Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185.

May, 2018 Andean Geology

doi: 10.5027/andgeoV45n2-3030 www.andeangeology.cl

Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill: a

depositional and paleogeographic model for “Cancagua”
deposits in north-western Patagonia, Chile

*Rodrigo M. Vega1, Mauricio Mella2, Sven N. Nielsen1, Mario Pino1

1
Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Edificio Emilio Pugín, Av. Eduardo Morales Miranda, Campus Isla Teja, Universidad Austral de
Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
2
Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Oficina Técnica Puerto Varas, La Paz 406, Puerto Varas, Chile.
[email protected]

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT. Late Pleistocene sedimentary deposits outcropping around Valdivia city, locally known as Cancagua,
have been subject of contrasting interpretations, from glacial to interglacial sediments. Opposing views emerge from
focusing on upstream or coastal sedimentary controls, within a zone were these potentially overlap through a full glacial
cycle. Here we present the first detailed facies analysis and a broad chronological framework, reconciling previous
interpretations in a single paleogeographic model that encompasses the last glacial cycle. Seven facies associations
are described, interpreted as an estuarine complex developed primarily during the last glacial cycle’s highstand, yet
accumulating sediments during a substantial part of the falling stage. These results offer the opportunity to extend
paleoenvironmental records through a full glacial cycle in northern Patagonia.

Keywords: Late Pleistocene, Cancagua, Volcaniclastic, Facies analysis, Glacial-interglacial cycles, Northpatagonia.

RESUMEN. Estratigrafía y sedimentología del relleno de un valle inciso del Pleistoceno tardío: un modelo
deposicional y paleogeográfico para los depósitos de “Cancagua” en la Patagonia noroeste, Chile. Los depósitos
sedimentarios del Pleistoceno tardío que afloran en torno a la ciudad de Valdivia, localmente denominados Cancagua,
han sido objeto de interpretaciones contrastantes, desde depósitos glaciales hasta interglaciales. Estas visiones opuestas
surgen del énfasis en los factores que controlan la sedimentación río arriba o en torno a la desembocadura, en una zona
en donde estos posiblemente se traslapan durante un ciclo glacial completo. Este trabajo presenta el primer análisis de
facies detallado, junto a un marco cronológico preliminar, reconciliando las interpretaciones anteriores en un solo modelo
paleogeográfico que abarca el último ciclo glacial completo. Se describen siete asociaciones de facies, interpretadas
como un complejo estuarino desarrollado principalmente durante la posición alta del nivel relativo del mar, no obstante
acumulando sedimentos durante una porción sustancial del proceso de caída del nivel base. Estos resultados proveen la
posibilidad de extender los registros paleoambientales norpatagónicos a través de un ciclo glacial completo.

Keywords: Pleistoceno Tardío, Cancagua, Volcanoclástico, Análisis de facies, Ciclos glaciales, Norpatagonia.
162 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

1. Introduction Several authors have assigned an interglacial

(MIS 5e) age to “Cancagua” deposits (Astorga
Understanding past climate changes and landscape and Pino, 2011; Illies, 1970; Latorre et al., 2007,
response are essential for assessing the impact and among others) based on sea level reconstructions,
outcomes of industrial society on the environment, by relating valley aggradation to interglacial sea
and therefore on itself. The former Patagonian Ice level highstand and river incision to glacial sea
Sheet (PIS) has received considerable attention for level lowstand. The proposed age is concordant
it inherited a detailed land record of past glacier with two minimum ages of >50 ka BP obtained
fluctuations (Mercer, 1976; Porter, 1981; Denton by radiocarbon dating (Astorga and Pino, 2011;
et al., 1999; McCulloch et al., 2000; Glasser et al., Latorre et al., 2007) and with field descriptions,
2008; García, 2012; among others). Data has proven where part of the volcaniclastic component has been
indispensable for testing climate models, discussing observed overlying glaciofluvial gravels assigned to
connections and possible driving mechanisms the Santa María glaciation and underlying similar
governing climate change (e.g., Denton et al., 2010), deposits interpreted as the Llanquihue drift (MIS
as well as obtaining detailed records of climate 4-2; Arenas et al., 2005). More recently Mella et al.
variability suitable for comparison with modern data (2012) described interlocking relations between these
(e.g., De Batist et al., 2008; Heirman et al., 2011). deposits and those assigned to the Santa María drift,
Most of this effort has focused on the last glacial relating them to the transition between the middle
maximum (LGM) and Holocene (e.g., García et al., and late Pleistocene.
2012; Moreno et al., 2014; Strelin et al., 2014), in Illies (1970) first noted the volcaniclastic
part because of the abrupt character of this transition, component and related it to the possibility of
but also because detailed records, such as those enhanced volcanic activity during the last interglacial.
preserved in peat bogs and lake sediments, began Later, Latorre et al. (2007), based on composition
to accumulate after glacier withdrawal. Fluvial and sediment source, described these deposits as
sediments, along with advances in dating techniques, composed of two distinct facies, an autochthonous
offer the opportunity to extend these records back in one comprising sediment derived from the local
time (Wallinga, 2002) as a complementary approach, metamorphic basement and an allochthonous facies
allowing a detailed reconstruction of (localized) composed mainly by volcaniclastic material, the latter
landscape organization and changes, together with being directly linked to volcanism through laharic
a source-to-sink perspective on landscape dynamics flows reaching the coast. While this hypothesis is in
and response to climate oscillations (e.g., Carter et agreement with some observations such as the green
al., 2010; Goodbred Jr., 2003). hornblende content, tightly related to pyroclastic
This paper focuses on late Pleistocene coastal input (Smith and Lotosky, 1995), laharic facies have
sedimentary deposits outcropping around Valdivia not been clearly differentiated from posteruptive or
city (39°50”S), connected to the fluvial system that intereruptive facies.
drained the northernmost piedmont glacier lobes A completely opposed interpretation arises
of the PIS, as a first step toward reconstructing from Laugenie’s (1982) seminal work on glacial
landscape response to glacial-interglacial cycles in geomorphology in the Andean piedmont. As
South America. interpretation follows from the glacially controlled
sandar terraces upstream toward the coast, these same
1.1. Previous work and contrasting views deposits are assigned to the Santa María drift, incised
prior to the emplacement of the Llanquihue drift. These
Valdivia city (Fig. 1) is surrounded by prominent contradictory views emerge from focusing either on
terraces widely extended throughout the Valdivia costal forcing factors or on upstream forcing factors
river course and connected to a coastal cliff along the and extrapolating the response to the whole river
shoreline. Upstream they merge with the plains that course, as discussed by Blum and Tornqvist (2000).
have been inferred to belong to the Santa María drift Here we revise this interpretations in the light
(Mercer, 1976; Porter, 1981, possibly MIS 6). Around of detailed facies analysis and present a broad
Valdivia city, most outcrops exhibit a volcaniclastic chronostratigraphical framework, reconciling previous
sandstone locally known as “Cancagua”. views in a single paleogeographical model.
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 163

