RESUMO

The Andean cordillera was constructed during compressive tectonic events, whose causes and controls remain unclear. Exploring a possible link to plate convergence has been impeded by the coarse temporal resolution of existing plate kinematic models. Here we show that the Neogene evolution of the Andean margin is primarily related to changes in convergence as observed in new high-resolution plate reconstructions. Building on a compilation of plate finite rotations spanning the last 30 million years and using noise-mitigation techniques, we predict several short-term convergence changes that were unresolved in previous models. These changes are related to main tectono-magmatic events and require forces that are compatible with a range of geodynamic processes. These results allow to revise models of ongoing subduction orogeny at its type locality, emphasizing the role of upper plate deformation in the balance between kinematic energy associated with plate motion and gravitational potential energy stored in orogenic crustal roots.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Primitive olivines from the monogenetic cones Los Hornitos, Central-South Andes, preserve dendritic, skeletal, and polyhedral growth textures. Consecutive stages of textural maturation occur along compositional gradients where high Fo-Ni cores of polyhedral olivines (Fo92.5, Ni ~3500 ppm) contrast with the composition of dendritic olivines (Fo < 91.5, Ni < 3000 ppm), indicating sequential nucleation. Here we present a new growth model for oscillatory Fo-Ni olivine zoning that contrasts with the standard interpretation of continuous, sequential core-to-rim growth. Olivine grows rapidly via concentric addition of open-structured crystal frames, leaving behind compositional boundary layers that subsequently fill-in with Fo-Ni-depleted olivine, causing reversals. Elemental diffusion modeling reveals growth of individual crystal frames and eruption at the surface occurred over 3.5-40 days. Those timescales constrain magma ascent rates of 40-500 m/h (0.011 to 0.14 m/s) from the deep crust. Compared to ocean island basalts, where dendritic and skeletal olivines have been often described, magmas erupted at arc settings, experiencing storage and degassing, may lack such textures due to fundamentally different ascent histories.