Geology topics

Research about Peru

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Peru.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

USGS1997

The effect of grain size and surface area on organic matter, lignin and carbohydrate concentration, and molecular compositions in Peru Margin sediments

A C-rich sediment sample from the Peru Margin was sorted into nine hydrodynamically-determined grain size fractions to explore the effect of grain size distribution and sediment surface area on organic matter content and composition. The neutral monomeric carbohydrate composition, lignin oxidation product yields, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen contents were determined independently for each size fraction, in addition to sediment surface area and abundance of biogenic opal. The percent organic carbon and percent total nitrogen were strongly related to surface area in these sediments. In turn, the distribution of surface area closely followed mass distribution among the textural size classes, suggesting hydrodynamic controls on grain size also control organic carbon content. Nevertheless, organic compositional distinctions were observed between textural size classes. Total neutral carbohydrate yields in the Peru Margin sediments were found to closely parallel trends in total organic carbon, increasing in abundance among grain size fractions in proportion to sediment surface area. Coincident with the increases in absolute abundance, rhamnose and mannose increased as a fraction of the total carbohydrate yield in concert with surface area, indicating these monomers were preferentially represented in carbohydrates associated with surfaces. Lignin oxidation product yields varied with surface area when normalized to organic carbon, suggesting that the terrestrially-derived component may be diluted by sorption of marine derived material. Lignin-based parameters suggest a separate source for terrestrially derived material associated with sand-size material as opposed to that associated with silts and clays.

Pacific Ocean, Peru Margin↗

USGS1995

Stratigraphic significance of siliceous microfossils collected during NAUTIPERC dives (off Peru, 5 °-6°S)

The geological evolution of the northern Peru convergent margin can be traced using samples collected during deep-sea dives of the submersible Nautile . In the Paita area (5°–6°S), the sedimentary sequence was intensively sampled along the main scarp of the middle slope area. It consists of Upper Miocene (7–9 Ma) to Pleistocene siltstone, sandstone and rare dolostone. The age distribution of these samples is the basis for a new geologic interpretation of the multichannel seismic line CDP3. Siliceous microfossils (both diatoms and radiolarians) show influence of both cold and temperature waters (local species mixed with upwelling ones). Diatom assemblages studied from the NP1-13 and NP1-15 dives bear a strong resemblance to assemblages from the Pisco Formation of southern Peru. Micropaleontological data from siliceous microfossils, provide evidence for two main unconformities, one is at the base of the Quaternary sequence and the other corresponds to a hiatus of 1 Myr, separating the Upper Miocene (7–8 Ma) sediments from uppermost Miocene (5–6 Ma) sediments. During the past 400 kyr, a wide rollover fold developed in the middle slope area associated with a major seaward dipping detachment fault. A catastrophic debris a valanche occurred as the results of an oversteepening of the landward flank of the rollover fold. The gravity failure of the slope, recognized by SeaBEAM and hydrosweep mapping, displaced enough material to produce a destructive tsunami which occurred 13.8 ± 2.7 kyr ago.

Pacific Ocean↗

USGS1993

Evidence for Holocene stability of steep slopes, northern Peruvian Andes, based on soils and radiocarbon dates

Radiocarbon dating and soil relationships indicate that landscapes in highaltitude glaciated valleys of the northern Peruvian Andes have been remarkably stable during the Holocene. Radiocarbon dates show that deglaciation was underway by 12 ka, and that slopes and alluvial fans at the bases of slopes were essentially stabilized by at least 8 ka. The soils consist of fine-grained loessial A horizons overlying Bw horizons in gravelly till or alluvial-fan gravel. Following deglaciation, widespread gullying took place in till on the steep (maximum angle: 37°) sideslopes of most valleys; the eroded material was deposited as fans at the bases of the slopes. Loess was then deposited as a fairly uniform blanket across most elements of the landscape. Soil formation began during or following loess deposition, and because soil-profile morphology is sufficiently similar at most sites, soil formation has been a dominant process during much of the Holocene. This remarkable stability, especially for such steep slopes, is attributed to a combination of tight packing of the till, permeability of the capping loess, rapid revegetation following ice retreat, and roots from the present grassland vegetation and possibly former forests.

