian (290.9±1.7 Stollhofen Ma, 2011; Lindeque Lindeque 2011; e upper Permian, the analysis presented by Fildani analysis by presented upperthe Permian, e Eurydesma somelow 200 mof energysediments thePrince of fauna, on the presence of acigenic deposits related to the peak of the Late et al. et et al. et rmation of the Paraná basin ofBrazil, and the El trend isinterpreted by several authors (e.g. et al. 1993); these include the Piedra Azul U-Pb SHRIMP juvenile zircon dating led to transgression ispresent on top of the 2011) spanning17 Ma. The Whitehill 2011; Fildani 2011; upper Permian, completes completes upperthe Permian, Malanzania nana Eurydesma et al. et al. 2008)(basedthe on 2011). The classic fauna thatwere Mesosaurus (Morel & et al. et et al. et al.

2013). (Pángaro and Cenozoic the erosion of approximately 2 km of overburden (Arzadún levels correlated with the youngest rocks that crop out in the Sierras de laVentana, led to interpreting de laVentana (Lesta & Sylwan 2005). Recent thermal maturity determinations in the Paragüil x-1 well, in Tomezzolli 1995; & Vilas Subsurface 1999). data allows laVentana Sierras (López Gamundí de that the folded event deformational agefor the Permian previously considered asa foreland basin, in part due to the interpretation by some authors of a was which Ramos 1984) Font Affolter 1982; & basin(Kostadinoff Claromecó de lies the Province, et al. Gamundí López Cladera 1992; (Andreis& south the to orogen studies suggest that these sedimentary rocks were depo Gondwana. Provenance south-western to accretion slope duringthe of Patagonia modification of to (AndreisCarboniferous Permian succession shows near reversal palaeocurrentof direction, from N-Sto SW-NE, during late succession initially correlated with the South African all this,several authors recognised inSierras de laVentana dated (Alessandretti de Sierras inthe sequence the outcropping zircons from were inrecent years limited: only extremely was Argentinean outcrops when compared to the Karoo basin isthat in the former the number of studies, (Azcuy Palaeozoic duringupper evolution insightsthe into provide outcrops provinces, isolated Mendoza and inthe La Pampa its Westwards, Africancounterpart. South compared to when information Gondwanides orogeny, analysis theof late Palaeozoic in eastern onshore Argentina reliedupon sparse deformation duringthe andintense Sierras la to reduced de areaof the Ventana Due the outcrops massif source for Upper the Ecca Patagonian sediments rather Group aCapethan belt origin. fold a that Van suggest North (2004) by Lente published analysis andalso sandstone provenance orogen, autocyclic control on the stratigraphic architecture rather than the tectonic influence of anearby stratigraphic interpretations presented by Prélat This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Article of by configuration foldthe asseismic beltLindeque foreland Cape interpreted included this the authors; several by provided later Triassic were andLower Pennsylvanian the between to account for the origin of the Karoo basin. Ev and dynamic subsidence concluded was that required slope only configuration, wavelength depocentre basin’s the basedon who, (1999) & wasMitrovica earlier by This Pysklywec envisaged. proposed a basinthat alongsideevolved acollisional orogen (Catuneanu depocentre aforeland with aflexural scenario leadingto fold belt, the hence Cape of development Permian a suggesting byHälbich minerals (1983) dating on heavily relied of early metamorphic interpretations 2013). Immediately to the north, beneath the Cenozoic sedimentary cover of Buenos Aires Buenos cover of sedimentary Cenozoic the beneath north, the to Immediately 2013). et al. 1999; López Gamundí Gamundí López 1999; et al. 2002 and references therein). On the other hand, new evidence indicates hand,new other evidence Onthe andreferences therein). 2002 et al. et al. et et al. 1994) (Fig. 3). The consequence of the nature of the 2010; López Gamundí Gamundí López 2010; 1989); Ramos (1984, 2008) interpreted this asthe consequence idence supporting the dynamic subsidence model la Ventana the existence of acirca 2,400 thickm et al. et , but located farther southwest thanpreviously Dwyka and Ecca Groups (Keidel 1913) (Fig. 2). This 1913)and EccaGroups(Keidel (Fig. Dwyka (2009) and Flint Flint and (2009) clear correlation with the outcrops theof Sierras sited proximal to an active arcvolcanic andan et al. et al. et al. 2013) probably during the Cretaceous Cretaceous probably during the 2013) 1999; López Gamundí 2006; Ramos 2006; Gamundí López 1999; 2013; Ramos Ramos 2013; et al. et (2011) suggesting an suggesting (2011) et al. et al. (2011), 2013).Despite et al.

evidence of this is the 180° rotation in sediment source area documented in both central Argentina and Early is interpreted. Triassic Middle to and Lower Pennsylvanian between front orogenic advancing By integrating the Palaeozoic stratigraphy and Cisuralian to Gamundí (López Pennsylvanian during west south upper from the basinsrelated front an deformation to foreland advancing Permian palaeogeography suggest that the San Rafael Melchor (1999) on the basis ofplant remains. Regional interpretations on the upper Carboniferous to (Archangelsky member was interpreted as Lower Permian on the basis of the presence of as inabraided deposited fluvial interpreted rocks bycoarser arkosic characterised and sedimentary grained one environment, anoverlying lacustrine ina interpreted as deposited fine-grained sediments The bearing one lower angular unconformity. mthick the CarapachaFormation is where byrocks, 4,000 by characterised separated twoan main units sedimentary local the upper only province, La Palaeozoic Carapacha basinofthe Pampa of remnant 2009 and references therein). Between the San Rafael and the Sierras de la Ventana localities lies the marks the end of compressive deformation associated with the Gondwanides orogeny (Kleiman &Japas 2013). At the top of the arc-related magmatic units affecting the area roughly between 280 and 260 Ma. (Kleiman & Japas 2009; López Gamundí Gamundí López 2009; &Japas Ma. (Kleiman 260 and 280 between roughly area the affecting These stratigraphic relationships ledseveral auth Ma (Guadalupian) (Rocha-Campos dated 265±2.6 another by angularunconformity marked This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted ± Cisuralian) Ma (upper as 281.1 2.5 (Rocha-Campos SHRIMP zircons juvenile byU-Pb succession Japas (Kleimanvolcanic dated of & 2009) subduction-related Article Campos The youngest age determined for the El Imperial Formation islower Cisuralian (297.2±5.2 Ma) (Rocha- Cisuralian. to a to during Pennsylvanian NEdirection aSSWdirection duringupper from Pennsylvanian One regionally significant characteristic thissu of Pazos fluvial grading depo rocks into sedimentary succession (Henry rocks; sedimentary environment deltaic to marine a This shows beneath therein). unit basaltransgression andopen references 2010 &Buatois Gamundí glacial-related intercalation thathasbeen correlated 1999; Henry Gamundí in province (López San the the Mendoza Rafael area Formation of record of this stratigraphic isrepresented by area (López Gamundí Further west, a series Upperof Carboniferous to Lower Triassic sedimentary and volcanic rocks crop out et al. et al. (2013) envisage a persistent subaqueous marine environment. environment. marine subaqueous persistent a envisage (2013) et al. 2011); itsupper contact is an angular unconformity capped by the Cochicó Group, a et al. et al. 2014) which isasuccession of marine, deltaic and fluvial environment deposits with a et al. 1980), while the upper member was dated as Lopingian (259.8 – 252.2 Ma) by – 252.2 (259.8 as Lopingian was dated upper the member while 1980), 1995;Azcuy 2014 and references therein). Above these lie open marine to shallow marine et al. 1999; Kleiman &Japas 2009) (Figs. 2 & 3). The most complete sits according toEspejo (1996 in Azcuy et al. pre-existing models, a northwards and eastwards models, pre-existing ccession isthat it shows a change inpalaeocurrents ors to interpret the San Rafael orogenic phase, 1994; Kleiman & Japas 2009). 2009). &Japas Kleiman 1994; the Upper Carboniferous to Lower ElPermian Imperial environment (Melchor 1999). The age of the lower in turn a by overlain 300 mglacially-influenced , a Lower Triassic extension-related volcanic unit a Lower Triassicextension-relatedvolcanic , et al. to the Glacial Episode II of and Carapachabasins a part were of system of 2006). The top of the Cochicó Group is Gangamopteris et al. et Bashkirian age(López 1995;Azcuy et al. 1999),while flora et al. et al. et et al. 2006). 2006).

be disregarded. be record south of the Ventana Fold belt front, but an not proved Argentina Triassic due the denudation was Lower situation theto offshore of Mesozoic Belt became duringFold active Triassic the load subsidence. to This overimposing aflexural dynamic the Group, and the thickness of this unit compared to the underlying Ecca Group, interprets that the Cape (personal communication) on the basis of the presence of quartzite material in the Upper Beaufort fold Flint belt. Cape the Group a Ecca GroupHowever, andprobably evolution of post-Beaufort event. This interpretation is in phase with those of that the whole Pennsylvanian to Lower Triassic successi Offshore Buenos Aires, Pángaro & Ramos (2012) and Pángaro (2013) used 2D seismic data to interpret (Chernicoff Massif North Patagonian was recently dated at 261.3±2.7 Ma (late Guadalupian) and the interpretation of growth strata (López Gamu deformationlocalities. Mild wasinterpreted throug these lietwo date account compressive to to for strong deformation, in between solid Permian models (2011) for the lower Ecca Group units. The Sierrasde la Ventana of Buenos Aires, for which there are no compressive deformation in the San Rafael block with the pre-orogenic nature interpreted by Flint et al. This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. allowed the calibration of seismic data to the north. (Pángaro south-western rocks Gondwana of sedimentary rich sandstones devoid of any microfossils corre Coloradothe north Mesozoic, thePejerrey of well as Veroslavsky inwhich Uruguay only a few tens of metres into the pre-Mesozoic strata; these include the Gaviotín x-1 well in offshore Potoniesporites-Lundbladispora based of - upon recognition Ma) dated259.8 as Guadalupian (223.2 to strata Pennsylvanian rocks. sedimentary Palaeozoic mof former upper The through sedimentary 1,400 drilled m 3,000 of theof dataprovided by the Puelche x-1 andCruzde basis Triassic the area – in stratigraphy was reconstructed offshore on Lower the upper Palaeozoic The IN TH THE UPPERPALAEOZOIC 3. Johnson Archangelsky Andreis Africa South 1996; & &Cladera 1992; (Andreis southern Accepted Cisuralian)(Alessandretti(upper where U-Pb SHRIMP zircon dating in the uppermost stratigraphic record encompasses alonger time period than the onshore Sierras de laVentana region, (approximately 280 to 252 Ma) (Balarino 2009, 2012). Integrating these wells shows that the offshore Cruz delSurx-1 drilled1,600 sedimentary rom of Article 1999). From west to east an advance of the orogenic front can be inferred by integrating et al. et , Striatites et al. et (2003) documented Permian sedimentary rocks previously regarded regarded rocks previously sedimentary Permian documented (2003) E CENTRAL ARGENTINEAN OFFSHORE et al. al. et 2010; López Gamundí Gamundí López 2010; and 2013). Cristatisporites lated to the Silurian-Devonian passivelated to the Silurian-Devonian margin cks age of Cisuralian-GuadalupiantoLopingian Africanthe Karoo basin South envisage that a post- analogue situation to that proposed by Flint cannot h palaeomagnetic studies (Tomezzolli &Vilas 1999) l Sur x-1 wells (Figs. 3 & 4), which drilledmore than units provided ages of 274.3±4.8 Ma and 280±1.9 280±1.9 and Ma 274.3±4.8 of ages provided units ndí etal 1995). South of this region deformation basin thatdrilleda series quartz- of hardhyaline by the U-Pb SHRIMP method in gneisses of the on wason folded in singleone compressive tectonic 2013), and the Dorado x-1 and D.x-1 wells that et al. biozones (Archangelsky 1996); while the 2013). Other exploratory wells drilled et al. 1997; Azcuy 1997; et al.

