Estructuras y entrampamientos plio-pleistocenos (tardíos) en la plataforma deformada mendocina, lindero de piedra, Cuenca Neuquina

Abstract

Lindero de Piedra oil block,from northeastern Neuquén basin, is located 15 km NE of Malargüe cityin Mendoza Province. In this sector of theMendoza platform, very young mineralized anticlineswerestudied through interpretation of 3D seismic data (2017), and an analysis of their kinematic evolutionwas performed. Within the study region, three stages of folds generation are observed, each onepresenting a north-south orientation, and an in-sequence evolution towards the east. The foldgeneration is interpreted to be a consequence of inversionof normal faults during Plio-Pleistocene(Holocene?)compressional phases. We discard the influence of dikes intrusion in Mio-Pliocenetimes as deformational drivers, since seismic data show that those igneous bodies are deformedby inversion tectonics.These Pliocene-Pleistocenetraps can be considered the youngest formed inthe basin. The late formation of these structures can be linked to a late advance of the Andeanorogenic front, thatwas propitious for hydrocarbons entrapment due to coeval maturation and lateexpulsion of hydrocarbons in southern Mendoza. Likewise, rupture of Pliocene structures during thePleistocene-Holocene and the incipient traps generation at more eastward positions are observed.Accordingly, we propose the existence of an Andeancompressional phase, younger than previouslyconsidered,that could have lasted up to Holocene times.