FIG. 1. Regional setting. A. Simplified geologic map. Note the contrasting lithology between the Andean and Coastal Cordillera.
Rectangular area around Valdivia city depicts zone enlarged in B; B. Detail of the study area and locality names referred
to in the text.
164 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

2. Regional setting roundness estimations were performed by visual

comparison with charts included in Stow (2010).
Valdivia city is located in the Coastal Cordillera Grain size was estimated by visual comparison with
in south central Chile, an active convergent margin resin embedded sieved sand into five categories,
where the oceanic Nazca plate subducts beneath from very fine to very coarse, with breakpoints at
the South American continental plate. In a broad 0ϕ,1ϕ,2ϕ and 3ϕ. Lithofacies were coded following
sense, the region consists of three main morpho- Miall (1985) and extending codes as necessary
structural units differentiated from W to E: the for coastal facies. Facies were grouped in seven
Coastal Cordillera, the Central Depression and facies associations under sedimentologic and
the Andean Cordillera. The Coastal Cordillera is genetic criteria to ease correlation. Digital maps
composed of metamorphic rocks from a Paleozoic were produced using QGIS 2.0.1-Dufour.
accretionary wedge and locally of plutonic rocks
representing a Permo-Carboniferous magmatic 3.2. Dating
arc (Glodny et al., 2006, and references therein).
A few intrusions of Cretaceous granitoids are Samples for optically stimulated luminescence
localized within this complex. The main Cordillera, (OSL) dating were retrieved in 20 cm long
consisting mostly of plutonic rocks, is partially hydraulic PVC tubes aided by a specially designed
covered by Pliocene-Quaternary volcanic rocks of case acting as a coring device. Tubes were sealed
basaltic-andesitic composition (Glodny et al., 2006). with PVC caps for shipping. A second sample
The Central Depression is filled with Pliocene to from the surrounding 20 cm radius was used for
Holocene glaciof luvial and volcaniclastic deposits estimating dose rate. OSL analyses were preformed
derived from the Andean Cordillera (Glodny et in the Luminescence Dating Research Laboratory,
al., 2006, and references therein). The Central Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,
Depression is interrupted in the Valdivia region by University of Illinois-Chicago. Equivalent dose was
the Loncoche Massif, a prolongation of the Coastal determined by the multiple aliquot regenerative
Cordillera into the main Andean Cordillera, and dose method under blue (470 nm) excitation (Jain
thus Pliocene-Quaternary sediments are confined et al., 2003). U, Th and K were determined by
to intermontane valleys (Illies, 1970; Laugenie, ICP-MS at Activation Laboratory Ltd., Ontario.
1982; Fig. 1). Average water content was estimated from particle
In a North-South sense, the forearc in south- size characteristics assuming periodic wetting in
central Chile is morphotectonically differentiated the vadose zone. Cosmic dose rate component was
in three fault bounded segments (Rehak et al., taken from Prescott and Hutton (1994) based on
2008). As opposed to the northern and southern latitude, longitude, elevation, and burial depth of
segments that record pronounced Quaternary uplift, samples. Radiocarbon dating was made at the NSF-
the central Toltén segment, in which Valdivia city Arizona AMS Laboratory and the UCIAMS-W.M.
is included, exhibits a steady behavior, with uplift Keck Carbon Cycle Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
restricted to the coastal region (Rehak et al., 2008). Laboratory, University of California at Irvine.
14
C dates were calibrated based on the IntCal13
3. Study area and methods calibration curve (Reimer et al., 2013).