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. the contain could most of section three -belong to the the to belong m 400 upper that the available indicates data for x-1 well1996) the Puelche (Archangelsky Biostratigraphic suchas and structures ripples sedimentary by micro-hummocks. characterised traction-related composed mainly of very fine to fine sandstones and siltstones in very thin beds and bed-sets, well cores within thisunittotalling 10.5 mallo characterised highfrequency by reflectingoscillations apartial bearing unit, third thickness alsoof 840 m as composed by low energy environment sedimentary rocks deposited above a flooding surface. The in and andsilty fragments led abundant shaly tounit the ray this cuttings observed values interpreting thickness of 290 m, its base marked by an abrupt increase of the gamma ray log values; this high gamma lithologicalforward discrimination as well as valu Two well cores withinthis interval totalling 10.5 m, and than of (Fig.4)andcomprises silty 460 andsandstones. more 95% m minor diamictites shales over The Puelche x-1 well drilled three units that show di andcuttings. cores interpretations is the gamma ray log, calibrated through direct observation of borehole cores, sidewall for the support coast. Africanpre-GondwanaThe main these break-up and the between km 350 the Argentinean outcrops of Sierras de la Ventana and the offshore wells is 330 km, comparable to the the stratigraphic column of the western Karoo basin was chosen for correlation. The distance between stratigraphic record present in the closest control localities in the Argentinean onshore (Pángaro 2013) to partial stratigraphic interpretation. upa Due the andpalaeoenvironmental column set well-controlled The first step in reconstructing the Palaeozoic sedimentary record in the Argentinean offshore was to Well3.1 data interpretation stratigraphy. Palaeozoic the on interpretation previous inareas without of kilometres hundreds over observations than afew tens of kilometres long in dip direction, their combination allows valuable regional preservationof thousands of metres of Palaeozoic normal faults of the Jurassic and Cretaceous rift events (Pángaro & Ramos 2012) allowed the extremely valuable when calibrated with the wells. Hundreds ofrotated downthrown blocks related to Apart from these pieces of data, dense 2D seismic coverage of the Argentinean offshore proved Accepted presentbiozone inmost of the well ischaracteristic the well indicates a Pennsylvanian to lowe Article Striatites Potoniesporites Lundbladispora biozone while the remaining drilledPalaeozoic interval - sections one, two and Cristatisporites r Cisuralian age for the diamictites. The wed the recognition aof homogeneous package able facies observations. The second unitbears a biozone. The presence of the latter in the bottom of strata; even though these blocks are typically less shows ashift ingamma ray value atits base andis of the Gondwanaland Cisuralian (289.9 – 272.3 Ma) along with cuttings descriptions, enabled astraight stinctive profiles. gamma-ray The lowest unitspans biozone, and that the lowermost portion of the well a layering in a layering thin andrather discrete beds. Three Cristatisporites

environments. The lack of resolution modern-high well led logs torelying heavily gamma ray, upon 1:500 to 1:200 log-based interpretation was carri reconstructedBased the on +3 thickkm stratigraphic of sedimentarycolumn Palaeozoic rocks adetailed Detailed3.2 stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental interpretation tie the Argentinean offshore data (Fig. 2). stratigraphic basin which inthe Karoo column western Palaeozoic was as considered the to a reference 1999; Werner 2006; Fildani This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted andpalynological lithology assemblages. Absolute was with correlated section fans submarine the of Formation the basis on their Laingsburg the of Finally, Cruzdel whole therein). Sur al. of the et andreferences the Flint 2011 well Palaeozoic x-1 1997; basin fan asbasinplain (Johnson Karoo inthe basinfloor deposits southern outer to interpreted which x-1 were formations of Puelche correlated the section well was the andTierberg to Vischkuil Prince Albert,the Whitehill formations andCollingham silty uppermost (Fig.2). to fine-grainedThe unit correlates with the Dwyka Group, while the overlying fine-grained sediments were correlated with succession with remarkable similarities to that of sedimentary upper thick both km of a+3 thePalaeozoic to demarcation of led integration wells The the absolute ages provided Fildani by to Africaaccording South western south depocentres of units Tanqua inthe andLaingsburg equivalent rocks drilledinthe Cruzdel Surx-1 well with th (approximately -252283 Ma). Thisdata allowsapreliminary correlation theof Palaeozoic sedimentary Article associations indicative biostratigraphic of aCisuraliantwo for unit -Guadalupianto Lopingian this age The revision of the available material for the Cruz de rift stage sedimentary rocks the from drift-stage Upper Cretaceous ones. unconformity is section bythe that Mesozoic Palaeozoic the marked separates – pre- Palaeozoic upper one with a thickness of 100 mand limited at top and bottom by sharp surfaces (Fig. 4).The top of the a thickness with lower one surface, mandasharptop the of +300 and well, upper the sections the of units sandprone intercalations The occur intwo(Table 1). sandstone fine-grained occasional very interbedded siltstones, andfeldspathic wackes with andsiltstonesshales sandstones with grained upper sedimentary rocksm Palaeozoic of characterised prevailing two lithologies: by fine very tofine The CruzdelSur x-1 well, situated Cisuralian toGuadalupianage(a sedimentary record while the et al. Striatites pproximately 283 – 259 Ma). Ma). – 259 283 pproximately 2007,2009; Rubidge in the south eastern Colorado basin, margin of drilled atotal of 1,600 et al. biozone present in the upper part is indicative of upper of upper part isindicative upper inthe present biozone (2007, 2009)(Fig. 2). e submarine fans the Laingsburgof and Formation ed out to further assess their depositional the south-western Karoo basin. The diamictite prone prone diamictite basin.The Karoo the south-western age inSouth Africadeterminations (Bangert l Sur x-1 well led Balarino (2009, 2012) to identify et al. 2013) allowed adetailed reconstruction of et al. et al.

litho-stratigraphic correlation with the basin,Karoo (Archangelsky isindicativebiozone which 1996), of a This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Acceptedthick was drilledtowards the top of the Guadalupian sandswith siltstones (Fig. Athirdsubordinate fine grained siltstone to package sandstone very 8). 90 m upper a and the one with thickness bothof characterised100 anm, by intercalation to of fine fine- very The CruzdelSur x-1 well drilled two sandy packages, coincidence with the high gamma-ray value units detected in the Puelche x-1 well. its equivalent in the Argentinean offshore as suggested by enhanced total organic content values in basin. The only age constraint for correlation of these rocks isthe presence of the raygamma sections interpreted as organic richlayers correlated with the Prince Albert, Whitehill andCollin Above the diamictite-bearing unit liesapackage of low energy environment sedimentary rocks andFielding (1997) Vissier sequences that were tentatively correlated with the u (Visser 1997).The vertical arrangementthethree of Grou Dwyka andthe Formation Sauce Grande the both described intercalations in sandstone to an represent could analogue These description. during cuttings values is present in the diamictite bearing unit and isinterpreted assand-prone intercalations detected ray low A gamma icebergs. characterisedby by third rafted supplied sediment electrofacies with coexists allows interpreting an analogue situation to that described by Vissier (1997) in which suspension settling Articlestages of ice-retreat phases. The presence of shales last as deposited duringthe interpreted been Group Africa inSouth they have (Visserwere Dwyka 1997) Formation inArgentina Sauce Torres (Andreis Ribeiro Grande inthe andinthe both & 2003) described gamma ray values within the diamictite-bearing unit arise from the interpretation of this core isthat it data to piece of The relevant most micro-dropstones. containing laminated andmudstones siltstones of diamictites is second core shalymatrix and abundant composedof The intercalations unit. with bearing constant with a value around 80°API; which is the massive diamictites with pebbles reaching 8cm in size. The gamma ray response for this core israther cores were obtained within this unit intercalated siltstones and sandstones dropstones,of (Fig.5). Two andsubordinate with claystones The basal portion of the Puelche x-1 well is composed analyses. descriptions, and geochemical cuttings such logs was achieved through the correlation with cores, both of the vertical well and sidewall cores, resistivity andsonic logs with a maximum vertical reso et al. (2008). (Figs. 6 & 7); the lower one is exclusively composed of 5 metres of allows the calibration of one of three units of higher value that characterises 95 % of the diamictite- allows interpreting that and siltstoneslevels in these withmicro-dropstones . Similar finer-grained intercalations have been have intercalations . finer-grained Similar lithofacies led to interpreting three deglaciation section. to CalibrationLopingian for detailed Cisuralian age.This, along with the straightforward a lower one with a thickness greater than290 m that correlate with similar strata in the Karoo gham formations; this formations; unit gham contains eight high of 460 metres of diamictites and minor amounts pper three sequences identified inSouth Africaby identified sequences three pper lution of about 1 ft. Calibration of the response of p and forming part of the deglaciation part the sequences deglaciation of p andforming the hasWhitehill Formation Cristatisporites