Catena↗

USGS1991

An analysis of a seismic reflection from the base of a gas hydrate zone, offshore Peru

Seismic reflection data recorded near ODP Site 688, offshore Peru, exhibit a persistent bottom-simulating reflector (BSR) from a depth corresponding to the theoretical base of the gas hydrate stability field. Although gas hydrate has been recovered in cores from scientific drilling in both the Pacific and the Atlantic, drilling in areas exhibiting a BSR has usually been avoided because of the perceived risk of releasing free gas trapped beneath the hydrated sediments. To carry out a quantitative analysis of the BSR, the seismic data were reprocessed using signature deconvolution and true amplitude recovery techniques. Synthetic seismograms that were created using acoustic parameters extracted from the seismic data and physical properties from Site 688 borehole measurement were compared to the observed seismic data to estimate the thickness of the free-gas zone. Results indicate the BSR is discontinuous laterally. Where the BSR is of high amplitude, free gas in a zone 5.5-17 m thick beneath the hydrated sediments provides the observed waveform; where the BSR amplitude is low, the free-gas zone is much thinner than 5.5 m or is entirely absent.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulle↗

USGS1990

The Ag-Mn-Pb-Zn vein, replacement, and skarn deposits of Uchucchacua, Peru; studies of structure, mineralogy, metal zoning, Sr isotopes, and fluid inclusions

Uchucchacua is an Ag-Mn-Pb-Zn vein, replacement, and skarn mineral district in the central Andes of Peru. Host rocks are massive Jumasha Formation shelf limestones of Turonian age that have been folded into an asymmetric northeast-verging anticline of Andean trend. Strata near the fold crest are cut by minor dacitic intrusions and have been displaced by a conjugate set of steep wrench faults that strike northwest-southeast and northeast-southwest. Most ore occurrences are restricted to host rocks that lie below marly limestone at the top of the middle Jumasha Formation. Vein ores located along the fracture system have formed by fissure infill and by replacement of limestone wall rocks. Larger sheetlike replacement orebodies are parallel and adjacent to a large fault. Replacement is in zones of brecciation adjacent to fault bends which were dilatent during sinistral slip of the master fracture. Such fracture belts may have been subject to paleokarst solution processes before mineralization.Four paragenetic stages have been identified. Fe, Mn, and Si were introduced at the exoskarn stage (I) as the anhydrous silicates ferroan tephroite, johannsenite, rhodonite, and bustamite. During the early main stage (II) ferroan tephroite was replaced by friedelite and magnetite under oxidizing conditions at a relatively low pH. Pb, Zn, Fe, Cu, and B were introduced; principal sulfides are pyrrhotite, Fe-rich sphalerite, Mn-rich wurtzite, alabandite, galena, chalcopyrite, and tetrahedrite. Pyrrhotite was replaced by other sulfides during later stage II. Main gangue minerals were calcite, kutnohorite, rhodochrosite, and quartz. Ag, As, and Sb were introduced during the late stage (III) in the form of sulfosalts, principally pyrargyrite. Redistribution of metals introduced at stage II resulted in the growth of Fe-poor sphalerite and alabandite accompanied by calcite gangue. Decreasing Fe contents of alabandite and sphalerite during late stage II and stage III, together with the appearance of pyrite, indicate an increase in sulfur fugacity and/or decrease in temperature over this period. The supergene stage (IV) affects the upper 30 to 150 m of most veins and involves the growth of Mn hydroxides, goethite, orpiment, marcasite, cerussite, and siderite.Distribution patterns of metal ratios and high metal values define ore bands, with a succession of antiforms and synforms. Ore-band locations are determined by vein width, itself a function of wall-rock reactivity, and fracture permeability. Metal ratio distributions in the Luz vein show symmetric dispersion of metals at right angles to the ore-band axis. Ag shows the least dispersion with progressively greater dispersion of Pb and Zn.Geologic considerations indicate mineralization at a minimum depth of 1,600 m. Most primary fluid inclusions in calcite of probable stage II origin were trapped over a temperature range of about 200 degrees to 337 degrees C (hydrostatic pressure) or about 225 degrees to 362 degrees C (lithostatic). Fluid inclusions from late stage II quartz were trapped at about 165 degrees to 205 degrees C (hydrostatic) or 190 degrees to 230 degrees C (lithostatic). Salinity ranged from 0.5 to 29.7 equiv wt percent NaCl-CaCl 2 with little relation to temperature. Calcite 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values of 0.70743 to 0.71122 extend well outside the range of values both determined for magmatic rocks of the region and estimated for the host limestones but are probably compatible with older sedimentary rocks of the mine district. Salinity levels and NaCl/CaCl 2 ratios are similar to basinal brines associated with Mississippi Valley-type deposits. It is concluded that basinal brine, expelled from the deforming Mesozoic sequence, was a significant component of the ore fluid. This fluid was probably heated by dacitic magmas or cooling dacitic intrusions; a polygenetic high-salinity magmatic-basinal fluid then rose along existing strike-slip fractures toward the mineralization site where it mixed with heated low-salinity ground water.

