Tectonostratigraphic evolution of Neuquen Basin, Argentina

[摘要] The area is located in west central Argentina, east of the Andes. It was a Mesozoic backarc basin which evolved into a foredeep basin during the upper Cretaceous, when a fold and thrust belt was formed to the west. The sedimentary infill is Permo-Triassic to Tertiary, continental and marine, deposited in a generally shallow, slowly subsiding basin. The main factors that help subdivide the stratigraphy were relative changes of sea level. Detailed sequence stratigraphic analysis of the upper Jurassic to lower Cretaceous helps explain the mechanisms by which subtle stratigraphic traps may be created. Deformation in the fold and thrust belt took place from the Campanian to Pliocene, showing three distinct zones. From east to west a broad arch is followed by an intricate series of tight anticlines formed by both east and west verging thrusts. More to the west an east-verging ramp anticline is identified, involving deeper decollement surfaces.

[发布机构] Rice University