Interaction between hydrothermal fluids and fault systems in the in the
Southern Andes revealed by magnetotelluric and seismic data
Abstract
In an active volcanic arc, magmatically sourced fluids are channeled
through the brittle crust by structural features. This interaction is
observed in the Andean volcanic mountain belt, where volcanoes,
geothermal springs and the locations of major mineral deposits coincide
with NNE-striking, convergent margin-parallel faults and margin-oblique,
NW/SE-striking Andean Transverse Faults (ATF). The Tinguiririca and
Planchón-Peteroa volcanoes in the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ)
demonstrate this relationship, as both volcanic complexes and their
spatially associated thermal springs show strike alignment to the
outcropping NNE oriented El Fierro Thrust Fault System. This study aims
to constrain the 3D architecture of this fault system and its
interaction with volcanically sourced hydrothermal fluids from a
combined magnetotelluric (MT) and seismicity survey. The 3D conductivity
model and seismic hypocenter locations show correlations between strong
conductivity contrasts and seismic clusters in the top 10km of the
crust. This includes a distinct WNW-striking seismogenic feature which
has characteristics of the ATF domains. As the surveyed region is
characterized by high heat flow regimes, volcanic activity and
hydrothermal systems related to the volcanic arc, the conductivity
contrast suggests that magmatically derived fluids meet an impenetrable
barrier, most likely the sealed core of the fault. The resulting
increase in hydrostatic fluid pressure facilitates seismic activity on
this WNW oriented structure. These results provides the first
observation of the mechanism behind the reactivation and seismogenesis
of ATF. The study also uncovers the role of the ATF the
compartmentalization of magmatic-derived fluids that accumulate to form
hydrothermal reservoirs in the SVZ.