Uchucchacua↗

USGS1990

Diagenesis and interstitial-water chemistry at the Peruvian continental margin; major constituents and strontium isotopes

Two distinct hydrogeochemical regimes currently dominate the Peruvian continental margin. One, in shallower water (150-450 m) shelf to upper-slope regions, is characterized by interstitial waters with strong positive chloride gradients with depth. The maximum measured value of 1043 mM chloride at Site 680 at ITS corresponds to a degree of seawater evaporation of ~2 times. Major ion chemistry and strontioum isotopic composition of the interstitial waters suggest that a subsurface brine that has a marine origin and is of pre-early Miocene "age," profoundly influences the chemistry and diagenesis of this shelf environment. Site 684 at ~9°S must be closest to the source of this brine, which becomes diluted with seawater and/or interstitial water as it flows southward toward Site 686 at ~13°S (and probably beyond) at a rate of approximately 3 to 4 cm/yr, since early Miocene time. The other regime, in deep water (3000-5000 m) middle to lower-slope regions, is characterized by interstitial waters with steep negative and nonsteady-state chloride gradients with depth. The minimum measured value of 454 mM chloride, at Site 683 at ITS, corresponds to —20% dilution of seawater chloride The most probably sources of these low-chloride fluids are gas hydrate dissociation and mineral (particularly clay) dehydration reactions. Fluid advection is consistent with (1) the extent of dilution shown in the chloride profiles, (2) the striking nonsteady-state depth profiles of chlorides at Sites 683 and 688 and of 87Sr/86Sr ratios at Site 685, and (3) the temperatures resulting from an average geothermal gradient of 50°C/km and required for clay mineral dehydration reactions. Strontium isotope data reveal two separate fluid regimes in this slope region: a more northerly one at Sites 683 and 685 that is influenced by fluids with a radiogenic continental strontium signature, and a southerly one at Sites 682 and 688 that is influenced by fluids with a nonradiogenic oceanic signatures. Stratigraphically controlled fluid migration seems to prevail in this margin. Because of its special tectonic setting, Site 679 at ITS is geochemically distinct. The interstitial waters are characterized by seawater chloride concentrations to —200 mbsf and deeper by a significantly lower chloride concentration of about two-thirds of the value in seawater, suggesting mixing with a meteoric water source. Regardless of the hydrogeochemical regime, the chemistry and isotopic compositions of the interstitial waters at all sites are markedly modified by diagenesis, particularly by calcite and dolomite crystallization.