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted basinwards. kilometres surfaces that over identification canbetraced of the hundreds of regional-extension allowed with regional seismic mapping ofthe top and bottom boundaries of the main submarine lobe complex even lobeor complexes As couldoccur. will be discus than 10 m this might be an indication of alaterally compensating system in which several stacked lobes basin (Prélat Karoo lower lobe complex is its +300 thickness,m six time environment, probably due having beingdrilledin to alower reflects energy complex lobe uppermost The complex. lobe the within position axial when compared to the lower complex, suggesting asystem deposited by higher energy fluxes or a more thickness a smaller boundaries andtop and sharp bottom marks the abandonment of the submarine lobe complex. The second submarine lobe complex presents uppermost 30 The show 2013). grain am a progressive towards decrease surface rather that size abrupt thickness of this lobe complex was estimated in 420 m on the basis of seismic interpretation (Pángaro b.s.l. and3,980 totalm byand ischaracterised the aprogradational–retrogradational trend; bottom werecomplexes identified (Fig. the of the analysis appliedto was approach similar A indication of their hierarchy. Articleinteractions led Prélat result of be these isto as control The expected. a a of frequency this, consequence higher distribution; lobes,submarine lateral compensation will also bea factor highenergy controlling sediment to When applied retrogradational periods. related fine-grained sedimentation interbedded with periods, duringfalling andlowstand packages stage a deposited typically be sandstone-bearing series of would evolution basin.The into result of this the transport sediment of process dominant bethe would plumes fall-out hence portions, sands deeper of the turbiditic amounts reach would minor only highstands in leads sediments trapped level coarser to being increased sediment transport towards the deeper portio These authors describe asystem in which the initia of the lobes Ecca andTanqua submarine Group. thedepocentres’ Laingsburg interpretation of detailed by Prélat applied premises the following analysed Our interpretation led to identifying hundreds of individual sandstone beds and bed sets that were values with lithology from detailed petrographic studies (Table 1). interpretation based mainly on gamma ray logs was possible through the correlation of gamma ray et. al. et. et al. et 2010).Considering theindividual lobes (2009) to consider the thickness of the fine-grained intercalations as an 8). The8). lower lobe complex waspartially drilled between the well the coastal andshallow shelf environments. During et al. et tion the of falling-stage systems tract leads to an s that of the average lobe complex measured in the Cruz delSurx-1 well in sed further, the integration of this interpretation a position. marginal Oneremarkable aspect theof (2009) and Prélat and Prélat (2009) ns of the basin, while arelative rise of base ; internally it; displays a ‘massive’more aspect which are inthe range of a few to less et al. which three submarine lobe (2010)provide who a transition from low amplitude reflections atthe ba This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Acceptedinterpretedthe Puelchein x-1well regression general trend The unconformity. – Mesozoic at the reflection Palaeozoic amplitude contrast in wave propagation velocity with the over tens reflectionsof with anextension and low-amplitude deposits of the highstand system tract show in the Digicom survey laterally continuous high-frequency sedimentaryThe overlying rocks of theSakmarian - identification (Pángaro 2013). allow straightforward that their offshore Argentinean the hills buried occurrence throughout the of this unit isits erosion profile, which reflects the indurated massive diamictite layers; these resulted in data. characteristic feature Another of of the content frequency andthe their thickness on depending represent the top of each deglaciation sequence should be interpretable in some seismic surveys within anddiscontinuous reflections thethat fine-grained package. The intercalations low-amplitude diamictite bearing unit which ischaracterised by a well-defined positive reflection atthe top and rather stratigraphic record (Fig. 10). The first aspect to the seismic data in the Digicom survey area allo The integration of the composite well derived log fr environment, as indicated by erosive features atthe top of the section. displays continental sedimentary facies record indicative seismic ofahigher-energy stratigraphic reflections were visible and only the uppermost port Articledetected, no thickness variations were evident at the scale of tens of kilometres, no sigmoidal results of this interpretation were that no onlap 250,000 sq. km showed that this interval ischaracterised by a remarkable lateral continuity (Fig.9). The Triassic succession an Lower to area over of Palaeozoic upper interpretation ofthe Seismic-stratigraphic blocks. downthrown inrotated preserved were rocks encompasses 8,500 sq. km in theno in achieved1994 aDigicom good imaging qualit very stratigraphy as faras 400 km from the wells. East of the Pejerrey High a 2D seismic survey acquired by seismic response of prediction theof upper toolthe forthe a valuable expected Palaeozoic provided constructed in order to generate dedicated synthetic partial well-seismic correlation was possiblein th from the two offshore wells analysed. However, due to the generally poor seismic data quality, only A regional seismic stratigraphic interpretation was ca 3.3 Seismic interpretation is also interpretable inseismic rthern flank of the Colorado basin where Palaeozoic sedimentary sedimentary basinwhere rthern flank Colorado Palaeozoic of the wed awed to one one seismic characterization of the be considered isthe predicted seismic image of the terminations against local or regional highs were e drilled locations. A composite logsonic was se of the post-glacial sequence, to an overlying an to sequence, overlying post-glacial se the of om the Puelche x-1 and Cruz del Sur x-1 wells with with wells Surx-1 the Puelche and Cruzdel x-1 om lying sedimentary Mesozoic rocks results inalower Artinskian transgression (291 andlowMa) energy y at pre-Mesozoic (Fig. levels 9), this survey ion the of whole upper Palaeozoic to Lower Triassic rried out in order to extrapolate the data obtained seismograms for each seismic survey (Fig. 4), this of kilometres; apart from this, the lower relative data through the recognition of a the through recognition data This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted in unknown central Argentina.eastern previously in rocks has Beaufort sedimentary that post-lower Group this the its were Lopingian equivalent study area with these isstraightforward, hence allo factors. and allocyclic Correlation non-drilledof the lateral anddownstream accretion on scales,several with local controlled variability by both autocyclic by Wilson revised while the latter reflects ahigher energy braided fluvial system. The lower Beaufort Group was recently system limited at theirbase by erosive surfaces ca Johnson the Group. rocks subgroups Adelaide of Beaufort andTarkastad to of the sedimentary According comparison with the Karoo basinallows correlati offshore seismiconly data correlationsand regional were available for its interpretation. Direct features inalaterally array; Argentinean compensating drilled hassince unit inthe this been not erosive theparallel-reflectionsAbove unitisa 600 thickm unconformity. lithological contrasts, andanincreapronounced interpreted on the basis of progressively higher amplitude seismic reflections that stand for more progradation a is rather later Above continuous the above system. the rocks lobes sedimentary finer grained reflecting the a inamplitude which shows – decrease unconformity Mesozoic Palaeozoic feature of the submarine lobes system and the overlying lower energy deposits is the amplitude of the by ahigh amplitude positive reflection reflecting the decrease in sand content. Another diagnostic andischaracterised Cruz retrogradational that Surx-1 well wassurface inthe del documented Lopingian andabrupt continuous Guadalupian– by iscapped the lobe regionally complexes system submarine Articleextended major stratigraphic surfaces delimiting units with very small thickness variations. The metres. These would preferably occur in a very low gradient basin, interpretation that also explains the system oflaterally compensating lobes of medium to small thickness in the range of afew tens of interpreted sediment transport direction; our interpreta parallel high frequency reflections by characterised with increase Internally fan submarine asudden to supply. related the is insediment be package system northern Salado basin area. One hypothesis to explain the regional extent of this surface is that it might that can be traced across hundreds ofkilometres from the south of the Colorado basin up to the in documented Cruz delSur x-1 well. This interface system complexes submarine– lobe (272 the Guadalupian-Lopingian 252 Ma) base the of mark to Overlying the described section, a regionally extensiv Mesozoic strata can be considered aslaterally constant. unconformityMesozoic reflects as well anincrease in sand content since propagation velocity theof thickness of sandy intercalations. Besides, theprogre refl of amplitude increasingly contrasting alternation et al. et (1997) the former ischaracterised by thinning upward cycles of a meandering fluvial et al. (2014) who propose a system dominated by very fine sand by byvery andcharacterised dominated asystem propose who (2014) sing amplitude in the pre-Mesozoic – Mesozoic on of this unit with the fluvial environment rving from tens of centimetres to tens of metres, package characterised internally by by upwards characterisedpackage internally concave is interpreted asanabrupt regional-scale surface wing topoint-out that in the Argentinean offshore units upper of the Palaeozoic Triassic toLower in the ections that suggest an increase in frequency and ssive increase inthe amplitude of the Palaeozoic – e negative high-amplitude reflection isinterpreted alateral continuity of tens of kilometres in the tion of this characteristiction ofthis a seismicfaciesis of This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Triassic. post-Lower and hence belt Venta fold resulting that deformation inthe was post-depositional indicated compressive (2012) the Ventana belt. fold This is consistent with pr no thickness variations or presence of growth strata The seismic stratigraphic analysis also suggests that the upperPalaeozoic-Lower Triassic section shows system. lobes submarine the Guadalupian Lopingian base of – andthe and top transgression is of continuity the therecord namely main stratigraphic thesurfaces, Sakmarian post-glacial upper Triassic Argentinean remarkable Lower to aspectPalaeozoic of Africa. Another the offshore basis the quality seismic good described lineson byLindeque of basin.Asimilar was portion of the peneplain low-angle the points nor hinge mapped over increases the Guadalupian regressive surface as adatum, this figure drops to 0.2 degrees and shows neither local base pre-Pennsylvanian daydippingof the present the Cladera & (Andreis and1992) Karoo basin(Johnson inthe direction the palaeocurrent directionson transport basis of in Sierras laVentanameasured de the this cross parallel section sediment canbe offshore; Uruguayan the to considered main southern NNE cross section was constructed between alocation some 60 km south of the Colorado basin and the By integrating the seismic interpretation of the upper Palaeozoic to Lower Triassic, an 800 km long SSW- duelimited to andMesozoic Cenozoic erosion. to is ineastern stratigraphic Argentina record such rocks the equivalent outcrop andwhere very time ArticleTriassic sedimentary succession only km away180 from the Sierras delaVentana area, which is the only remarkableparticularly in the case of Locality B wh aforementioned characteristicsallowi units the retain to Triassic sedimentary Lower Palaeozoic upper the at coast; from the these away km 30 Among the interpreted localities, specialof interest ar basin gradient of low the distances supportingof as a km very overall 75 the whole. kilometres; especially the seismic linedisplayed inFig. each of the seismic units interpreted remains constant at the scale of observation ofafew tens of neither localhighsnor against against terminations, onlap aregional slope. Additionally, the thickness of remarkablemost of these characteristics islayer-cake seismic configuration of the basinfilldevoid of length atthe maximum, are key for interpreting the interpreted in rotated blocks with aremnant extension of Palaeozoic rocks of a few tens of kilometres in and the Argentinean coast. Allthe analysed localities basin Este the to basinin del Punta Colorado South American Uruguay, andbetween the plate margin A similarly detailed interpretation was carried out ov ng the interpretation of their continuity onshore. This aspect is evious seismicinterpretations by PangaroRamos and ich shows a4.5 km thick upper Palaeozoic to Lower related to development of the offshore portion of of portion offshore the of development related to regional configuration of the basinasa The whole. er an area of 250,000 sq. km from the south of share aseries of characteristics that, despite being e sites BandC (Figs.11 & 12) which lie only 20 to ment is 0.5 degrees; however, when considering considering when however, is degrees; ment 0.5 9 shows that this characteristic can be traced over et al. 1997) (Fig. 13c). The results show that that show results The 13c). (Fig. 1997) et al. et (2011) in the Karoo basin