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The middle Eocene Koluel-Kaike Formation, located in the San Jorge Basin, Patagonia, Argentina, is a strongly pedogenically modified succession associated with volcaniclastic input in an aggrading distal eolian-dominated fluvial system, located ∼400 km downwind of the Eocene Andean volcanic arc. The coordinated study of sediments and paleosols of this unit allows (1) reconstruction of environmental conditions and landscape evolution, and (2) determination of the interplay of the main forcing factors in the evolution of the Kokuel-Kaike Formation. The landscape reconstruction attests to the existence of a loessic rolling plain drained by a subordinate fluvial system, composed of both unconfined and confined flows, with locally ponded areas. Over these, thick stacked cumulative paleo-Ultisols and vertic paleo-Ultisols developed with scarce simple and stacked compound vitric Entisols analogues and compound Inceptisols equivalents. This high-resolution sedimentological-pedological analysis of the Kokuel-Kaike Formation indicates that the interplay between episodic volcaniclastic supply and cyclic climate controlled landscape evolution and soil development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lower Miocene Santa Cruz Formation in southern Patagonia (Austral Basin, Argentina) contains several horizons of pedogenic calcretes, which record −17.5 myr old vegetation adapted to a shallow and fluctuating water table at paleolatitude of 56°S. To reconstruct the paleoenvironment, paleoclimate and paleoecosystem, we performed a multiproxy study of the calcretes examining abiotic and biotic components. The calcretes exhibit a variety of morphologies (horizontal and vertical rhizoliths, laminar structure, nodules, massive crusts), microfabrics (Beta- predominant over Alpha-microfabrics), and δ 18 O and δ 13 C values that fluctuate within each morphotype and throughout the analysed interval. Microfossils and phytoliths in the host material of the calcretes indicate fluctuating terrestrial, freshwater, and marine conditions, and record an ecosystem dominated by herbaceous plants and arboreal elements in association with a typical coastal “Santacrucian” vertebrate fauna. We propose that the calcretes developed in soils in a coastal/fluvial setting during pauses in floodplain aggradation that typically lasted between 8–25 ka and 400 ka years. Variable sedimentation rates in different parts of the coastal/fluvial floodplain, the fine texture of the host sediment, and the influence of a fluctuating water table also influenced the formation of the calcrete. A high water table in low relief areas of the floodplain created the conditions necessary to form a horizontally extended rhizolithic system that, jointly with the biotic proxy, can be correlated with a radicular pattern similar to the arboreal elements from coastal settings. Abiotic and biotic proxies of the studied interval attest to environmental fluctuations recorded at different scales that took place under temperate warm and subhumid climates with a marked rainfall seasonality, with a slight increase in the aridity towards the top of the studied interval. Under these conditions a subtropical fauna and a C 3 -dominated ecosystem developed coincident with the onset of the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum in Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is general consensus that a global greenhouse climate characterized the mid-Cretaceous, details of the climate state of the mid-Cretaceous Southern Hemisphere are less clearly understood. In particular, continental paleoclimate reconstructions are scarce and exclusively derived from paleontological records. Using paleosol-derived climofunction studies of the mid- to Upper Cretaceous Mata Amarilla Formation, southern Patagonia, Argentina, we present a reconstruction of the mid-Cretaceous climate of southern South America. Our results indicate that at ~ 60° south paleolatitude during the Cenomanian–Santonian stages, the climate was subtropical temperate–warm (12 °C ± 2.1 °C) and humid (1404 ± 108 mm/yr) with marked rainfall seasonality. These results are consistent with both previous estimations from the fossil floras of the Mata Amarilla Formation and other units of the Southern Hemisphere, and with the previous observations of the displacement of tropical and subtropical floras towards the poles in both hemispheres. The data presented here show a more marked seasonality and slightly lower mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature values than those recorded at the same paleolatitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sedimentary infill of the Tandilia Basin is characterised by at least four different stages of deposition during the Neoproterozoic (< 1160 to ~ 550 Ma), two of them recognisable in the Sierras Bayas Group and two in the La Providencia Group. The Villa Mónica Formation, representing the first stage of basin infill (< 1160 to < 720 Ma), consists of a lower siliciclastic section that passes transitionally into an upper dolostone section. This dolostone platform, rich in standard Cryogenian stromatolites, was interpreted as deposited under typical cold, suboxic to oxic seawater conditions. A detailed analysis of the dolostone section allowed us to distinguish two karst