Geology of Puna Austral between 25°15? to 26°30? of south latitude and 66°25'? to 68°00'? longitudes, Provinces of Catamarca and Salta, Argentina Republic

Abstract

?Geology of Puna Austral between 25°15? to 26°30? of south latitude and 66°25? to 68°00? longitudes, Provinces of Catamarca and Salta, Argentina Republic?. This paper deals with the geological study of the Puna Austral extended about 26.000 km. The following descriptions are made on: metamorphic rocks of low up to high degree, basic rocks and few granites attributed to the Preordovician, marine sedimentary rock, on basic-ultrabasic rocks and granitoids of Ordovician ages, psephitic sedimentary rock which crop out in two distant places and are attributed to Devonian, red sedimentary rocks of the subgroup of pirgua (Cretaceus) in the oriental extreme of the region, on continental sedimentary rocks, effusive rocks (basalts) which are found in extensive areas and attributed to the tertiary. Finally, the effusive rocks (basalts) are mentioned witch together with recient sediments are attributed to different Quatemary epoches. The regional structure shows the Caledonic and Andic Cycles describing the structural characteristics of the zone. In this area mineral resources are being exploited. They are important from the geological point of view (borates, gold, etc.).