Peruvian Continental Margin↗

USGS1990

Hydrocarbon gases in Tertiary and Quaternary sediments offshore Peru; results and comparisons

Hydrocarbon gases (methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, «-butane, ethene, and propene) are present in Tertiary and Quaternary shelf, upper-slope, and lower-slope deposits of the Peruvian continental margin. Methane dominates the composition of the hydrocarbon gas at all 10 sites examined during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 112. Generation of methane is regulated by the amount of sulfate in pore water. Wherever sulfate concentrations approach or equal zero, methane concentrations increase rapidly, reaching values near 100,000 /tL/L of wet sediment at eight of the 10 sites. Methane at all 10 sites results from methanogenesis, which is inhibited where sulfate is present and microbial reduction of sulfate occurs. Hydrocarbon gases heavier than methane also are present, but at much lower concentrations than methane. These hydrocarbons are thought to result from early thermal and microbial diagenesis, based on relative gas compositions and trends of concentrations with depth. With few exceptions, the results obtained in the shipboard and shore-based laboratories are comparable for methane and ethane in sediments of Leg 112. Reanalyses of canned sediments from ODP Leg 104 and from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Legs 76 and 84 show that gas samples can be stored for as long as 8 yr, but the amounts of individual hydrocarbon gases retained vary. Nevertheless, the trends of the data sets with depth are similar for fresh and stored samples.

ODP Leg 112↗

USGS1990

Gas hydrates of the Peruvian outer continental margin

Gas hydrates were recovered during coring by Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 112 at Sites 685 and 688 on the Peruvian outer continental margin at latitudes of 9° and 11.5°S, where water depths are 5070 and 3820 m, respectively. In addition, nearby Sites 682 and 683 yielded compelling evidence that gas hydrates are present, but gas hydrates were not directly observed there. Anomalous acoustic reflectors, known as bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), on marine seismic profiles from the region also provided inferential evidence that gas hydrates are present. Geothermal gradients of about 43 and 49°C/km were calculated on the basis of relations between depths to BSRs, bottom-water temperatures, and the pressure-temperature stability field of gas hydrates. Geochemical studies revealed that methane concentrations increase rapidly with depth after pore-water sulfate concentrations have been depleted. The relationship between methane and sulfate suggests that microbial processes account for the generation of methane, and the relationship between the carbon isotopic composition of methane and dissolved carbon dioxide supports this suggestion. We believe that decreasing chlorinity in pore water from squeezed sediment at the four sites results mainly from the decomposition of gas hydrates and is a dilution artifact observed as a result of the squeezing procedure. Maximum chlorinity values at or near the surface result from excess salt that comes from the formation of gas hydrates composed of freshwater. Record alkalinity attests to the intensity of diagenetic processes and has significant effects on salinity profiles at these sites. Gas hydrates were recovered at 99 and 166 meters below the seafloor (mbsf) at Site 685, and at 141 mbsf at Site 688 in Pleistocene diatomaceous mud. Methane constitutes more than 99% of the hydrocarbon gas mixture in the gas hydrates. The volumetric ratio of methane to water in the sample from Site 685 is 100, indicating that the sampled gas hydrate is either undersaturated with respect to methane or had partially decomposed during core recovery or both. The discovery of gas hydrates in lower slope deposits of the Peruvian outer continental margin extends our knowledge of gas-hydrate formation and occurrence in the Circum-Pacific region.

ODP Leg 112↗

USGS1990

Consolidation, triaxial shear-strength, and index-property characteristics of organic-rich sediment from the Peru continental margin: Results from Leg 112

Sites 679, 680, and 681 of the Ocean Drilling Program were drilled along an east-west transect across an organic-rich, diatomaceous, coastal upwelling facies that occurs as a shelf/slope lens along the Peru continental margin. Seven 60-cm-long, unsplit core sections from these sites were tested for consolidation, triaxial shear strength, and geotechnical index properties. The testing showed that the sediment has unusually high water content, Atterberg limits, degree of overconsolidation, compressibility, and shear strength. The sediment has unusually low density and grain specific gravity. Atterberg limits, grain specific gravity, compressibility, and apparent excess maximum past stress increase linearly with organic-carbon content, which also correlates positively with diatom content. Overconsolidation measured in these tests is probably not a result of sediment erosion or slumping, but rather the result of diagenesis or interparticle bonding by organic matter. High shear strengths were measured throughout, but particularly high relative shear strengths (as indicated by friction angles and degrees of dilatancy during shear) occur near 20 mbsf. This "crustlike" behavior is probably produced by early diagenesis (perhaps including dolotomization) within the upper 20 m, and is complemented by interlocking of diatoms.

Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program: Scienti↗

USGS1983

Earthquake engineering in Peru

During the last decade, earthquake engineering research in Peru has been carried out at the Catholic University of Peru and at the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniera (UNI). The Geophysical Institute (IGP) under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS) has initiated in Peru other efforts in regional seismic hazard assessment programs with direct impact to the earthquake engineering program. Further details on these programs have been reported by L. Ocola in the Earthquake Information Bulletin, January-February 1982, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 33-38.

Earthquake Information Bulletin (USGS)↗

USGS1982

Engineering aspects of seismological studies in Peru

Large and small earthquakes occur frequently in Peru. Official institutions in charge of the study of seismological and geophysical aspects of such large natural events have a responsibility to provide engineers, planners, and government officials with basic data to implement safety measures to minimize the destructive impact of great earthquakes. The Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) is one such institution. The interest of the scientific community in earthquake studies has been high in Peru for a long period of time. In contrast, the negineering and social aspects of earthquakes have been studied only for the past decade. In retrospect, the Peruvian national long-range earthquake-study program began after the catastrophic earthquake of May 31, 1970. This earthquake triggered a large snow avalanche from Huascaran mountain, killing over 60,000 people, and covering with mud small cities and tens of villages in the Andean valley of Callejon de Huaylas, Huaraz. Since then, great efforts have been made to learn about the natural seismic environment and its engineering and social aspects. The Organization of American States (OAS)has been one of the most important agencies in the development of the program.

Earthquake Information Bulletin (USGS)↗

USGS1978

Comendite (peralkaline rhyolite) and basalt in the Mitu Group, Peru: Evidence for Permian-Triassic lithospheric extension in the central Andes

The Mitu Group consists of generally coarse clastic strata and volcanic rock of Permian and (or) Triassic age filling elongate basins that parallel the general structural trend of the Peruvian Andes. Volcanic rocks of the Mitu Group include peralkaline and nonperalkaline rhyolite and subalkaline basalt. To our knowledge, the peralkaline rhyolites are the first of this rock type reported from South America. The presence of appreciable volumes of peralkaline rhyolite and basalt, supports the interpretation that the Mitu Group was deposited in major graben structures that resulted from lithospheric extension produced by rifting or possible backarc extension.

central Andes Mountains↗

USGS1974

Episodic Cenozoic volcanism and tectonism in the Andes of Peru

Radiometric and geologic information indicate a complex history of Cenozoic volcanism and tectonism in the central Andes. K-Ar ages on silicic pyroclastic rocks demonstrate major volcanic activity in central and southern Peru, northern Chile, and adjacent areas during the Early and Middle Miocene, and provide additional evidence for volcanism during the Late Eocene. A provisional outline of tectonic and volcanic events in the Peruvian Andes during the Cenozoic includes: one or more pulses of igneous activity and intense deformation during the Paleocene and Eocene; a period of quiescence, lasting most of Oligocene time; reinception of tectonism and volcanism at the beginning of the Miocene; and a major pulse of deformation in the Middle Miocene accompanied and followed through the Pliocene by intense volcanism and plutonism. Reinception of igneous activity and tectonism at about the Oligocene-Miocene boundary, a feature recognized in other circum-Pacific regions, may reflect an increase in the rate of rotation of the Pacific plate relative to fixed or quasifixed mantle coordinates. Middle Miocene tectonism and latest Tertiary volcanism correlates with and probably is genetically related to the beginning of very rapid spreading at the East Pacific Rise.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗

