Multi-Method Chronometric Constraints on the Thermal
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Multi-Method Chronometric Constraints on the Thermal, Structural and Morphotectonic Evolution of the Eastern and Western Sierras Pampeanas with Special Emphasis on K-Ar Dating of Fault Gouges Dissertation zur Erlangung des mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Doktorgrades „Doctor rerum naturalium“ der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen im Promotionsprogramm Geowissenschaften der Georg-August University School of Science (GAUSS) vorgelegt von Frithjof Alfons Bense aus Braunschweig Göttingen 2012 Betreuungsausschuss Prof. Dr. Siegfried Siegesmund Abt. Strukturgeologie and Geodynamik Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Dr. Klaus Wemmer Abt. Isotopengeologie Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Mitglieder der Prüfungskommission Referent: Prof. Dr. Siegfried Siegesmund Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Korreferent: Dr. Georg Grathoff Abt. Ökonomische Geologie and Mineralogie Institut für Geographie and Geologie der Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald Weitere Mitglieder der Prüfungskommission Prof. Dr. Bent T. Hansen Abt. Isotopengeologie Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Prof. Dr. Jonas Kley Abt. Strukturgeologie and Geodynamik Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Prof. Dr. Sharon Webb Abt. Experimentelle and Angewandte Mineralogie Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Dr. Klaus Wemmer Abt. Isotopengeologie Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 26/01/2013 Preface Preface The thesis presented here is part of the DFG project SI438/31-1, which is focused on the investigation of the thermochronological, structural and morphological evolution of the Sierras Pampeanas in central and northwest Argentina between 26°S and 34°S latitude. Because of the sheer size of the study area being approximately 1000 x 500 km, a large number of samples to be prepared and analyzed and the complexity of the methodological tools involved, as well as the laborious and time-consuming sample preparation, the project has been handled collaboratively by two PhD students (Stefan Löbens 2012 and thesis presented here). Where possible and/or reasonable, the methodological work was divided between colleagues. S. Löbens performed the apatite fission-track analyses, while the analysis and dating of fault gouges was my responsibility. (U-Th)/He dating was performed in a collaboration in which S. Löbens handled the apatite dating, while the zircon dating and mass spectroscopy was performed by me. Additionally, key aspects of the basic research goals were assigned to both of the theses. While the work of Löbens (2012) concentrates on the thermal history of the western and northern Sierras Pampeanas, the thesis presented here focuses on the thermal evolution of the Eastern as well as parts of the Western Pampean ranges (see Chapters 3-5 and 7). The main focal point is set on the investigation of gouge-bearing fault systems (Chapters 5 and 6). The focus of both theses is also well illustrated by the first-authorship of priorly published and submitted papers (see list below). Structure of the Thesis The Chapters 1 and 2 give a general introduction and methodological overview. Chapters 3 to 5 present and discuss the results of detailed thermochronological and geochronological studies. Each chapter is comprised of a brief introduction to its specific scope as well as a brief recapitulation of regional and geological aspects involved. Chapters 3 to 5 focus on individual mountain ranges of the southern Sierras Pampeanas and roughly follow a geographical line through the study area from the east to the west. Chapters 6 and 7 synthesize results from fault-gouge analyses and thermochronological investigations of the entire Sierras Pampeanas, also incorporating findings from Löbens (2012). Chapter 8 summarizes the most important conclusions drawn by this thesis. Finally, Chapter 9 gives a brief outlook on ideas for potential further studies raised within the scope of this study. Chapter 1 gives a general introduction, elucidating the aims of this thesis as well as summarizing the regional geology and the current state of scientific knowledge of the geodynamic, morphotectonic and thermochronologic evolution of the Sierras Pampeanas. i Preface Chapter 2 gives a methodological introduction to the thermochronological and chronological tools used. The principles of (U-Th)/He dating on zircon and apatite, apatite fission-track analyses and K-Ar illite fine-fraction dating are illustrated. An approach to forward and inverse modeling of thermochronological data is also elucidated. Chapter 3 presents a study of the southern Sierra de Comechingones. It depicts