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The Domuyo volcanic complex (DVC) and its geothermal field in the retroarc zone of the southern Central Andes of Argentina present reduced seismicity according to different catalogs (USGS and INPRES). However, in 2015/2016, a local project was carried out in the area to describe its seismo-volcanic activity, registering a large number of volcano-tectonic (VT) events (538 VT). Considering there is scarce information on these events, this study focuses on analyzing the Domuyo Volcanic Complex (DVC) to assess its seismicity. Therefore, we installed a local seismological network in the study area and compared results with data registered by other authors. Four seismological networks were used, to obtain a more precise location of the seismic events and calculate the focal mechanisms of earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 2. For the first record of crustal seismicity detected by INPRES the September 10th, 2016 with a Ml 3.3, we calculated the focal mechanism with two possible solutions: a thrust solution with a strike component and a favored normal solution with a strike component. Additionally, we relocated the largest event in the Domuyo region on March 27th, 2019, with a magnitude of 4.4 (NEIC – USGS) and focal mechanism with a normal solution and a small strike component, obtaining a shallower depth of 3.9 km instead of 10 km. The new seismological data used in this paper, correspond to September 10th 2016, and two different time periods, the first comprising continuous data from March to April 2019, when the largest registered earthquake occurred in the Domuyo region, and the second from December 2019 to January 2021. At these periods, registered seismicity had magnitudes Ml between 1.9 and 2.8, and focal depths between 1.8 and 5.2 km. Four of these events count with focal mechanisms with extensional and limited strike-slip components that are tentatively linked to the known neotectonic structures affecting the western slope of the DVC. This seismic sequence agrees with previous proposals in which degasification from a magmatic body at shallow depths constitutes the trigger factor. • First focal mechanisms in Domuyo Volcanic Complex (DVC), with principally normal solution. • DVC from 2016 to 2020 was subject to an extensional deformation. • This deformation is associated with the degasification of a shallow magmatic body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Copahue volcano host one of the most attractive geothermal resources of Argentina. Several studies focused on both the volcanic activity and the related geothermal manifestations, including a feasibility report during the '90s. However, limited, unclear and usually contradictory structural interpretations are found in the literature, and the role of the main faults over the geothermal system remains thus unsolved. This paper provides the first structural characterization and role assessment of the faults over the fluid flow and the reservoir geometry. A 3D structural model has been constructed to achieve this goal, and a fault-plane striations survey has been carried out at Anfiteatro, Termas and Maquinitas hydrothermal zones. Using this dataset, a slip and dilation tendency analysis over the main structures have been performed. The 3D structural model indicates that the Copahue geothermal field is bounded by an N60°-trending fault set and constrained to the north by the Trolope fault and to the south by the Chancho-Co fault, both with WNW-ESE trend. The collected fault-plain striations data was inverted to obtain the paleostress tensor related to the formation of the Copahue village fault system (CVFS), the structure that controls the hydrothermal areas. The subvertical maximum principal stress axis obtained defines a well constrained tensional regime, with a subhorizontal NW-SE minimum principal stress, consistent in all the surveyed locations. Both the 3D model and the inverted paleostress tensor indicate that the geothermal field, and probably the entire northeastern slope of the volcano, is subjected to an extensional faulting regime. Our analysis shows that the N°60-trending fault set is critically stressed for dilation and probably behaves as an active hydrological fault system, whereas the N105° and N135° fault sets have intermediate and low dilation tendency, respectively. These tendencies might lead to a northeast-trend fluid path between the Chancho-co and the N135° faults and might define the extension of the steam cap. We propose a compartmentalized reservoir model made up by three fault segmented blocks. While a steam cap over a deeper reservoir controlled by the CVFS characterizes the central segment, a pressurized liquid-dominated reservoir could prevail to the west of Termas and the east of Maquinas hydrothermal zones. This model explains the differences between the fumaroles inside the CVFS (i.e., Termas to Maquinas fumaroles) and outside this structural system (i.e., Anfiteatro), is consistent with the steam cap identified by the exploration boreholes and is consistent with the 3D structural framework proposed. Also, the model suggests that the collapse of the eastern slope of the Chancho-co hill might constitute the initial state of the current configuration of