The importance of a multivariable (tectonism, climate, volcanims) and integral analyses in foreland sytems: Implications and perspectives

Abstract

The study of Earth systems is continuously evolving and recent advanceshave pointed out that multivariable analyses carried out by a multidisciplinary workgroup seem to be crucial to face new challenges which arise by the currentgeological research. In this sense, when studying paleo-climatic conditions andchanges that took place in the past, is important to consider the other factors that are also controlling the stratigraphic record. We present a multivariable and integralanalysis of a retroarc system which is called the Patagonian broken foreland.Through a multiapproach study, which includes basin analyses, stratigraphy,sedimentology, paleopedology, structural geology, tectonism, geochronology andmagnetostratigraphy, we have detected multi-scale changes in the geological record(environmental signals) that are related to variations in the external factors whichcontrol the generation and the evolution of the north Patagonian foreland basins.Our findings indicate that tectonism, climate, and volcanism are the main externalforces that control the detritus generation, transportation and accumulation, as wellas accommodation space, paleoenvironmental conditions and depositional systems.Furthermore, there are important interactions between the external forces that canproduce multi-scale processes, such as a) orographic barrier uplift and rain shadowgeneration, b) the competition between the external forces to generate detritus andc) the main conditions which rule the sediment routing system from source to sink.