Structural characteristics of the southern sector of the Malargüe fold and thrust belt (35°-36°S): Distribution of the shortening and in fluence of previous structures

Abstract

The deformational mechanisms for basement-involved structures are analyzed in the southern sector of the Malargüe fold and thrust belt between 35° and 36°S. We constructed 15 balanced cross-section, of 75 km length that allow us to study the complex spatial interaction between deformation in the Late Triassic to Cenozoic sedimentary cover and the structural basement, composed mainly of Paleozoic metamorphic and igneous rocks. Our analysis shed some light into the degree of influence of preexisting structures in the Andean deformation, as well as the relationship between high and low angle basement structures, the deformational mechanisms and the amount of shortening. Among the controls of thickand thin-skinned interaction mechanisms are: (1) rheologic and thicknesses variations of the Mesozoic cover; (2) strain rate; and (3) presence of preexisting structures. The first control is pointed out by the variations in mechanic anisotropy and thickness of the sedimentary cover in the western sector of the belt, which favored the fault-bend folding mechanism with high p/s ratio. On the other hand, low strain rate would favor triangular shear folding with low p/s ratio. The presence of preexisting faults could either favor or prevent the fault-bend folding with high p/s ratio, depending on the geometry of the previous structure relative to Andean compression direction.