2023-09-05 22:36:45
An international research group, led by scientists from Conicetthey discovered How was Patagonia formed? millions of years ago, in the extreme south of the South American continent. this unknown had been controversial in the scientific community in recent years, explained project sources.
Specifically, the discussion was itself was a separate continent and at some point in history it collided and joined with the rest of the continent or if, alternativelyits evolution was “in situ” with South America.
“The new data we have, added to a review of previous research, they make us think about the in situ model. This evolution implies that most of Patagonia has been growing gradually during the Paleozoic era,” he confirmed. Sebastian Orioloone of the leaders of the research published in the Gondwana Research magazine, in dialogue with the Télam agency.
Conicet scientists discovered how Patagonia was formed: the origin of Vaca Muerta
After that process, explained the also Conicet researcherthe Patagonian region suffered a history «very complex«, since about 200 million years ago there was a great development of volcanic arcs in the central to western sector.
This phenomenon, which developed in the current Andean and steppe regions, gave rise over the years to the oil systems of the Neuquén Basin such as the Vaca Muerta Formation and large deposits of economic importance of gold and silver in Santa Cruz y chubut.
Oriulo also indicated that in Patagonia “early evolution is essential” “in order to evaluate more specific and applied aspects” such as the exploration of hydrocarbons and metals “since the characteristics of the oldest rocks would have exercised significant control in the generation of large deposits of economic interest«.
In which sectors of Patagonia was the research carried out?
The research also included scientists from the University of Buenos Aires and the University of Río Negrowho investigated different sectors of the patagonian regionwhich goes from the Colorado River to Tierra del Fuego.
“To solve this story, we work a lot in detail in unexplored areas, but at the same time we have to look at several areas simultaneously so as not to lose the regional perspective of the problem. This research, of a regional nature, was carried out in the provinces of Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut“, detailed Oriolo.
For his part, Emiliano Rendaa fellow at the Institute for Research in Paleobiology and Geology and a member of the team, considered that this type of research “allows us to highlight the link between basic research, involving the understanding of how our continent was generated over time, and applied research” .
“Without understanding the processes that occurred previously, it is very difficult or impossible to foresee where deposits of economic interest can be found,” concluded the researcher.
Source: Telam
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