the geothermal system. Additional studies are needed to verify the proposed reservoir model before defining deep exploration targets, including magnetotellurics, discrete fracture network analysis, and preliminary thermodynamical models. Highlights • Geothermal field subjected to extensional stress regime(NW-SE Sh min) • N60°, N105°, and N135°-trending faults have respectively high, medium and low dilation tendency • Compartmentalized reservoir explains isotopic differences between fumaroles • Steam cap is related to the Copahue village extensional fault system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities for cross-border eruption management between Chile and Argentina, focussing on an examination of the 2011–2012 eruption of Cordon Caulle in Chile and other crises between 2012 and 2015. We discuss the differences between Chile and Argentina in volcano monitoring, eruption impacts, eruption management and governance during this timeframe. We also discuss the issues in communication of the risks and the potential for future integration at the scientific level. The study is based on 31 interviews with scientists and local officials in 2014–15 (15 in Chile and 16 in Argentina), a questionnaire survey of 128 Argentinian residents in 2015 and a questionnaire survey of 25 disaster managers and residents of Pucón during the 2015 eruption of Villarrica volcano. We conclude that in 2011–12, there were issues with communication across the border, particularly at the political level, and that there are important ways that the scientific institutions in both countries complement each other. • We present new social data concerning the 2011–12 eruption of Puyehue Cordon Caulle. • We show that the eruption was significant in the evolution of institutions and agreements between the countries. • We show that locally, there was dissatisfaction with risk communication in Argentina (which was worse affected). • We argue that the scientific institutions complement each other well but need more resourcing from government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western slope of Cerro Domuyo in northern Patagonia is characterized by thermal springs with boiling waters, Quaternary silicic domes, and pyroclastic deposits that suggest the existence of a geothermal reservoir. According to geochemical studies, the reservoir may have a temperature of 220 °C and one of the largest advective heat fluxes reported for a continental volcanic center. In this paper, we propose a more refined conceptual model for the Domuyo geothermal area, based on a geological survey supported by U Pb, U Th, and Ar Ar geochronology and by magnetotelluric and gravity surveys. Our study indicates that the Domuyo Volcanic Complex (DVC) is a Middle Pleistocene dome complex overlying middle Miocene to Pliocene volcanic sequences, which in turn cover: 1) the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Neuquén marine sedimentary succession, 2) silicic ignimbrites dated at ~186.7 Ma, and 3) the Paleozoic metamorphic basement intruded by ~288 Ma granite bodies. The volcanic cycle in the DVC is distinctly bimodal, characterized by the emplacement of massive silicic domes and less voluminous olivine basalts on its southern slope. A major collapse of the central dome at ~600 ka produced a voluminous (19.4 km3 and 133 km2) block-and-ash flow, and associated pyroclastic flows, that filled a valley to the southwest at distances up to ~30 km from Cerro Domuyo summit. This was followed by a period of intense effusive activity that formed the Cerro Guitarra, Cerro Las Pampas, Cerro Domo, and Cerro Covunco silicic domes. The last two domes are the youngest and largest edifices, dated at 0.50 Ma (Ar Ar age) and 0.25 Ma (U Th age). Pre-Cenozoic successions were affected by N-S reverse and thrust faults that were later displaced by an ENE-WSW-trending transtensional belt. The basement rocks at the northern termination of the Cordillera del Viento anticlinorium were also displaced towards the east-northeast by this belt, which is observed NNW of Cerro Domuyo. The DVC was emplaced within this zone of crustal weakness. The integration of geologic observations with magnetotelluric and gravity data, allowed us to develop an updated conceptual model of the geothermal system. The geothermal reservoir is inferred at a depth of less than 2 km within pre-Pliocene fractured rocks, bounded by ~WSW-ENE trending faults and sealed by the pyroclastic deposits and rhyolitic lavas of the DVC. The location of most thermal springs is not directly controlled by faults. Instead, flows emerge at the contact between the fractured and faulted basement and the caprock. • The Domuyo Volcanic Complex (DVC) is a silicic dome complex formed in the Pleistocene. • The central dome collapsed at ~600 ka producing a voluminous (19.4 km3) pyroclastic deposit. • The youngest domes were emplaced at ~500 ka and 250 ka. • The DVC was emplaced within a ENE-WSW trending transtensional zone of crustal weakness. • The geothermal reservoir is hosted in pre-Pliocene rocks sealed by the DVC pyroclastics and lavas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The morphologic parameters, pyroclastic deposits and evolution of maar–diatreme volcanoes are affected by the type of environment in which they are