Tectonic influence on Pliocene to Recent activity of the Copahue Volcano

Volcanic eruptions are among the prime geological hazards affecting a growing population on our planet, either by their eruptive products (e.g., pyroclastic flows, volcanic ash ejected into the atmosphere), associated earthquakes or flank collapse of volcanic edifices. Last not least because of their spatial association with major fault zones in convergent plate boundaries, there is a growing body of evidence that volcanic eruptions are related to, if not triggered by, pulses of enhanced tectonic activity and/or specific deformation regimes. This prompted the set-up of a bilateral cooperation between the University of Hamburg, Germany and the Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra (CICTERRA), Argentina, aimed at joining forces with regard to unravelling tectono-magmatic processes in the Southern Andes. Copahue Volcano, located at 37.5°S in the Southern Andean Volcanic Zone, has been identified as an ideal and, in terms of hazard assessment, most important target to analyze the genetic relationship between local magmatic and regional tectonic pulses in the southern Andes. A reconnaissance study of the volcano will identify strategies and the feasibility of structural analyses and associated sampling for petrologic analysis and will serve to engage in a collaborative research project. The bilateral cooperation is also expected to serve as a platform for mutual exchange of students and scientific expertise between the University of Hamburg and the CICTERRA.

Funding Agency: German Science Foundation (DFG)

Principal Investigator: Ulrich Riller

External collaborators:
- Dr. Ivan Petrinovic (Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra, Cordoba, Argentina)
- Dr. Silvina Guzmann (Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina)