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Subproject Z1: Coordination and management and Integration of geological, geophysical and remote sensing data towards a synoptic digital model of the Central Andes

Research Field: Central tasks and Geoinformatics, remote sensing, paleogeography

• Research staff

• Working area

• Abstract

• Objectives, methods, work plan, and schedule

• Collaboration with external research groups

• Publications

Staff

Project-Leader(s)

Dr. Peter Wigger

Co-Leader(s)

Dr. Heinz Burger

Prof. Dr. Christoph Heubeck

Dr. Kerstin Munier

Members

Birgit Holdorff

Beate Latif

Prof. Dr. Onno Oncken

Dr. Ulrich Riller

Working area of the subproject F2

Abstract

The subproject deals with central tasks of the SFB 267. In contrast to the past working periods a number of tasks of the old subprojects Z2A and Z2B are integrated now in subproject Z1.

The new structure:

• Administration and coordination for the entire SFB.

• Integration of geological, geophysical and remote sensing data towards a synoptic digital model of the Central Andes. Data and results by the structural, geochronological, volcanologic/geochemical and stratigraphic/sedimentological community working in the Central Andes are widely scattered. An integrated understanding of the spatial and temporal relationships among these data sets, which all bear on the development of the Central Andes and the Altiplano/Puna plateau, does not yet exist. This project proposes to integrate this wide variety of data types, including but not limited to the observations by the SFB 267 research group, in a synoptic model consisting of a series of digital maps which display the paleogeographic situation in the Central Andes between 19o S and 26o S at selected time intervals from 30 My until today. The spatio-temporal pattern of topography, magmatism and deformation and the derivative processes of basin formation and sedimentary fill will yield insights in the underlying processes of convergent-margin deformation.

• Maintenance of the SFB 267 internet homepage.

Objectives, methods, work plan, and schedule

Coordination and management

The coordination and management group must ensure a distinct separation between administrative processes and the effective coordination of the scientific concerns. This coordination and communicaton is vital, as about 100 geoscientists from four institutions in Berlin and Potsdam in different departments and at different locations are collaborating in the SFB 267.

The complex coordination of the scientific aspects of the SFB 267 will occupy the chair, the committees and subprojects of the SFB 267 with a number of tasks:

• preparation of sessions of the steering committee, the extended steering committee, the SFB council, and the plenum of the SFB and execution of their decisions

• preparing and coordinating the proposals

• preparing and coordinating the reports

• documentation of the SFB activities

• program coordination of SFB meetings such as seminars, workshops and colloquia

• preparation and coordination of guest invitations and stays

• representation of the SFB in relation to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), the three involved universities and the GeoForschungsZentrum, as well as partners in Germany and foreign countries

• preparation of cooperation contracts.

The administration handles:

• operation of the SFB office

• finances: disposition and control; deduction; presentation of evidence of conformity to DFG; account management

• personnel matters

• deductions with guest scientists

• correspondence

• translations (German, Spanish, English)

• coordination and control of the SFB project cars in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia

• central supply procedures

• preparation and execution of international workshops in Berlin and South America.

Synoptic digital model of the Central Andes

Objectives

The aim of the project for the coming period is to form a synthesis of existing data and scientific results relevant to the geological and geophysical processes related to the subduction of the Nazca Plate under the South American Plate in the Central Andes (between 19o S and 26o S) and to the evolution of the Altiplano. Currently, the configuration of the convergent system (geometry of the subducted plate, dip angle, angle of convergence, location of the volcanic arc, plateau building, recent magmatism) can be modeled using geochemical and geophysical data. A series of maps for selected time intervals will display the surface evolution of the Central Andes (active deformation, faulting, uplift, volcanism, sedimentary environments, paleogeography, paleoclimate) and other relevant information (plutonism, metamorphism, geochemical/structural data base). The synoptic maps will permit a clearer understanding of the relationships among processes governing convergent margin processes and resulting geologic patterns.