events imprinted in the formation. The hypogene karst genesis is interpreted as hydrothermal with the development of Mn-oxide dykes associated with intense silicification and brecciation of the host dolostones. The younger epigene karst, which developed over the post uplifted unit, is related to intense weathering and subaerial exposure with the generation of an irregular surface in its upper contact. This unconformity, known as the Piedra Amarilla Surface, is represented regionally in the Tandilia System. It may have implied a post-uplift period of erosion, dissolution and non-deposition that predates the accumulation of the ~ 400-m-thick overlying succession (the Sierras Bayas and La Providencia groups). Accordingly, the Piedra Amarilla Surface may represent a large spatio-temporal interval bounding two contrasting histories in the basin infill, which would justify separating the Villa Mónica Formation from the Sierras Bayas Group. This karst-related surface may be considered a fingerprint of the transition from the break-up of Rodinia to the configuration of southwestern Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentological, ichnological and paleontological analyses of the Early Miocene uppermost Monte León Formation and the lower part of the Santa Cruz Formation were carried out in Rincón del Buque (RDB), a fossiliferous locality north of Río Coyle in Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia, Argentina. This locality is of special importance because it contains the basal contact between the Monte Léon (MLF) and the Santa Cruz (SCF) formations and because it preserves a rich fossil assemblage of marine invertebrates and marine trace fossils, and terrestrial vertebrates and plants, which has not been extensively studied. A ∼90 m-thick section of the MLF and the SCF that crops out at RDB was selected for this study. Eleven facies associations (FA) are described, which are, from base to top: subtidal–intertidal deposits with Crassotrea orbignyi and bioturbation of the Skolithos-Cruziana ichnofacies (FA1); tidal creek deposits with terrestrial fossil mammals and Ophiomorpha isp. burrows (FA2); tidal flat deposits with Glossifungites ichnofacies (FA3); deposits of tidal channels (FA4) and tidal sand flats (FA5) both with and impoverish Skolithos ichnofacies associated; marsh deposits (FA6); tidal point bar deposits recording a depauperate mixture of both the Skolithos and Cruziana ichnofacies (FA7); fluvial channel deposits (FA8); fluvial point bar deposits (FA9); floodplain deposits (FA10); and pyroclastic and volcaniclastic deposits of the floodplain where terrestrial fossil mammal remains occur (FA11). The transition of the MLF–SCF at RDB reflects a changing depositional environment from the outer part of an estuary (FA1) through the central (FA2–6) to inner part of a tide-dominated estuary (FA7). Finally a fluvial system occurs with single channels of relatively low energy and low sinuosity enclosed by a broad, low-energy floodplain dominated by partially edaphized ash-fall, sheet-flood, and overbank deposits (FA8–11). Pyroclastic and volcaniclastic materials throughout the succession must have been deposited as ash-fall distal facies in a fluvial setting and also were carried by fluvial streams and redeposited in both estuarine and fluvial settings. These materials preserve most of the analyzed terrestrial fossil mammals that characterize the Santacrucian age of the RDB's succession. Episodic sedimentation under volcanic influence, high sedimentation rates and a relatively warm and seasonal climate are inferred for the MLF and SCF section. Lateral continuity of the marker horizons at RDB serve for correlation with other coastal localities such as the lower part of the coastal SCF south of Río Coyle (∼17.6–17.4 Ma) belonging to the Estancia La Costa Member of the SCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although interactions between eolian and fluvial systems are well documented in both modern and ancient environments, there are few studies of such deposits that also address the paleosols that developed within them. The Cenomanian Candeleros and Huincul formations of the Neuquén Basin, Northern Patagonia, Argentina, provides an excellent opportunity to do so. These formations preserve mixed fluvial-eolian and fluvial systems, respectively, with associated pedogenesis. We identify five lithofacies associations (fluvial channel deposits [FA1], deposits of unconfined fluvial flows [FA2], floodplain deposits [FA3], eolian-dune deposits [FA4], and wet interdune deposits [FA5]), and five pedotypes (calcic Protosols [P1], Vertisols [P2], vertic and gleyed Protosols [P3a and P3b, respectively], vertic Calcisols [P4], and argillic Protosols [P5]). The lower Candeleros Formation is characterized by eolian dune deposits with calcic Protosols and wet interdune deposits with Vertisols and vertic and gleyed Protosols. The middle part of the formation is dominated by deposits of unconfined fluvial flows with vertic Protosols and, in the upper part of the unit, there are channel deposits with vertic Calcisols. The Huincul Formation is characterized by fluvial deposits with argillic Protosols. Changes in paleosol development have been recorded throughout the two formations. Small-scale changes, recognized in the lower Candeleros Formation, comprise a chrono-toposequence, in