emplaced. End-member cases are a hard substrate (rocks) and a soft substrate (unconsolidated volcaniclastic or sedimentary deposits). In this paper, we present an example of a volcanic complex emplaced in a mixed hard–soft setting from the Pali Aike volcanic field (PAVF) near the Argentina–Chile border. The Plio-Pleistocene PAVF is an alkaline, mafic, back-arc monogenetic field which contains over 100 phreatomagmatic volcanoes. The studied volcanic complex contains two large coalescent maars overlain by scoria and spatter. The 1.4×1.3km East Maar has better exposures than the shallower, 1.9km-wide West Maar and seems to have been less modified by post-eruptive processes. The tephra rim of the East Maar was studied in detail and we infer it was produced mostly by base surges from phreatomagmatic eruption columns, with rare instances of intercalated scoria fall layers. Based on regional information, the general pre-maar stratigraphy is dominated by sedimentary and volcaniclastic rocks of the Magallanes Basin, including a thick poorly consolidated upper unit dating from the Miocene. These are overlain by Plio-Pleistocene fluvio-glacial deposits and PAVF lavas, some of which are exposed in the East Maar just below the phreatomagmatic deposits. All of these units are represented as lithic clasts in the tephra rim of the East Maar, the most abundant being the clasts from the earlier basaltic lavas and rock fragments derived from the glacial deposits. There is no specific evidence for a deep diatreme under the East Maar, and in this particular case, the mixed environment seems to have produced a maar–diatreme volcano typical of a soft substrate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present paper we describe the results of a seismic field survey carried out at Copahue Volcano, Southern Andes, Argentina, using a small-aperture, dense seismic antenna. Copahue Volcano is an active volcano that exhibited a few phreatic eruptions in the last 20 years. The aim of this experiment was to record and classify the background seismic activity of this volcanic area, and locate the sources of local earthquakes and volcanic tremor. Data consist of several volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes, and many samples of back-ground seismic noise. We use both ordinary spectral, and multi-spectral techniques to measure the spectral content, and an array technique [Zero Lag Cross Correlation technique] to measure the back-azimuth and apparent slowness of the signals propagating across the array. We locate VT earthquakes using a procedure based on the estimate of slowness vector components and S–P time. VT events are located mainly along the border of the Caviahue caldera lake, positioned at the South-East of Copahue volcano, in a depth interval of 1–3 km below the surface. The background noise shows the presence of many transients with high correlation among the array stations in the frequency band centered at 2.5 Hz. These transients are superimposed to an uncorrelated background seismic signal. Array solutions for these transients show a predominant slowness vector pointing to the exploited geothermal field of “Las Maquinitas” and “Copahue Village”, located about 6 km north of the array site. We interpret this coherent signal as a tremor generated by the activity of the geothermal field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hydrothermal eruptions are explosive events driven by the sudden and violent vaporization of the water present in many hot water geothermal fields worldwide. Over recent years, thermodynamical conditions of fluids and petrophisical-geomechanical features of host-rocks were mentioned as responsible of the wide range of eruptive styles and deposits of hydrothermal eruptions. Nevertheless, geological and historical records show that PDC and fallout processes are underestimated as common processes linked to hydrothermal eruptions. This paper analyzes from a multi-disciplinary approach —virtual outcrops modeling, sedimentology, petrographic and XDR studies, facies modeling, eye-witness source analysis, and stratigraphy— the pristine Holocene–historic hydrothermal eruptive record of El Humazo manifestation (Domuyo Geothermal Field, Patagonia, Argentina). Different eruptive scenarios are characterized by ballistic ejection, PDC and/or fallout mechanisms with discernible tefra-composition and granulometry, associated with both excavational and/or aggradational landforms. We show how diverse eruptive dynamics are controlled by pre-eruptive internal and external factors, such as reservoir energy, depth of the explosion/fragmentation levels, physical properties and structural anisotropy of the host-rocks and eruptive center migrations. We consider that this case study may be useful not only for the application in the assessment of the volcanic hazard associated with the Domuyo geothermal field, but also contributes to the knowledge of the eruptive dynamics in other geothermal systems with similar characteristics. • Hydrothermal eruptions show simple or compound mechanisms of transport–deposition. • Energy, fragmentation level, host-rock property control the hydrothermal eruptions. • Host-rock type influences the tephra granolumetry and eruptive dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]