Proterozoic Siliciclastic metasediments in Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan: Provenance and tectonic setting

Abstract

Metasedimentary rocks of the Caucete Group outcropping at the western slope of Sierra de Pie de Palo are an important key to understand the geological evolution of the western margin of Gondwana during late Proterozoic - early Paleozoic times. This metamorphic sequence is in tectonic contact with the mesoproterozoic-age Pie de Palo Complex through Las Pirquitas Fault. The Caucete Group is composed by two major units, one of siliciclastic nature and the other of carbonates. Between Las Pirquitas y La Petaca valleys this group has been divided in four different units based on detailed field work laboratoy studies. The siliciclastic part of the sequence included the El Quemado Quartzite which is interlayered with La Paz Formation, a volcaniclastic unit. The carbonate sequence is composed by El Desecho Formation (carbonate sandstones and siltstones with dolomite marbles), and by the Angacos Limestone. First geochemical data are used to compare El Quemado Quartzite and La Paz Formation with the metagreywaques units of Pie de Palo Complex. Mineralogical composition of these rocks has played an important role in geochemical behavior of the major oxides. Meanwhile, heavy minerals concentrated trace and RE elements and sedimentary processes constrain their distribution in this type of rocks. The siliciclastic rocks have an upper continental crust provenance, this weathered source area is characterized by dominant felsic component associated with partially evolved magmatic arc acting as the source area. A continental platform is interpreted as the depositional environment site for these sediments during late Proterozoic-time (670 Ma, U/Pb detrital zircon age).