The following problems will be investigated:

• Relation between magmatic evolution, volcanism (ignimbrite eruptions) and deformation (re-/ activation of fault systems, folding)
• Relationship between geophysical maps and surface features (faults, calderas, volcanoes, topography, sedimentary basin formation)

It will be necessary to control the quality of existing data with respect to spatial and temporal consistency with other data sets. Additional data from other research groups (Cornell Univ. , BRGM Andes GIS) and new satellite missions (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM) will be included as soon as they are available (planned date: spring 2001).

Methods

A database of geo-referenced data sets will be established as the core of these maps, showing

• locations and type of the main faults in the area (if available: age, vector of displacement, time of reactivation)
• location and type of sedimentary events (type and rate of basin formation, type of depositional environment, sediment transport direction, regions of uplift and erosion etc.)
• location and age of "point-data" and magmatic events (calderas, volcanoes, ignimbrite eruptions)
• geochemical data (TP G2, Trumbull)
• geochronology data

The bulk of the work will be the extraction and quality-checking of lithologic and age data from publications, geological maps, aerial photography and field observations. The quality of existing fault data must be checked using digital terrain models (SRTM, X-SAR/SIR-C) and optical satellite imagery. The relative age of events must be extracted from publications, geological maps, aerial photography and field observations by members of the SFB 267. Relations between point data (calderas, volcanoes, magmatic activity) and linear elements such as faults will be examined using GIS-tools (buffering/intersections).

Schedule

2002:

• Design of base map structure

• Image enhancement and geo-referencing of new satellite data for the preparation of work sheets for all projects of the SFB267

• Integration of SRTM digital terrain models

• Completion and quality control of existing digital fault data (REUTTER, SALFITY) with help of geo-referenced satellite imagery, geological maps, publications and existing field measurements

• Continued archiving and preparation of meta information of SFB 267 data for the existing data catalogue and the web site

• Compilation of sedimentary information

• Integration of geochemical data and age data (database of TP G2: Trumbull-Hahne)

2003:

• Population of map prototype (including structural map, geological map, gravimetry, volcanic activity, paleogeography, sedimentary environments, age data, and links to data bases)

• Visualization of fault data with respect to the location of volcanoes, calderas, magmatic events

2004:

• Continued collection of data, maps and models. Continued preparation of paleogeographic maps in selected time intervals back to 30 My.

• Discussion of the models, interpretations and visualisations. Publication and distribution of paleogeographic maps-CD of the central Andes

For all 3 years:

• Maintenance of the SFB 267 homepage.

• Additionally, the subproject will offer services for almost all subprojects:

• Production of enhanced satellite imagery and work maps for field work

• Procurement, geo-coding and distribution of satellite imagery in new research areas

• Creation of satellite mosaics for regional geology

• Documentation and archiving of data (~100 GB)

• Evaluation of ETM+ panchromatic data and multispectral merge products

Collaboration with external research groups

Names of important partners in the host countries

Argentina:

• Prof. Dr. José Viramonte, Universidad Nacional de Salta

• Prof. Dr. Betti Coira, Universidad Nacional de Jujui

Bolivia:

• Dr. Sohrab Tawakoli, SERGEOMIN, La Paz

Chile:

• Prof. Dr. Guillermo Chong, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta

• Prof Dr. Mario Pereira, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta

• Prof. Dr. Hans Wilke, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta

• Prof Dr. Guillermo Alfaro, Universidad de Concepción

• Prof. Dr. Jaime Alvarez, Universidad de Concepción

• Prof. Dr. Klaus Bataille, Universidad de Concepción

• Prof. Dr. Luis Arturo Quinzio, Universidad de Concepción

• Dr. Constantino Mpodozis, SERNAGEOMIN, Santiago

Publications

Literature

Publikationen in Tagungsbänden

Burger, H., Alten, M. & Mohr. S. (1999): Management of geoscientific information: The website of the SFB 267. - Fourth International symposium on Andean geodynamics Göttingen 1999: 110-114; Paris (Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopment).