Late Cenozoic Extensional Formation of the Antofalla Depression, Southern Puna Plateau, Argentina: An Effect of Lithospheric Foundering?

Deformation within orogenic plateaus functions to establish a dynamic equilibrium between tectonic boundary stresses and plateau gravitational potential energy. Temporal changes in deformation kinematics record perturbations to boundary stresses or internal plateau processes, such as lithospheric foundering. We integrate new mapping, field observations, and geochronologic ages with published data to document complex late Cenozoic upper crustal deformation in the region of the Antofalla depression, a similar to 125 km long, sublinear basin within the southern Puna orogenic plateau, Argentina. The juxtaposition of stratal ages across the depression requires >900 m vertical offset on a surface-breaking fault. Regional geologic structure, basin geomorphology, and our observation of a breccia paralleling the depression margin suggest formation of the depression by normal faulting. We interpret published stratigraphic logs to suggest that the depression formed between ca. 16 and 11 Ma following Andean shortening. Folded Late Miocene to Quaternary strata on the eastern depression margin indicate that extension ended and shortening resumed before present, revealing toggling between extensional and contractional kinematic regimes. The kinematic evolution of the Antofalla depression contrasts with the rest of the southern Puna plateau, which underwent shortening until latest Miocene to Quaternary time, followed by extension and strike-slip deformation. Taken together, the spatial and temporal variations in late Cenozoic deformation of the southern Puna plateau are inconsistent with mechanisms that would affect the entire orogen, such as slowing convergence, but are compatible with lithospheric foundering.

Automated summary

This study documents complex late Cenozoic upper crustal deformation in the Antofalla depression of the southern Puna orogenic plateau, Argentina, which includes basin formation by normal faulting and toggling between extensional and contractional kinematic regimes. These findings contrast with the deformation features in other areas of the Puna plateau and suggest a possible association with lithospheric foundering.