Late Quaternary morphodynamics in the Quebrada de Purmamarca, NW Argentina

Abstract

This study aims to document the geomorphic, sedimentary and paleopedogenic archives in the Quebrada de Purmamarca. The paleoenvironmental interpretation of these archives and the reconstruction of landscape evolution are mainly based on field observations and geomorphological mapping(May 2008).A seriesof aggradational terraces mostly consisting of coarse debrisflow deposits are the main focus of this investigation. While the associated cut-and-fill processes are probably the result of an interplaybetween climatic and tectonic controls, the deposition of the youngest terrace level(>150m thickness) may likely be attributed to a drop of the periglacial belt of more than 1000 meters below its mo..