of South This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. AcceptedKaroo basins to the east. The name of Hesperides isproposed herein to refer to a basin that Chacoparaná the to west, theconnections basin to Parana the basinto norththe Kalahariand andthe into present-day eastern onshore Argentina with significant no thickness variations and with are herein acontinuous basin Lower to Triassic consistent with Pennsylvanian extending Interpretations available. (Milani & Zalan 1999). In the case of the Chacoparan vicinity of the Asunción arch, wasalso affected coastal range southern of Brazil (Zalan basin,its isdeeply boundary eastern Paraná contro the difficulty of these being affected by a similar process of Mesozoic denudation. In the case of the thickness regional integration andof our basinsfacedThe neighbouring Chacoparaná map with Paraná province. Aires Buenos the of most encompassed that Gondwanides (1 Harrington proposal by anearly consistent with immediate onshore region. This interpretation of onshore continuity of the late Palaeozoic basin is are suggests that northe changes unlikely configuration thickness areas neighbouring occurinneither to when considering Locality B (Fig.11): ne although Palaeozoic to Lower Triassic thickness extend maps onsh upper our in day probably Most structural present offshore to the configuration. evident those different thicknessoriginal (Fig. suggest 13a) interpreted to units with respect their sedimentary the upper daydistributionPalaeozoic of present The Article basins, andinacorridor that parallels South American boundary.the plate preservationthe stri ofthree main the removal of as much as 7 km of section in some Jurassic and Cretaceous rifting events (Pángaro &Ramos 2012). Rift-related denudation that resulted in andCenozoic tectonicthe especially is the rocks Mesozoic events, adirect of consequence Palaeozoic the upper day is distribution present of first that the units. observation The pre-Mesozoic the of The resulting map (Fig. 13a) allowsa series of high Permian orogenic core, and areas undifferentiateof sedimentaryPalaeozoic rocks, the crystalline basement rocks, lower Triassic Lower to sedimentary the of discrimination Pennsylvanian allowing data published Triassic – Mesozoic +Cenozoic unconformity was carrie Lower the Palaeozoic underlying + rocks the data of mapping adetailed seismic and well integrating By ROCKS: THE HESPERIDES BASIN. TRIASSIC LOWER TO UPPERPALAEOZOIC OF DAY DISTRIBUTION PRESENT AND ORIGINAL 4. pes upper of rocksin Palaeozoic the axes of the Colorado andSalado s that the latter was controlled by factors and tectonic features et al. 1990; Milani & Zalan 1999); while its western inthemargin, by Mesozoic and Cenozoic kilometre-scale erosion erosion kilometre-scale andCenozoic by Mesozoic ar the Argentineanshore, aparallel layer-cake 962) of a large scale depocentre in front of the -impact observations regarding preservation potential areas (Pángaro & Ramos 2011; Pángaro 2013), led to to led 2013), Pángaro 2011; & Ramos (Pángaro areas lled by the Atlantic break-up-related uplift uplift of the break-up-related Atlantic lled the by d Lower Palaeozoic andcrystalline units. basement á basin no estimations of the eroded thickness are , the full extension of the Ventana fold belt, the d out. This interpretation wasintegrated with ore with no significant va riations. Thisriations. isevident This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Acceptedthe Permian, more precisely since 274.3±4.8 Ma (lat constraints (Fig.15). The main reason for this is th of the drift-stage Cretaceous units, the onshore curv by with analyses controlled straightforward stratigraphy seismicwas andbiostratigraphic construction subsidence curves block half-graben. While ofoffshore the up-thrown the covering drift-stage the age rocks for the isof Cretaceous, which oldest interpreted Ma anduppermost the 184 between have been isinterpreted to denudation period of main The block. inthe downthrown preserved complete removal of the Hesperides basin stratigraphic record, which was on the other hand fully erosion estimated at more than 7km of rocks in the up-thrown block (Pángaro 2013) resulting in the flank of the Colorado In basin this area(Fig. 14). The first of the analysed subsidence curves is from Locality B (Fig. 11), a half-graben in the northern Cretaceous. as can considered tectonic be depocentres, Salado bulk ofthe of the Buenos Aires Province area and the shallow offshore away from the Colorado and &RamosThe (Introcaso Cretaceous andCenozoic 1984). basinshasbeen also active duringthe Salado Extra thermal subsidence uncompensated to related Colorado and boundary. the beneath excess mass has shelf thermal been continental to continuous subjected subsidence that at platewas the strongest break-up, the in stratigraphic area.Since record Argentinean denudation of inthe the the processes references therein) dated at 127 Ma (Peate 1997). Both rifting events are considered asthe key the latitude of the study area isinterpreted asrelated to the Etendeka LIP (Stica for the andSaladoage basins.TheColorado third tectonic major is Atlantic atevent break-up which the riftin Karoo-LIP-related Jurassic Articlethat of the Atlantic break-up riftevent as proposed by Pángaro & Ramos (2012), and the evidences for a syn-rift stage rocks in offshore Argentina, but the interpretation of adifferent regional stress scenario to (Jourdan Ma 184 at dated was which(LIP) Province Igneous & Ramos 2012). Regional correlation of this rifting event led to considering it coeval to the Karoo Large basins, asJurassicand Salado iswhich interpreted by several Pángaro authors (Mpodozis Ramos 2008; & Triassic (Pángaro & Ramos 2012). The second major tectonic event is the onset of rifting in the Colorado the Ventana fold belt in the stud dates for regional tectonic events. The first of such events is the main compressive deformation phase in published units, andon Mesozoic Triassic andthe Lower to Palaeozoic the upper stratigraphy of the generated history were data pre-existinganalysed for andnewly subsidence localities the on basis of on in central Argentina,several event denudation proposed regional further constrain the to In order 4.1 Subsidence curves and Triassic. upper Lower entity basinsformingPalaeozoic duringthe acontinuous neighbouring encompasses the Palaeozoic Claromecó and Sauce Gran g event in Namibia (Stollhofen y area, which was interpreted y area, Triassic which interpreted as uppermost was Lower to Middle structural ledto interpreting modelling a minimum e almost complete lack of stratigraphic record since ally stable or slowly subsidingsincethe late e Cisuralian), age theof youngest Palaeozoic rocks es faced serious uncertainties due to limited age de-Colorado basins and extends further into the the into further basins andextends de-Colorado et al. et al. 2005). No dating isavailable for the 2000) led to considering asimilar et al. 2013 and and 2013 Mesozoic/Cenozoic. Given the proximity to the Sierras de laVentana, and the regional scope of the rift- 2005). Thus it can be postulated that atleast 2 km of missing rock was eroded during the no compressive deformation related to the Gondwanides orogeny was documented (Lesta &Sylwan sedimentary column was eroded according to the af One key onshore point to calibrate our denudation thefor Hesperides basininfill atthe locality (Pángaro eroded during the Gondwanides orogeny could exceed 4km, which is the original thickness estimated considering apalaeo-erosionso surface incoincide Sierra de southern inthePillahuincó Sierras laVentana de the whole theof upper Palaeozoic is eroded, the Sierras de laVentana, kilometre-scale uplift and erosion isto be expected. For example in the evident, and considering the minimum tectonic uplift during the Gondwanides that can be interpreted in This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Acceptedwith aseismic line presented by Pángaro & Ramos (201 quality by data folded but inthe analogy poor of seismic overall area, the dueto quantified accurately duringlate Lower have to place taken is interpreted seismic lines of Figs. 10 through 13. In the Ventana fold belt uplift related to the Gondwanides orogeny as inthe doming, evidenced duringthe rifting-related occurred denudation the process main data, eventserosion isstill challenging. interpre Inour butof these isstrong, the timing andonshore both offshore denudation for substantial evidence The Figure 14 about here. Articleestimatedwas in a minimum of 2.2 km. denudation by rock of overburden the removal of 30°C/km, time through gradient geothermal constant data on the stability field illiteof metamorphic (Lanson the de Sierra of north Sierraof Pillahuincó, the determination of the existence of metamorphic illite data indirect ina piece on relies The third the of way more rock was removed. of overburden km telodiagenetic minerals in the Tandil ranges, where Zalba thickness of 1.5 km. Another piece of data of high impact on subsidence curves is the analysis of locality. This interpretation agrees with that of time of 30°C/km, gradient through geothermal constant anarbitrary data, given ofthese The Formation. interpretation Tunas Permian of the levels uppermost maturity between 1.6 and 1.3 %Ro for samples at 396 mand 412 m below ground level at the Arzadún inthe x-1 where well Paragüil measurements reflectance vitrinite old data, provides insight into the regional evolution since the uppermost Palaeozoic. The first is the system points control are practically non-existent. Ho well inthe plains north theof Sierrasde laVentana Sierras inthe laVentana (Alessandrettide outcropping Pángaro (2013) who postulated a minimum a postulated who (2013) eroded Pángaro minimum de lade Ventana (Buggisch published Considering 1987). tation, supported by seismicoffshore andborehole nce with the ranges’ summits, the rock thickness model is model the x-1Paragüil well where a km 2 thick (Lesta & Sylwan 2005). To the north, inthe Tandilia orementioned vitrinite reflectance data, and where Triassic to Triassic.Middle This upliftcannot be in the to sedimentaryPennsylvanian Permian rocks wever, new data alongside the reinterpretation of et al. et al. 2) in 2) which a+5 km high et al. is that at least 2 km of rocks were eroded in the et al. 2011; Pángaro Pángaro 2011; 2010), and to the data from the Paragüil x-1 2002 and references therein), and given a andgiven therein), andreferences 2002 (2007) established that a minimum of 2 et al. et et al. et 2013). 2013). anticlinestructure is (2013) established a established (2013) This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Africa South basin Karoo (Fig. described of inthe andwidely offshore in Argentinean the interpretations documentedour through system lobes submarine the inthe resulting of evolution is interpreted, in adrastic input the late increase Guadalupian basin most into the of sedimentary Lopingian to During 4.2.2 Late Guadalupian – Lopingian (approximately 260 – 254 Ma) andacting cannibalised being asasediment source. was already the western portion energy a under sedimentation, andlow regime of highstand basin was (Rocha-Campos angular unconformity. Age determinations of 281±2.5 Ma in the lower units of the Cochicó Group thefrom Cisuralian overlying to Guadalupian Cochicó volcanic andvolcanoclasticGroup rocks an by in the west SanRafael Pennsylvania block the Further conditions for over 10 My, although the southern Buenos Aires province area registered a higher rate. Gamundí López 2010; the top of the shallow marine to fluvial Tunas Formation in the Sierrasde laVentana (Alessandretti 16). Relevant pieces of data atthis timeframe ar in as x-1 (Fig. continentalthe shelf Puelche interpreted Argentinean well the into andextended Uruguay, Africa, Brazil Namibia, the part Paranábasin and South of and of encompassed southern developed InlandSea late Cisuralian the During Mesosaurus 4.2.1 Late Cisuralian (280 – 277 Ma) Gondwana. south-eastern a of the approachevolution into provide to first the Gondwanides of evolution and spatial Articleresults are displayed in Figs. 16 through 18. These were integrated with data gathered on the temporal Hesperides, integrated Paraná, for constructed the were SanRafael + the andKaroo Kalahari basins; Chacoparaná basin, this figure rises to more than basinsandbetween andKalahari Karoo the between isconsidered basins; ifcontinuity and Karoo Hesperides sq. the encompassing km, 1,950,000 excess of in been is Africa have South to the basin interpreted America and of over originalextent South The infrontGondwanides. which of the evolved depocentre the upper continuity Palaeozoic of remarkable (Fig. basinin context south-western Gondwana 13); led this the ofthe to the Hesperides realisation All aforementioned interpretations allowed the recons Gondwana 4.2 Palaeogeographic evolution of the Hesperides basin and its integration into the south-western Fig. curves of in 15. subsidence is observations the resultsummarised of these The event. denudation subsidence curves at the Sierras de la Ventana should take into account the Mesozoic/Cenozoic regional areas, so neighbouring to canbeextended denudation process, this of amount uplift and erosion related et al. et 2006) allow interpreting that while the eastern part of the Gondwanides foreland et al. et 2013); these observations are in accordance with low sediment supply observations supply with inaccordance low are 2013); these sediment e the 274.3±4.8 and 280±1.9 age determinations near 3,100,000 sq. km. Regional palaeogeographic palaeogeographic maps Regional sq.km. 3,100,000 (Werner 2006 andreferences fully was 2006 therein) (Werner the Hesperides and the eastern part of the n toCisuralian ElImperial Formation is separated truction of the potential original extent of the et al. et