which calcic Protosols, Vertisols, vertic and gleyed Protosols are genetically associated with FA4 and FA5. Calcic Protosols developed on the dunes and gleyed Protosols in the inner part of the interdunes subjected to temporal waterlogging. When the dunes were vegetated and pedogenesis promoted dune fixation, the rate of dune mobility was slow and the ancient soils developed into Vertisols. In turn, the absence of vegetation was linked to a relatively high rate of dune migration, the time of soil development was limited, and, as a result, vertic Protosols were preserved. The analysis of soil-forming factors as large-scale controlling factors showed that throughout the succession, variations on the type of paleosol and the sedimentary environment over time were controlled by changes in ancient climate. Mid-Cretaceous global climate reconstructions suggest that the paleosols developed in northern Patagonia were located near the limit between the Southern Mid-latitude Warm Humid Belt and the Southern Hot Arid Belt. Seasonally arid and semi-arid conditions prevailed in this area, although there was a temporal trend towards a temperate subhumid climate. [Display omitted] • Cenomanian paleosols of the Candeleros and Huincul formations, northern Patagonia. • Paleosols spatial distribution shows small- and large-scale variability. • Climate controls paleosol types and sedimentary sub-environments. • Arid and semi-arid conditions prevaild with a trend towards a subhumid climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleogene infill of the eastern Golfo San Jorge Basin, Patagonia, Argentina, is composed of marine (Salamanca Formation) and terrestrial (Grupo Río Chico and lower Sarmiento Formation) deposits. The Río Chico Group is a fluvial, pedogenically modified succession interlayered with eolian volcaniclastic deposits during the Eocene. Several authors have highlighted the stratigraphic significance and usefulness of strongly developed paleosols in the definition of sequence stratigraphic studies. Even though the area hosts abundant geological and paleopedological data, no large-scale (i.e., basin-scale) stratigraphic architectural correlation including paleosols and relationships within the sequence stratigraphic context had hitherto been carried out. By integrating previously published and unpublished data sets, this paper proposes a sequence stratigraphic framework for the middle Danian–middle Eocene successions of the eastern Golfo San Jorge Basin. Here, spatio-temporal changes in fluvial/alluvial architecture of the Paleogene infill allow us to define four depositional sequences (S), limited by sequence boundaries (SB) that internally presents a low-accommodation system tract (LAST), and a high-accommodation system tract (HAST). Part of these sequences occur as fining-upwards fluvial successions that are pedogenically modified on top by strongly developed paleosols, or are erosively overlain by the coarse-grained base of the following sequence without the development of well-developed paleosols. The sedimentological and paleopedological analysis of the four sequences identified for the early Paleogene infill of the basin indicates that the interplay between subsidence, base level, and climate controlled both fluvial style and landscape evolution, as well as soil development. Volcaniclastic supply also played a significant role, especially during the Eocene. Image 1 • Paleogene infill of the GSJB can be divided into 4 sequences. • Sequence boundaries are related to fluvial incision or to mature paleosols. • Mature paleosols reflect the transition from greenhouse to icehouse world. • Accommodation space, base level and climate controlled system tracts evolution. • Subsidence rates controlled fluvial architecture spatial variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Las Violetas Fossil Forest of the Salamanca Formation was a mixed forest of Paleocene age located in the Golfo San Jorge Basin, central Patagonia of Argentina, which includes conifers (previously studied), dicots and palms. In the present work, the dicot fossil woods outcropping in one of the fossiliferous levels (L3) of the Salamanca Formation are described, taxonomically assigned, and their affinities are discussed. They are three new species, including a new genus related to the Myrtaceae and Laurales. The complete fossiliferous assemblage is used to infer the climate and environment of the fossil forest. This assemblage represents a parautochtonous fossil plant association that lived either on the margins of channels or exposed bars in well-drained soils, probably tropical red-soils, close to their depositional setting (tidal channels and bars of an estuary). Warm and humid conditions and porous host-rocks favored the silicification of woods and pigmentation with Fe, resulting in yellow-orange and green fossil woods. We apply growth ring analysis to the conifer woods. For the dicots, wood anatomical characters influenced by the environment were analyzed, and the Vulnerability and Mesomorphy indices were used. These methods, comparisons with extant forests and the sedimentology, suggest that the Las Violetas Fossil Forest was an evergreen forest that developed under uniform growing seasons that ended abruptly, with an abundant water supply and high mean annual temperatures. • The mixed forest Las Violetas