SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.66 issue4Optical and radar spatial remote sensing application for geological analysis and mineralized areas detection in the central part of the Deseado Massiff, Santa Cruz provinceGypsum classification based on ASTER images in the Principal Cordillera of Mendoza author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

  • Have no cited articlesCited by SciELO

Related links

  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO

Share


Revista de la Asociación Geológica Argentina

Print version ISSN 0004-4822

Abstract

MAZZONI, Elizabeth  and  RABASSA, Jorge. Inventory and classification of basaltic occurrences of Patagonia based on satellite images and G.I.S, province of Santa Cruz. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2010, vol.66, n.4, pp.608-618. ISSN 0004-4822.

Basaltic plateaus are a typical feature of the Patagonian landscape. Their origin is associated with basaltic flows that took place in different effusive periods of the Tertiary and Quaternary. According to the age, morphology of the different lava fields has been modified by different erosion processes. The oldest basaltic flows were elevated tens to hundreds of meters by "relief inversion processes". In the contact zone between the basaltic flow and the underlying rock, springs are originated that provide an extra water input to the extra-Andean Patagonian environment, favouring the development of meadows (mallines), a natural resource of high economic, ecological and scenic value. With the aim of providing a tool for evaluating the hydrological importance of meadows, a survey of these volcanic landforms was conducted in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. Digital processing and visual interpretation techniques were applied on satellite images of medium spatial resolution. The results were expressed into maps and by means of databases, and the information was incorporated into a GIS environment. Data obtained for each basaltic feature, regarding topographic, geological and geomorphological aspects, area of the lava plateau and presence of meadows on their slopes and proximal areas, were statistically analyzed. The information obtained provided us with a general characterization of these landforms and allowed us to design a classification system whose importance in the location and development of meadows was confirmed.

Keywords : Patagonia; Volcanic relief; Basaltic plateaus; Classification; Cartography.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )

 

Creative Commons License All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License