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. 2002). analogues for this system in terms of scale and inESEkm 1,500 Modern basins,some eastern Carapacha direction. the Karoo andthe between area the have encompassed agiganticthat fansystem submarine might of scenario thethis evolution was asproposed byLindeque coast, then 400 to 300 km south of the Colorado basin, San inalineformed the south Carapachabasinarea, ofRafael the by Lopingian area, continuing slightly Considering the aforementioned, we envisage an orogenic front placed during the Guadalupian to Mosquera & Ramos (2006) as interpreted by Pángaro & Ramos (2012). proposal rocks, the confirming of sedimentary Palaeozoic the overriding basement lower crust shows of the Palaeozoic orogenic core south of the Colorado in shelf presenceand in continental Agulhasplateau Africa.The South thethe Argentinean sediments of orogen the Palaeozoic upper of evolution and spatial reconstruction of the geodynamic scenario. East of areas (Von Gosen Chernicoffand Yaminué 2003; The fact that Permian deformation in North Patagonian Massif rocks of Argentina, hence implying a1,500 km transport into the Karoo Basin. Van Lente (2004), who interprets that the sediment source for these formations shows affinity to the as by established Ecca inthe depocentres upper Laingsburg Group units andTanqua of the composition piece of data at this timeframe isthe absence of Cape Granite suite and Cape Supergroup clasts in the beltfold (VanLente 2004; Prélat fans of depocent the Laingsburgsubmarine andTanqua Pángaro 2012; & Ramos (Pángaro Triassic after been have deformed Lower recordto isinterpreted sedimentary upper Permian the orogenic phase, while eastwards in the Argentinean offshore at the latitude of Buenos Aires province block San Rafael arc-related and the SanRafael volcanic with coeval deposited volcanoclastic rocks were From west to east the situation of an advancing deformation front remains as for late Cisuralian, in the al. interpretedhaveto occurredbetween and 280 265-260 Ma(KleimanJapas & 2009;LópezGamundí (late Guadalupian)(Chernicoff Ma dated 261.3±2.7 by event a rockscompressive exposed were where metamorphic Massif Patagonian south of the stud deformation of the age Gondwanides 17). While no age constraints are available within the Argentinean continental shelf to constraint the

