Abstract

IBANES, Oscar D; SRUOGA, Patricia; URBINA, Nilda E  and  GARRO, José M. Volcanism and associated mineralization in the Cerro Tiporco area, San Luis province, Argentina. Ser. correl. geol. [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.1, pp.145-156. ISSN 1666-9479.

The Tiporco area is located west of the Cerros del Rosario volcanic field and 66 km northeast of San Luis city. In the Santa Isabel-Córdoba quarry, a pyroclastic sequence has been recognized (Volcaniclastitas Lomitas) lying on sedimentary rocks which belong to the Miocene Santa Isabel Formation. The stratigraphic arrangement indicates a Pliocene age. Within the sequence, upper and lower units may be distinguished, encompassing co-ignimbrite lithic breccias, surges and ignimbrite deposits. The volcanism in this area is characterized by initial explosive activity, with recurrent ignimbritic eruptions and phreatomagmatic episodes (surges), ending with the emplacement of domes and associated lava flows (Tiporco and Lomita). Both the pyroclastics and the lavas represent near-vent facies. A well defined NW-SE fault system controlled the emplacement of the volcanics. The associated mineralization consists of calcareous onyx and aragonite veins, calcite veinlets and travertine manifestations. The latter indicate a paleosurface consistent with the superficial levels of an epithermal system and very scarce erosion. In consequence, it is possible to infer the presence of metalliferous manifestations at depth as part of the same hydrothermal system.

Keywords : Tiporco; Santa Isabel; Pliocene; Volcanism; Ignimbrites; Calcareous Onyx.

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