U-Pb Geochronology, Geochemistry and Kinematic Analyses of Subduction-Related Late Triassic Basins in Northern Chile (24.5º-26ºS).

Abstract:

In northern Chile (24.5°-26°S) two Pre-Andean depocenters crop out: the Cifuncho basin in the Coastal Cordillera and the Profeta basin in the Precordillera. These basins have been classically interpreted as a continental rifting unrelated to subduction during the period prior to the Andean orogenic cycle. However, recent petrographic and geochemical data suggest the development of these basins in an active subduction system. In order to test this hypothesis and to establish the geologic evolution of the basins and the strain field during the rifting process, we present preliminary U-Pb geochronological and geochemical data together with structural analyses of synrift structures.

The geochronological data along the Cifuncho and Profeta basins, show a main continental sedimentary deposition during the Norian to Raethian. Volcanosedimentary rocks show a main detrital supply of Early Permian age (~297-283 Ma). This input can be associated with the volcanic La Tabla Formation and/or the exhumation of Permian granitoids. A minor supply close to ~478 Ma is related to a source from the Lower Ordovician arc (~480 Ma), suggesting the tectonic exhumation of this source to the east of the Profeta basin during the Late Triassic.

On the other hand, structural analysis was carried in third and four order extensional faults (<10 m of slip) along the Profeta basin. Most of the faults show a clear synrift character with the development of fault controlled growing strata. The kinematic analyses evidence a variability in the orientation of the maximum strain axes from a main northwest to a subordinate northeast direction of extension.

Thus, the intimate relation between the continental sedimentary deposition and a proximal volcanism of intermediate composition and calk-alkaline affinity, suggests the development of these basins in a supra-subduction setting during the Late Triassic. Structural data probably reflect local variation in the strain field across the basins.