Accepted Article 2013). et al. et al. et al. et al. 2013). Further west, in the San Rafael area an orogenic phase is (2011). From the stratigraphic point of view, the consequence of consequence the of view, From point the stratigraphic (2011). northern recorded inthe delos Viejos northern Cerro Patagonia hasbeen 2009; Flint Flint 2009; 2013). Further east, in the Karoo basin, the correlative processes are the IndusandBengal arethe processes fans(Curray et al. and somewhere south of the present day African South present south of the and somewhere et al. these localities, any possible constraint to the time lies offshore beneath the Mesozoic and Cenozoic andCenozoic Mesozoic the beneath lies offshore basin isseen inanN-Strending seismic linethat 2013) provides further constraints for the constraintsfor the further provides 2013) 2011; Lindeque y area,y intense upliftisinterpreted in theNorth res are interpreted as well to pre-date Cape pre-date the as wellto areinterpreted res et al. 2011). Another relevant relevant Another 2011). et al. et

overall regression trend that followed the This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Acceptedin the western Cape region the orogenic front penetr a &Ramos (2012) byPángaro basin, asdocumented During this time the orogenic front reached its ma 4.2.3 Late Lower Triassic to Middle Triassic (approximately 247 – 237 Ma) deformation. last of eroded been stage duringthe have must Gondwanides rocks seismi 2D basin.However, inone as seen Colorado shelfof the south continental for Argentinean inthe or inthe looked be Agulhas plateau should and later cannibalised was south feature this advance by front. the deformation of Evidences of the flexural load.Ifaclassical syn-orogenic flexural de relationship with an orogen situated to the south; but not in a foreland basin directly controlled by dynamic andin bythe inanenvironment subsidence andrebound stilldominated deposited processes, et al. Lindeque 2004; Cape (Van region nor the Lente 2012) &Ramos (Pángaro Aires province offshore Buenos recent interpretations on the Cape fold belt, the orogenic front had not reached yet the latitude of the It isimportant to point out that according to our seismic-based interpretations and models, and to the are stillelusive.tectonic evolution basin. Further east, in the Sierras de la Ventana, rocks no of this age crop out so constraints to the to sourcing probably sediments active Lopingian times, inthe was area very during Guadalupianto Ventana (Pankhurst Articleto post-tectonic igneous rocks crop out in the López Lecube area some 80 km west of Sierrasde la Between the San Rafael area and the Argentinean continental shelf, 258±2 Ma (Lopingian) late-tectonic shelf stratigraphy with that of the Karoo basin, continental the Argentinean correlation theof direct basin.Considering of rebound the consequent andthe dynamic regional driving subsidence the mechanism the of cessation the of consequence a to was Group sedimentation transition thatthe the Beaufort basinandinterpreted Karoo the adynamic for postulated subsidence model who (1999) & byPysklywec Mitrovica provided was change rocks that reflect the culmination of marine sediment fluvial sedimentary are environment composed mostly units of Group andtime Beaufort equivalent (Llambías systeman extensional (Kleiman & Japas2009) leadin area the experien San Rafael times Lopingian During 4.2.2 Uppermost Permian to Lower Triassic (260 – 247 Ma) 2011). The Beaufort Group time equivalent units within the study area in offshore Argentina were et al. 1993). At this time most of the Karoo et al. 2006). This implies that the Gondwanides-related compressive deformation Eurydesma a similar scenario canbe proposed the for former. pocentre existed at the time, it wassituated farther ximum northwards propagation into the Hesperides the propagation Hesperides northwards ximum into c line linking the Colorado andc line the linking basins, Rawson these nd Pángaro (2013) (Fig. 18). Offshore Argentina and Argentina (Fig. 18). (2013) Offshore nd Pángaro ced atransition from acompressive deformation to g to the extrusion of the Choiyoi rhyolitic plateau ated further north ated further north asaresult differential of the basin reached the maximum of the continuous continuous the of maximum the reached basin Transgression; all throughout the basin the all the Transgression; throughout ation (Fig. 18). One pioneer interpretation for this • • This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. • • • • 5. REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUDING REMARKS Fig. regional section inthe of 13. cross basin asshown a cake fold similar layer the andsouth rest to belt maintains of configuration the of that north of the Especially remarkable isthe fact that the upper portion ofthe Permian to Lower Triassic succession sedimentation syntectonic evidences of stratigraphic more than 200 km. Due to the interpreted cannibalisat the Colorado Syntaxis accommodates a differential northwards propagation of the orogenic front of inthe and BeerColorado syntaxesresulting (de Cape Ramos & Argentina 1989; Offshore Pángaro 2012). rheological response of the Dom Feliciano and Gariep belts with respect to that of the cratonic areas

