2008/09/01 by Francesco Mazzarini, Alessandro Fornaciai, Andrea Bistacchi +1 · 2 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Computer Science · #earthquake and tectonic studies #Geological and Geochemical Analysis #Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping #Geology #Volcano #Shield volcano #Caldera #Foreland basin #Lava #Stratovolcano #Volcanism #Lava field #Basalt #Crust #Geophysics #Seismology #Tectonics
paper · doi:10.1029/2008gc002037
openalex publication_date 2008/09/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Shield volcanoes, caldera‐bearing stratovolcanoes, and monogenetic cones compose the large fissural Payen Volcanic Complex, located in the Andes foreland between latitude 35°S and 38°S. The late Pliocene‐Pleistocene and recent volcanic activity along E‐W trending eruptive fissures produced basaltic lavas showing a within‐plate geochemical signature. The spatial distribution of fractures and monogenetic vents is characterized by self‐similar clustering with well defined power law distributions. Vents have average spacing of 1.27 km and fractal exponent D = 1.33 defined in the range 0.7–49.3 km. The fractal exponent of fractures is 1.62 in the range 1.5–48.1 km. The upper cutoffs of fractures and vent fractal distributions (about 48–49 km) scale to the crustal thickness in the area, as derived from geophysical data. This analysis determines fractured media (crust) thickness associated with basaltic retroarc eruptions. We propose that the Payen Volcanic Complex was and is still active under an E‐W crustal shortening regime.