thermochronological data from the Yacanto area as well as K-Ar illite fine-fraction ages from fault gouges in the Merlo area. Findings from both methods are interpreted and discussed in relation to established cooling and uplift scenarios. This chapter was written in collaboration with Stefan Löbens (see Löbens 2012). Chapter 4 represents a study from the southern Sierra de San Luis. It presents thermochronological and fault-gouge analysis data from an elevation profile in the Nogolí area. Results are discussed regionally and, along with findings from the Sierra de Comechingones (Chapter 2), summarized in a morphotectonic model for the easternmost Pampean ranges. Additionally, thermochronological implications for the development of paleolandsurfaces are discussed. This chapter was written in collaboration with Stefan Löbens (see Löbens 2012). Chapter 5 is focused on the thermal history of the Sierra de Pie de Palo, which represents the westernmost branch of the Sierras Pampeanas. Based on AFT and (U-Th)/He data, the thermochronological development of the Sierra de Pie de Palo is illustrated and discussed in a regional context. This chapter was written in collaboration with Stefan Löbens (see Löbens 2012). Chapter 6 is dedicated to the analyses of gouge-bearing brittle fault zones in the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas. The data presented are derived from several methodological approaches, e.g. clay mineralogy, illite polytype quantification and K-Ar illite fine-fraction dating, as well as structural observations of gouge-bearing fault systems. In addition to data presented in Chapters 2 and 3, new data are presented from almost all ranges of the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas. Detailed discussion of results is focused on both regional and methodological aspects. The latter include a thorough review of existing K-Ar fault-gouge analysis concepts as well as a discussion of possibilities for cross- evaluation of illite ages with results from other methods, e.g. thermochronology, geochronology and illite mineralogy. Chapter 7 presents new data from key positions in the Sierras Pampeanas, which allow us to extend the regional interpretations and thermal evolution models, discussed in Chapters 3 to 5, to the entire Pampean region. Results reveal significant differences in the Late Paleozoic to Neogene post- accretional cooling history between the northern, central and southern Pampeanas ranges. Spatially and timely differences in thermal history are illustrated and discussed in relation to main geodynamic and tectonic events as well as to established geological hypotheses. The results are condensed into a cooling and exhumation history model for the entire Sierras Pampeanas. This chapter was written in collaboration with Stefan Löbens (see Löbens 2012). ii Preface Chapter 8 thoroughly summarizes conclusions which can be drawn from results presented in the Chapters 3 to 7 concerning (a) the geological, thermochronological and morphological evolution of the Sierras Pampeanas and (b) methodological aspects and interpretational models of the K-Ar illite fine-fraction dating technique, as well as their significance in terms of dating brittle deformation events. Chapter 9 presents a brief outlook, suggesting methodological approaches for further studies to (a) further constrain the low-temperature thermal history and morphotectonic evolution of the Sierras Pampeanas as well as (b) to further extend and evaluate the validity of illite fault-gouge analysis data. This thesis incorporates the following publications and manuscripts: Löbens, S., Bense, F.A., Wemmer, K., Dunkl, I., Costa, C.H., Layer, P. and Siegesmund, S. (2011): Exhumation and uplift of the Sierras Pampeanas: preliminary implications from K–Ar fault gouge dating and low-T thermochronology in the Sierra de Comechingones (Argentina). International Journal of Earth Sciences, 100: 671‐694. Löbens, S., Sobel, E.R., Bense, F.A., Wemmer, K., Dunkl, I. and Siegesmund, S. (2013): Refined thermochronological aspects of the Northern Sierras Pampeanas. Tectonics, 32(3): 453-472 Bense, F.A., Wemmer, K., Löbens, S. and Siegesmund, S. (in press): Fault gouge analyses: K-Ar illite dating, clay mineralogy and tectonic significance – A study from the Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina. Submitted to the International Journal of Earth Sciences. DOI: 10.1007/s00531-013- 0956-7 Bense, F.A., Löbens, S., Dunkl, I., Wemmer, K., Costa, C.H. and Siegesmund, S. (in review): Exhumation history and landscape evolution of the southeastern Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina – a low-temperature multichronometer approach. Submitted to the Journal of South American Earth Sciences. Löbens, S., Bense, F.A., Dunkl, I., Wemmer, K. and Siegesmund, S. (in review): Thermochronological