Accepted Article absence of the Mesosaurus Inland Sea in Argentinean onshore during uppermost duringuppermost Cisuralian times, theonshore inArgentinean absence of InlandSea Mesosaurus Karoo basins is evident in several time frames throughout its history. Especially remarkable are the interpretations offshore. The impact of this evolution on the stratigraphy of the Hesperides and Argentina data with published onshore stratigraphic andstructuralof our integration the ispresentedthrough Gondwanides orogen ofthe andnorthwards eastwards evolution The 2009; Flint et al. 2011). et al. Tankard et al.2011; (Lindeque Belt for the Cape Fold a post evolution Triassic Lower envisage Triassic stratigraphy. This interpretation is consis as in primary to upper subsidence accommodation the Palaeozoic long the Lower term control on deformation in the orogenic front in the Argentinean offshore, led to the interpretation of dynamic an relationships, Stratigraphic basin geometry basinsisChacoparaná considered this Hesperides and Karoo basins was someof 1,950,00 in the San Rafael area and the North Patagonian Massif during late Guadalupian to Lopingian. Lopingian. Guadalupianto SanRafael area and theMassifPatagonian duringlate North in the deformation with accelerated incoincidence fan system a submarine gigantic of evolution and the basins of far basins of wider than scope envisaged previously sedimentary infillthat correlates remarkably well wi Through the stratigraphic interpretation of the Brazil andsouthern Uruguay isproposed. further interpretations. Northwards, the connection with the Paraná basin through the offshore of Azcuyet (Harrington al. authors several 1962; by into Chacoparaná basins, its data; proposed the continuity andParaná previously indirect through basin of Airesthis Buenos continuity province ishereinproposed and documented the The into was delineated. Uruguay from +7 km south of the Colorado basin to near 1 km in the Punta del Este basin area in offshore long km basin circa a basin,a 1,000 with thickness ranging previously Hesperides overlooked The shelf. gap continental Argentinean previously of non-interpreted sq. km the to LowerPalaeozoic Triassic basinsof south-western theGondwana through filling the of 250,000 The interpretations presented in this paper lead to the inter-continental integration of the upper figure rises to 3,100,000 sq. km. d theobservationaone-stage compressive of Argentinean offshore and therealisation aof were detected through our seismic interpretation. tent with recent proposals by several authors who 2007; Milani & De Wit 2008) is supported with with supported is 2008) Wit De & Milani 2007; ion of the potential flexural basin,no fore-deep potential the ion of 0 sq. km; ifcontinuity with the Kalahari and is interpreted. The origin th that theof Karoo basin,a series of linked al areal extent of the This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Revista de la Asociación Geológica Argentina, 58: 137-165. Sauce Cuenca Australes, Grande, Superior), Grande Sierras Sauce (Carbonífero Buenos Aires, Argentina. deposicional la R.R.& Torres Estratigrafía, de Ribeiro, Andreis, (2003) Formación M. evolución facies y Nacional Serie deTucumán, Correlación Universidad Tucumán.Geológica 265-298, 6: Australes, provincia deBuenos Aires. Chebli, In: A.M., J.L. Rodríguez, R.R.,Iñiguez, Lluch, & Andreis, Amsterdam. Moullade, M. &Nairn, A.E.M. (Eds.), The Phanerozoic Geology of the World. The Paleozoic, B: 339-650, In: Basins America. southern South on The S.(1996) Neo-Paleozoic R.R.&Archangelsky, Andreis, Argentina de Sedimentología, Actas 1: 135-142, La Plata. Buenos Aires, Argentina), Parte 2: Emplazamiento tectónico de las áreas de aporte. In: 4° Reunión Andreis, R.R. & Cladera, G. 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Agricultura de Sudáfrica Nación, de Sección de Ministerio Geología, La yLosAndes. montañas Keidel, J.(1916) La geología delasSierras de la Provincia deBuenos Aires susrelacionesy con las Rendu p.671 Compte International, Gebirgen. in duCongrés Session strukturen argentinischen XII° tektonischen den Géologique der verschiedenen Beziehungen unddie gegenseitigen Über dieVerbreitung dasAlter, J.(1913) Keidel, Asociación Geológica Argentina eInstituto Argentino del Petróleo, Buenos Aires. 13° Congreso Geológico Argentino y 3° Congreso de Exploración de Hidrocarburos. Relatorio: 117-134. Ramos, V.A. & Turic, M.A. (eds.) Geología y Recursos Juan, R.Del C.,De Jager, J., Russell, J. & Gebhard, I. (1996) Flanco norte de la cuenca del Colorado. In Council for Geoscience, Pretoria. 461-499. & Thomas, R.J. (eds.). The Geology of South Africa. Johnson, Anhaeusser, In: M.R., C.R. Rocks Supergroup. Karoo the Sedimentary Brandl,G. of & D.L. (2006) Article Ciencias, p.401, Córdoba. ‐ 687, Toronto. cional de Ciencias, Córdoba 2:967-983. ovincia de Buenos Aires. In: Segundo Simposio de m y 34m, Sierras de Curamalal y de la Ventana, Aires. In: A.F. Leanza (ed.), Geología Regional Geological Society and South of Africa, Johannesburg In: R. C.(ed.) Africanbasins.Selley, Sedimentary Naturales dela Plataforma Continental Argentina. c iceage: Evaluating the I., Wickens, H.,de V.,Ch , Fraiser, M.L., Koch, Z.J. Fraiser, M.L.,Koch,, , Wickens, H.,de V.,Chri , Ciccioli, P.L. & Dineen &Dineen Ciccioli, P.L. , ristie, A.D. M., Roberts, equilibrium linealtitude stie, A.D. M. & Roberts,stie,A.D. M.& This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted South American Journal Sciences, margin of of Earth Gondwana, doi: southwestern of the Permian for the evolution (Argentina): implications foldbelt Sauce basin-Ventana Grande the O.R., Fildani,A.,Weislogel, A.& López-Gamundí, Rossello, age The E. (2013) the Formation Tunas of in doi: 10.1130/2010.2468(00). and Postglacial Transgressions inGondwana: Geological America Society of Special Paper 468, p.v–viii. inGondwana, O.R. transgressions Bu inLópez-Gamundí, & O.R. glacial andpostglacial Buatois, Introduction: Paleozoic events (2010) & Late L.A. López-Gamundí, Sout basin.Journalof Varisican foreland ina of syntectonic sedimentation East-Central evidence SierrasFold Argentina: Australes belt, in the Gamundí, O.R., Conaghan,López Rossello P., Cobbold, E.A. & P.R. Tunas(1995) (Permian) The Formation 281-329, Veevers, J. & Powell, C. McA. (eds.). Geological Society of America, Memoir 184: 281-327 basins pp. belts along the Triassic and fold margin of Panthalassan westernPangean Gondwanaland, Gamundí, O.R., Espejo,López Southern I.,Conaghan, In: & America. South Permian- C.(1994) Powell, P. 227-238. AgeconstraintsGondwana: characteristics. andcommon andtuffs plateGamundí, volcanism O. (2006) inadjacentLópez Permian margin basins of west Relatorio, 1: 53–64. deHidrocarburos, Mendoza: Exploración Geología y Recursos Naturales de Mendoza, XII Congreso Geológico Argentino and II Congreso de E.J.,Kleiman,Ramos, El L.E. V.A.(Ed.), Llambías, gondwanico. J.A.(1993) Salvarredi, In: & magmatismo South265-292. implications. 114: Geology AfricanJournal tectonic of Article anomaly, magnetic and Beattie Basin Karoo southern Ch Weber, & M. T., Ryberg, M.J., Wit,A., De Lindeque, America: An overview. Journal ofSouth American Earth Sciences, 22: 134-155. Limarino, C.O. &Spalletti, L.A. (20 del Plata. Mar 217-231, 10: Hidrocarburos, de Desarrollo Legarreta, L. &Vallejo, E.L. (eds.) Frontera Explorat Lesta, P. &Sylwan, C. (2005) Cuenca de Claromec and illiticminerals duringburial diagenesis of Lanson, B., Beaufort, D., Berger, G.,Bauer, A.,Cassana Latinoamericano de Geología (Buenos Aires), actas 4: 105-121. Cuenca J. Affolter, 5º Bonaerense, G.(1982) Congreso FontInterserrana de & Argentina. Kostadinoff, Tectonophysics 473:283-299. Gondwana. of margin the southwestern of evolution for late implications the Paleozoic Argentina): Mendoza, Rafael, (San 34°-36°S at province volcanic Choiyoi The (2009) M.S. Japas, & L.E. Kleiman, 06) Paleogeography of the upper Paleozoic basins of southern South southern South basins of upper the Paleozoic of Paleogeography 06) h American Earth Sciences 8: 129-142. sandstones: a review. Clay Minerals 37: 1-22.37: a review.sandstones: Minerals Clay ó. Inó. Chebli,G.A.,Cortiñ oria de laArgentina, 6° Congreso de Exploración y South Africa: An integrated interpretation with bere, A., & Meunier, A. ( evallier, L. (2011) Deep crustal profile across the Journal of South American Earth Sciences 22: Sciences Earth American South 22: Journal of atois, L.A. (eds.), Late Paleozoic Glacial Events as, J.S.,Spalletti, L.A., 2002) Authigenickaolin This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted LuchiR.J., Rapela De M.G., RapaliniC.W., López Pankhurst, The & C.(2014) Galindo, A.E.,FanningC.M. 235–257. 76: Reviews Earth-Science Patagonia. of origin Pankhurst R., Rapela, C.,Fanning, C.&Márquez, CD.on Chapadados Guimaraes. Nacional Simpósio XIV deEstudos Tectônicos andV nas na Impacto e Gondwánides bacias durante orogenia rift oPaleozoico. dos de Gondwana mesozoicas. Pángaro, F., Ramos, V.A. & Pazos, P.J. (2013) Co and 162-183. basins.37: sedimentary southPetroleum Geology of Marine Mesozoic Atlantic evolution in and collage accretion role andthe Gondwana the their of thePatagonia southwestern pieces of New Pángaro, F. & Ramos V. A. (2012) Paleozoic crustal blocks of onshore and offshore central Argentina: Abstracts, 115-116. Neuquén. plataforma continental y sus posibles implicancias geotectónicas. 18° Congreso Geológico Argentino, ala regional del asociado la ruptura F.& en Gondwana Endomamiento Ramos, V.A.(2011) Pángaro, Geológico Argentino, Neuquén. Abstracts, 117-118. Congreso su paleozoico. 18° el y la del origen durante sobre en su impacto Gondwana configuración F.,Ramos, V.A.& Pángaro, Köhler Exactas yNaturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ph.D. thesis. 300 p. la sobre ysucontrol deCiencias deAires Facultad apertura Geológicas, Ciencias atlántica. Departamento F.(2013) Las cuencasPángaro, la atlántico episuturales Buenos de paleozoicas del de provincia margen Buenos Aires, de Cuenca Superior Ameghiniana Carbonífero Claromecó, Argentina. 37: 247-250. ArticleMorel, E. & Gutiérrez, P.R. (2000) Malanzania nana Archangelsky, Azcuy y Wagner (Lycophyta) en el London. Correlations Across the South Atlantic Region. Geolog In: Pankhurst, R.J.,Trouw, Neves,R.A.J., Brito B.B. South America of and southern Africaandtheir basin Milani, E.J. & De Wit, M.J. (2008) Correlations be interior basins of South America. Episodes 22:199-205. Milani, E.J. & Zalán, P.V. (1999) An outline of the geology and petroleum systems of the Paleozoic 97-123. 407: America Special Paper Society of lat). Geological Basin(35°-39°S Neuquén anAndean margin: of V.A.(eds.) Evolution Ramos, S.M. & InKay, Embayment. inthe Neuquén deformation A. Intraplate Ramos, V.A.& Mosquera, (2006) 33-34. Resúmenes 36: Ameghiniana, andimplications. stratigraphy biostratigraphic Argentina: base the for age New 40Ar/39Ar (1999) R.N. Melchor, 10.1016/j.jsames.2013.03.011. , G.(2011) Las cuencas delColorado Salado: nuevay interpretación nfiguração nfiguração tectônica damargemsul ocidental do tween the classic sequences the andCape Karoo tween – Paraná M. M. (2006) Gondwanide continental and collision the & De Wit, M.J. (eds.) West Gondwana: Pre-Cenozoic A tectonic and magmatic view from the Andes to the III International Symposium on Tectonics. Abstracts ical Society, Special Publications 294: 319-342, infills flankingtheGondwanides: duToit revisited. of Yacimiento Los Reyunos (Permian), Mendoza, Mendoza, (Permian), Reyunos Los of Yacimiento This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted342. North PatagonianMassif: Geochronological evidenceanfor autochthonous origin?Terra Nova, 25: 337– Tohver, deLuchi,E. & M., Cawo Rapalini, A.E.,López multidisciplinary study unitsof magmatic of theNo Did (2010) Patagonia collide with Gondwana inthe Late SomePaleozoic? a insights from deRapalini, A.E.,López Luchi, M. Martínez Dopico, London. 328, Gondwana.Terrane Processes (eds.), the Marginsof at R.J. In:Pankhurst, Leat, P.T., Vaughan, A.P.M., constraints. paleomagnetic some Late Paleozoic: the accretionaryRapalini, A.E.(2005) The history soof 40(2): 367-379. Ramos, V.A. & Naipauer, M. (2014) Patagonia: Where itdoes come from? Journal ofIberian Geology 1617–1630. 23: Research, Gondwana complex Transient andEastern fromGondwana. (Argentina): Western sources System Ventania Ramos, V.A., Chemale, F., Naipauer, M. & Pazos, Congreso Geológico Argentino. Relatorio, 473-480. M.F. Caballé, & E.Llambías, Geología (eds.) recursy Ramos, V.A. & Kostadinoff, J. (2005) La cuenca de 26: 235-251 Ramos, V.A.(2008). Patagonia: a Paleozoic continen Article(Bariloche),Actas 2:311-325. Ramos, V.A.(1984). Patagonia: ¿Un continente paleoz the Karoo Basin. Journal of Geology 107: 155-164. of evolution subsidence inthe role of subduction-induced The (1999) R.N.& J.X. Mitrovica, Pysklywec, 66–76. 232: Geology Sedimentary lobes. submarine anddimensions of morphologies, Prélat, A.,Hodgson, D.M., Fildani, Sedimentology 56: 2132-2154. Africa. Karoo Basin, South Permian the investigation from outcrop ahigh-resolution deposits: water deep- distributary andhierarchy of Evolution,architecture S.S.(2009) A.,Hodgson, & Flint, D.M. Prélat, Argentina.56. LaPampa. transgression. In:Bedatou Formation (Pensnsylvanian-Cisuralian) of the San Rafael Basin: the record of an overlooked Zoophycos Rusconi F. C.(2013) Gutiérrez P.J. & Pazos 313-328. 171: Society, the Geological Journal of of connections Patagonia. northern Gondwana et al. (eds.), Second Latinoamerican Simposyum on Ichnology. Abstracts, p. Ichnology. Simposyum on Latinoamerican (eds.), Second A. &Flint, S.S.(2010) Intrinsic controls on the range of volumes, P.J. (2013) Aprovenance study of the Paleozoic Claromecó. In de Barrio, R.E., Etcheverry, R.O., uthern South America from the latest Proterozoic to rth Patagonian Massif. Geologica Acta 8: 349-371. C., Lince Klinger, F., Gimé F., C., LinceKlinger, os minerales dela de Provincia Buenos Aires. 16° t adrift? Journal Sciences South American Earth adrift? Journal t of od, P.A. (2013) The South American ancestry of the ichnofacies in "fluvial facies" of the El Imperial oico a la deriva? 9° Congreso Geológico Argentino Geological Society, Special Publications 246: 305- nez,& Martínez, M. P. This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. H.,Werner,Stollhofen, M., Stanistree 167-180. 46: inGeology AAPGStudies space basins (eds.), Kelts and time: Lake through & R. basalts,K. flood InE.H.Gierlowski-Kordesch southernwith Karoo Namibia. interbedded deposits H.,StanistreetStollhofen, I.G. &Gerschiitz, S.(2 50:1-21. Geology, and Marine Petroleum Atlantic. inthe South Gondwana separation of inthe LIP Paraná–Etendeka the of contextualization Basin andthe Zalán,Stica M.J., P.V. & Ferrari, (2014) A.L. The evol environments of the Karoo-aged basins of Southern Smith, R.M.H., Eriksson, P.G. &Botha, W.J. (199 363-366. 41: Africa. Geology South Supergroup, calibration of Late Permian vertebrate biostratig B.S.,Erwin, S. D.H., Rubidge, J.,Bowring, Ramezani, geochronology evidence. Gondwana Research 19, 509–523. in ash source Basin: Argentina) the and their forfall deposits (W. younger Paraná U–Pb zircon SHRIMP Rosa, O.,de, C.R.(2011) 30 million years of Permian Campos,Rocha A.C., Basei, Nutm M.A., American Symposium on Isotopic Geology, Punta del Este, Uruguay. Short papers: p. 298–301. South basin,Brazil.Paraná supersequence, the 5th late calibration of Paleozoic geochronological Campos,Rocha A.C., Basei, A.P. M.A.S., Nutman, Accepted andLaingsburg of the Trends and Provenance Tanqua Permian Chemostratigraphic B.(2004) Van Lente, 286. TectonicsStructure, andGeophysics. American Ge tectonic events, magmaticdepositionand activity main Northern Patagonia: of evolution to Cenozoic Permian Late Biddle, Uliana, M.A. K.T. (1987) & Australes thrust andfold belt R.N.&Vilas,Tomezzoli, J.F.(1999) Paleomagnetic co de BuenosExploración Hidrocarburos, Congreso de Aires. Relatorio, 95-116. Recursos Naturales de la Plataforma Continental Tavella, G.F.& Wright, C.G. (1996) Cuenca delSala 1379-1412. 26: Geology and Marine of Africa.Petroleum South basins Journal of Karoo A., H.,Aukes,Tankard, R. Welsink, and Newton, E. Stettler, Cape the P., & (2009) Tectonic evolution of Geological Society of America Special Paper 441, p. 83-96. C.R.,Frank, D.,Fielding, T. (eds.) J.L. and Isbell, Carboniferous-Permian tuffs, Namibia, and theinte Article , Argentina. Geophysical Journal Interior 138: 857-870. t, I.G., & Armstrong, R.A.(2 an, A.P., an, A.P., Kleiman, L.E.,Varela, R. 3) A review of the stratigraphy and sedimentary 000) Early000) Jurassicrift-valley-related alkalinelake Resolving thelate Paleozoic Ice Age intime andspace. raphy: U-Pb zircon constraints from the Karoo & Santos, P.R. (2006) Shrimp U–Pb zircon Argentina.13° Congreso GeológicoArgentino y3° al trends. In McKenzie, (ed.)al trends.G.D. InMcKenzie, Six: Gondwana ophysical Union, Geophysical Monograph 40: 271- 40: Union, Geophysical Monograph ophysical do. V.A. TuricIn Ramos & M.A. (eds.) Geología y rcontinental deglaciation cycle framework, in ution of rifting the on the volcanic margin of Pelotas A., &de Klerk, W.J. (2013). High-precision temporal Africa. Journal African Earth Sciences 16: 143-169. 143-169. 16: Sciences African Earth Journal Africa. volcanism recordedvolcanism inthe Choiyoi igneous province nstraints on the age of deformation of the Sierras 008) Single-zircon U-Pb dating of U-Pb dating Single-zircon 008) , Llambías, E.,Canile, F.M.& da This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Interior cratonic basins.Tulsa: American Associat & Marques, A.(1990) The Basin,Paraná Zalán, P.V., Wolff, S.,Astolfi, M.A.M., Vieira,I.S.,Conc Sedimentary Research 77: 525-538. 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Karoo 439 ofUniversity Ph.D. Depocentres, Stellenbosch. , Thover, E. & Lanci, L. (2014) Architectural Styles and Sedimentology andSedimentology Styles E., Thover, Architectural (2014) & L. Lanci, E., Beaufort, D., Meunier, A., MoroA.,E., Beaufort, D.,Meunier, Brazil. In: M. W. Leighton, D. R. Kola D. Leighton, W. M. In: Brazil. glaciomarine basinfills.Sedimentology 44: 507-521. ion of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 51: 681-708. oic of the Chaco-Paraná basin, Argentina, and the oic andthe Chaco-Paraná basin, of the Argentina, Sequences, Tandilia System, Argentina.Journal of eição, J.C.J.,Appi,V.T.,Ne si, M. & Segovia L. (2007) Middle ta, D. F.Oltz, J. J. Eidel (eds.) to, E.V.S.,Cerqucira, J.R.

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted America South Article Tarija 1000 Km 1000 Paraná Claromecó La Golondrina Africa Legend 6 5 4 3 2 1 a 3 2 1 Legend 250 Km 250 6 5 4 114 9 8 7 10 3160 90 65 34 ° Pu.x-1 W 1605 1884 580 CDS.x-1 1490 617 34 80 60 60 Do.x-1 ° Pe.x-1 ° W W Gav.x-1 139

40 35 b ° ° S S

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved.

Accepted Article Epoch

Carboniferous Permian Triassic Period Pennsylvanian Cisuralian Guadalupian Lopingian Lower Middle Kasimovian Wuchiapingian Changhsingian Moscovian Sakmarian Capitanian Bashkirian Kungurian Artinskian Gzhelian Wordian Asselian Roadian Stage 323.2 259.8 247.2 237 272.3 298.9 252.17 ± ± ± ± ± 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.15 0.06 Eurydesma Transgression Eurydesma San Rafael basin San Rafael Lower Choiyoi Gr. Upper Choiyoi Gr. 12 El Imperial Fm. Cochicó Gr. AB Q P Co. C Puesto Viejo Fm. 281.1 2 2 1 265 297.2 ± ± 2.5 2.6 2.6 ± Sierra de la Ventana la Sierra de 5.2 retrogradational surface retrogradational Guadalupian-Lopingian

Legend SROF 3 Low energy anoxic sediments anoxic energy Low siltstones and shales marine Open Siltstones/very fine sand fans submarine or sandstones Shelf environment Deltaic environment Fluvial Sauce Grande Fm. P Az Fm. B+T fms. Puelche x-1 Puelche 4 5 274.3 280 Argentinean offshore Argentinean ± ± 1.9 4.8 well data well ? Cruz del Cruz Sur x-1 Diamictites or or glacially-influenced. Diamictites ocncadvlailsi rocks and volcaniclastic Volcanic Continental Marine and marginal marine marginal and Marine Generalised palaeocurrent direction palaeocurrent Generalised 6 6 6 7 7 Striatites Crisatisporites Lundbladispora? Potonisporties TC CV etr ae–20 – Cape Western Karoo Basin Dwyka Gr. Ecca Gr. Beauf. Gr. Prince Albert Fm. WH Col Vischkuil/TierbergFm. Laingsburg Fm. FB+W . 10 Ma 9 9 8 9 10 10 10 9 8 9 254 280.5 10 270.1 8 8 274.8 277.2 289.6 290.9 288.0 ± 299.2 262.8 302.0 252.7 297 279.1 3.2 atr ae–24 CapeEastern – ° ± ± 2.1 ± 2 ± ± ± E ± ± ± ± ± 1.5 1.4 3.8 1.8 1.7 ± ± 3.0 3.0 2 3.2 3.2 3.0 2 1.5

Dwyka Gr. Ecca Gr. Beaufort Gr. Basin Karoo Prince Albert Fm. WH Col Ripon FB+W fms. Adelaide Tarkastad Subgr. 11 11 ° 261.24 256.25 30 ´ ± ± 0.5 2.1 E

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Article Puelche x-1 Cruz del Sur x-1 Potonieisporites Lundbladispora + Cristatisporites Striatites CV pal. TC palynological biozones biozone assoc. assoc. Gamma Ray Gamma 0 o drilled Not ° o drilled Not API 200 Acoustic traveltime (µ sec/ft) impedance Acoustic Acoustic (kPa.s/m) seismogram Synthetic retrogradational surface retrogradational Guadalupian-Lopingian Base of Guadalupian of Base Deglaciation seq. seq. Deglaciation 3 seq. Deglaciation 4 Deglaciation seq. 2 Legend progradational trend Base of retrogradational trend Base of Regressive surface Flooding surface Maximum flooding surface Sakmarian F.S. Sakmarian transgression lobe complexes lobe progradational progradational Eurydesma

1000 m

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Article Gamma Ray 0 ° API 4000 200 Core Core 3800 Core 3000 Core 3400 Core 2600 # 4 # 2 # 5 # 3 # 1 aaooc–Mesozoicunconformity Palaeozoic – transgression Eurydesma MFS MFS

DS 2 DS 3 DS 4 TST HST TST HST TST HST 200 m

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. 10 cm 4 Accepted0 2 5 m 10 cm Article

Box 1 Box 2 Box 3 Box 4 Box 5Box 6Box 7Box 8 Base Base o o o o o Box 6 Box 5 Box 4 Box 3 Box 2 Box 1 Box 1 Box 2 Box 3 Box 4 Box 5 Box 6 Box 5 Box 4 Box 3 Box 2 Box 1 Box matrix. limolitic to Shaly clasts. mudstone Fluidized clasts. metamorphic and Igneous para-breccia. Massive Massive para-breccia. Maximum clast size 8 cm. 8Massive para-breccia.clast sizeMaximum Massive para-breccia.Maximum clast size is 1 cm. shales. carbonaceous and siltstones shales, of intercalation Thin deformation. sediment Soft breccias. and siltstones shales, intercalated Thinly 5 mm. is size clast Maximum intercalations. siltstone laminated and levels micro-dropstone Frequent 1 mm). than thinner (laminae shales laminated Thinly intercalations. siltstone laminated and levels micro-dropstone Frequent 1mm). than thinner (laminae siltstones and shales laminated Thinly cm. 4Massive para-breccia.clast sizeMaximum sediment deformation. sediment soft with clasts mud Occasional layers. siltstone bedding convolute interbedded and Para-breccia deformation. Maximumcm. clast size3 is sediment soft with para-breccia Massive Massive para-breccia. Clasts up to 20 cm. 20 to up Clasts para-breccia. Massive 1 2 Box 7 Top Top 3 Detail of box #4 box of Detail Q V G M

M

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. 4200 4100 4000 3900 12 8 Depth in km 4 0

Accepted Article1 0 S Legend 4. Undifferentiated pre-Upper Carboniferous pre-Upper Undifferentiated Pennsylvanianto Lower Triassic sedimentary4. rocks rocks sedimentary stage Rift 3. sedimentaryrocks Drift stage 2. 1. 1 200 200 CSSB 1 CSSB3 CSSB 2 CSSB ° API Rift – drift unconformity drift – Rift unconformity rift – Pre-rift CSB 7 CSB 8 CSB 10 CSB 1 CSB 2 CSB 3 CSB 4 CSB 6 2

20 km

LST TST HST LST HST+TST 3 3400 3800 3700 3600 3500 2 0 4 200 200 CSSB 5 CSSB 4 CSSB 3 ° CSB 12 CSB 13 CSB 11 API CSB 14 CSB 18

CSB 17 CSB 15 CSB 16

2

HST LST TST HST LST TST 3200 3400 3300 0 0 3 200 200 200 200 CSSB 6 CSSB CSSB 7 ° API CSB 20 CSSB 8 CSSB CSB 19 ° API

3

HST HST HST HST

TST LST TST FSST LST 100 m 100

TST+ TST+

2 Upper Palaeozoic 1.500 km outcrops Puelche x-1Puelche 2 survey 8.500 km Digicom-1995 Digicom-1995 Cruz Sur del x-1 3 Pejerrey x-1 2 4 2 N

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Legend

AcceptedNO Article 2 sec submarine lobecomplex Base of Guadalupian diamictites Pennsylvanian of Base FS Sakmarian retrogradation Lopingian – Guadalupian of Base syn-rift of Base Diamictites shales marine Open siltstones marine Open marine sandstones marginal and Marine sandstonessiltstones and environment Fluvial & sandstones ? 12 Km 12 MFS RS MFS

2 km

1 2 km b S 3 Km a 1 Sec 3 Km c 15 km 2 1 3 SE Guadalupian-Lopingian Guadalupian-Lopingian udlpa LopingianGuadalupian – submarine fans submarine fans submarine 2 1 3

3 2 Lower Triassic 1 N

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. 7020 m A 0 km Legend Depth in metres a 10000 -2000 8000 6000 4000 2000 -2000

Accepted8000 6000 4000 2000 Article 0 0 5 5 5 00 50 150 250 350 5 4 3 2 1 6 Paragüil x-1 Paragüil Downthrown etn odbelt Ventana fold Locality B Locality B Upthrown 10 12 11 9 8 7 Hesperides basin Hesperides Hesperides basin 300 60º W oaiyB Locality 4500 m 260 km Pu.x-1 Karoo LIP Karoo 200 Time Ma Time Rift I Rift I Etendeka LIP CDS.x-1 100 4 km Pe.x-1 Marine transgression Marine 2300 m 550 km 550 b Drift Drift Do.x-1 200 km 200 Gav.x-1 200 Km 2000 m 645 km Pre-Penn. c Top K Top bottom Lwr. Tr Lwr. Lop FS Top K 40º S Penn. Base Top Jur. bottom Sea Sea rift B

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Article Depth in metres -2000 -2000 6000 4000 2000 4000 6000 2000 0 0 5 5 5 00 50 150 250 350 5 5 5 00 50 150 250 350 Sierra VentanaSierra de la Parangüil x-1 Parangüil Hesperides basin Hesperides basin 274,3 300 300 Cisuralian ± Late Late 4,8 Ma 4,8 Ventana FB GO 200 200 itSgI Rift+Sag Scenario b Scenario a Scenario itSgI Rift+Sag Time Ma Time Karoo LIP Karoo Etendeka LIP Red Conglomerate Legend 100 100 Sedimentation Interpreted subsidence Interpreted Reliable subsidence point control Interpreted point control Reliable Erosion Penn. Pre- Penn. Base Cis. Late Pleist.

This article is protected Allrights bycopyright. reserved. Accepted Article