developed in Central Patagonia during the Paleocene. • Dicots of the fossil forest were represented by Myrtaceae and Lauraceae. • The forest represents a parautochtonous association of plants living on an estuary. • Fossil woods analysis suggest a warm-temperate and humid evergreen forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an integrated field, petrographic and geochemical study of the Puesto del Museo Formation, a poorly known unit that evidences a Cenozoic transgression at the southernmost Golfo San Jorge Basin. The most striking features of the Puesto del Museo Formation is its occurrence as restricted ~20 m-thick-outcrops composed exclusively of friable cross-stratified grainstones. We analyzed the sedimentary facies and facies associations in order to reconstruct the depositional setting. The petrographic characterization allows assessing the composition as a very homogeneous lithological succession dominated by skeletal grainstones. Geochemistry of trace elements (Mn, Sr, Rb, rare earth elements plus yttrium = REY), and stable isotopes (C and O) were used to characterize the grainstones compositionally, and to constrain environmental and climate conditions that controlled its deposition. The diagenetic environmental comprehension helped to the interpretations of the syn- and post-depositional conditions related to the grainstones. Finally, the stratigraphic position of the Puesto del Museo grainstones into the context of the basin is discussed. This succession can be correlated with the Patagonian marine event (i.e., Golfo San Jorge and Austral basins) that took place during the late Oligocene–early Miocene, related to an elevated global sea level controlled by glacio-eustatic conditions. • Puesto del Museo Fm can represent the southernmost mid-Cenozoic carbonates at the GSJB. • These grainstones deposits flooded a rocky shore composed of the Jurassic volcanites. • The cementation begun at the seafloor followed by vadose conditions. • Trace elements supported by facies analysis reveal shallow open marine environment. • Bioclasts and C-isotope may suggest it as part of the Patagoniense transgression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present work is to describe the first conifer assemblage of a mixed forest from the Danian Salamanca Formation at the Estancia Las Violetas locality (San Jorge Basin, Central Patagonia, Argentina), based on detailed descriptions of secondary xylem. Also, sedimentological description of the Estancia Las Violetas outcrops are made in order to understand the paleoenvironmental conditions under which paleocommunities developed. Six conifer woods are described and assigned to one Podocarpoxylon Gothan and three Cupressinoxylon Göppert species (including a new species). This is the first record of Patagonia forest where the conifer assemblage is dominated by Cupressinoxylon, associated with Podocarpaceae and palms (recorded as fruits), conforming a mixed forest with a floristic composition similar to present-day New Caledonia forests. Las Violetas fossil forest represent a parautochtonous community developed in a forested coastal setting, a tide-dominated estuary, at ∼51–50° S paleolatitudes of South America during the early–middle Danian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous isolated fossil bee cells and other trace fossils are documented from the Santa Cruz Formation (Santa Cruz, Argentina). The trace fossils are described from paleosols of 7 coastal localities. The paleosols are composed of massive to laminated claystone to siltstone or massive to diffuse laminated very fine tuff and reworked tuff. They are poorly developed but include rich trace fossils and root traces assemblages. The isolated bee cells ( n = 47) are barrel to oval shaped, with one end rounded to flattened and the other flattened. They lack discrete walls and antechambers but have a smooth lining. They are ascribed to Celliforma rosellii ( n = 28) and to a new ichnospecie, Celliforma argentina ( n = 19). The new ichnospecies differs from C. rosellii on the shape of the inferior end of the chamber, been the first rounded to flattened and the C. rosellii rounded to pointed, resulting in a final barrel shape in C. argentina and an oval shape in C. rosellii . C. rosellii has an average length and width of 17 mm and 9.8 mm. C. argentina average length and width are 9.2 and 5.1 mm. In some specimens of C. rosellii below the basal mark in the cell, the infill has a strong organic component that has been identified under SEM. This could indicate the exceptional preservation of the fluid deposited by the adult bee for the nutrition of the larva. The trace fossils assemblage shows moderate diversity and abundance. The ichnoassemblage recorded consist in Celliforma rosellii, Celliforma argentina, Palaeophycus tubularis, Planolites beverleyensis, Feoichnus challa , Fictovichnus gobiensis, Taenidium barretti and a variety of root traces. These trace fossils are considered to be part of a Celliforma ichnofacies but with a scarce presence of calcareous components. Considering pedogenic features, compositional aspects and ichnoasemblage a relatively warm, semiarid–subhumid and seasonal climate where herbaceous communities dominated can be established for the middle to upper interval of the Santa Cruz Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]