USGS1971

Geological aspects of the May 31, 1970, Perú earthquake

Geological effects of the destructive May 31, 1970, Perú earthquake (Ms = 7.7) extended over roughly 65,000 km2 of west-central Perú. Earthquake-triggered slope failures of all types that occurred throughout the mountainous parts of the region extensively damaged transportation routes and irrigation canals and temporarily dammed some rivers and lakes. The geologically most important and spectacular of these, a cataclysmic debris avalanche from between 5,500 and 6,400 m altitude on the north peak of Huascarán Mountain, buried the city of Yungay and part of Ranrahirca (elevation about 2,500 m) with a loss of more than about 18,000 lives. The debris avalanche involved 50-100 million m3 of rock, ice, snow, and soil that traveled 14.5 km from the source to Yungay at an average velocity of between 280 and 335 km/hr. Exceptionally rapid movement of the avalanche is indicated by eyewitness accounts, by topographic irregularities as high as 140 m that were overridden, and locally by boulders weighing several tons that were hurled as much as 1,000 m beyond its margins. A pulse of muddy water from the debris avalanche that swept down the Río Santa 160 km to the sea inundated farms and small settlements, buried highway and railroad routes, and destroyed the diversion dam and access bridge to a major hydroelectric plant.

Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America↗

USGS1970

Macusanite occurrence, age, and composition, Macusani, Peru

Macusanite, originally believed to be a type of tektite because of its sculpture, is shown to be related to sillar of the Macusani region, Peru. K-Ar measurements establish identical Pliocene ages (4.2 m.y.) for macusanite and sillar and relate these deposits to the extensive ash flows of the southern Andes. These rocks are unique for glassy rocks in that lithium, boron, and arsenic contents are very high; cesium, rubidium, tellurium, fluorine, and tin are higher than normal; zinc, copper, chromium, and zirconium are lower than normal; and high-alumina minerals such as andalusite are present.

Macusani↗

USGS1967

A photo-mosaic of western Peru from Gemini photography

The Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and with the Raytheon Company has prepared a mosaic from photographs taken during the Gemini IX mission. The 1:1,000,000-scale photo-mosaic extends from the Sechura Desert in northern Peru to northern Chile and from the Pacific Ocean to the headwaters of the Amazon. In addition to a wide variety of geological features, such things as landslides, roads, snow fields, irrigated lands, jungle agricultural sites, archeological sites, and smoke (brush burning) have been identified on the photo-mosaic. A lineation, interpreted here as a major fault, extends across several photographs and for several hundred miles. The magnitude of this lineation was not realized until the photographs were rectified and the mosaic constructed. For many purposes this mosaic is superior to the best existing 1:1,000,000-scale conventional maps of the area. This mosaic will supplement, not replace, existing conventional maps and aerial photographs. Mosaics of photographs taken from space should be of considerable interest to the scientific community and of immense practical use in the efficient management of natural resources.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1955

The lead-zinc veins of the chilete mining district in northern Peru

Lead-zinc-silver veins in the Chilete mining district in the Department of Cajamarca in northern Peru have been worked sporadically since the 17th century, but the greatest activity dates only from 1951. The ore deposits are in a thick section of andesitic volcanic rocks that overlie with marked unconformity a sequence of Cretaceous limestone, shale, and quartz-ite. The volcanic rocks form a gently north-dipping block of apparently simple structure. The Chilete deposits are quartz-sulfide veins consisting essentially of sphalerite, pyrite, and galena in a gangue of quartz and silici-fied and pyritized andesite. Wall rocks are calcitized, chloritized, pyrit-ized, and sericitized. The veins were formed by fissure filling, breccia filling, and replacement. Veins strike either northwest or east-northeast and dip steeply. They range from a few centimeters to 4 m in width and the longest has a strike length of about 1,700 m. The veins are eut by a number of post-mineral strike-slip faults of small displacement. Thicker sections of the principal northwest-striking vein, Murcielago, tend to occur where the strike swings slightly to the north. Vein intersections are not favorable loci for ore deposition, and several intersections seem to be dis-tinctly unfavorable. Ail the veins have roughly the same combined content of lead and zinc at ail levels, but the proportion of zinc to lead increases notably at the lowest levels of exploration, 200-250 m below the outerops. © 1955 Society of Economic Gelogists, Inc.

Economic Geology↗