3.1. Mapping 4. Facies associations

Mapping was based on interpretation of 1:50.000 Lithofacies were grouped in seven facies
aerial photographs under stereoscope, ETM+ associations (FA) ref lecting distinct depositional
imagery and SRTM derived DEMs, and previous environments. Facies were gathered according to
maps by Arenas et al. (2005), Duhart et al. (2003), lateral and vertical relations following Walther‘s
Laugenie (1982), Mella et al. (2012), Quiroz et al. law, and to a common suite of inferred sedimentary
(2007) and Rodríguez et al. (1999). The zone was processes governing deposition. Individual facies
extensively mapped by water and land, describing are described in the following section as part of
and sampling all available outcrops. Sorting and each FA. A summary is given in table 1.
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 165

TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FACIES ASSOCIATIONS AND INTERPRETATION.

Grain size and

Facies Grain attributes Fossil content Interpretation
sorting

FA 1: Shallow Sh, Sl, Medium to very Well rounded Shell fragments Shallow marine
marine Ssw, St, P, coarse well sorted within St, rootlets shoreface to foreshore
Sht sand within P deposits
FA 2: Coastal St, Sp, Sh, Fine to very Subrounded to Rootlets within P, Coastal bar association,
bar Sl, P coarse, well sorted well rounded extending downwards including shallow
sand into Sp sets marine, coastal dune and
fluvial sand bars
FA 3: Estuary St, Sp, Sr, Fine to medium Well rounded Shell fragments Coastal barrier and
mouth Sht, Ssh, well sorted sand within St/Sp, estuary mouth sand
complex Sm, Sfl, meter scale complex, including
Fl, C, P, mollusc shellbeds, back barrier swamps,
Sh Ophiomorpha traces, marshes and tidal flats,
cirripeds, rootlets, washover fans, tidal
plant debris, wood inlets, tidal bars and bay
fragments facies. Grades laterally
and upwards to shallow
marine and coastal bar
FAs
FA 4: Central Sht, Sr, Very fine to Subangular to Bivalves (Veneridae, Central estuary basin,
estuary Sfl, Fm, St medium, moderate subrounded Tagelus sp), Bivalve grading laterally to tidal
to well sorted sand traces shell fragments, channels and tidal flats
and mud small arthropod towards the valley edges
burrows in Sht
FA 5: Sh, Sr, St, Very fine Subangular to Rootlets, leaves and Bayhead delta, including
Estuarine Fl, P, Sht to medium, subrounded sand, small vegetal remains, channel, levees, swamps
bayhead delta moderately sorted well rounded occasionally small and overbank facies
sand. Occasional gravel clasts wood fragments
gravel and mud
FA 6: Fluvial Gt, Gp, St, Coarse sand and Subangular to Rootlets, leaves and Fluvial channel and
Sp, Fl gravel, moderately subrounded sand, other vegetal remains floodplain facies,
to well sorted. well rounded including swamps and
Fines less common gravel splays
FA 7: Slope Gms, Gm, Clay to boulder Angular to Wood, rootlets Slope and alluvial fan
deposits Gt, Sp, Sh, sized gravel, subrounded deposits, including debris
C, P moderately sorted flows and gravitational
to diamictic processes in general,
small streams, peat bogs
and soils

Facies codes are those of Miall (1985), expanded by including the following: Ssw: swaley cross bedded sand; Sht: stratified or laminated,
intercalated sand and mud; Ssh: shellbeds.

4.1. Facies association 1 (FA 1): Shallow marine horizontal parallel stratification together with low
angle cross-bedding (Sh/Sl; Fig. 2A). Occasional
4.1.1. Description granule beds about 3 cm thick occur within these
FA 1 is mainly composed of medium to very facies. Granules are perfectly rounded, forming part
coarse, well sorted, very well rounded clast supported of a bimodal grain size distribution in concert with
sandstones. Among outcrops, four distinct lithofacies coarse sand (Fig. 2A). Subhorizontal laminae dip
can be identified. The better exposed depicts sub- gently in a basinward direction and are frequently
166 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

FIG. 2. Selected sedimentary facies and attributes belonging to facies association FA 1. A. Sh/Sl facies showing basinward gentle
dip and granule bed (arrow); B. Small scale filled erosion surface within Sh/Sl facies interpreted as an upstream migrating
antidune track (arrow); C. General view of FA 1 facies, scale bar is approximately 2 m high. Arrows point at two paleosoils
merging eastwards (right). White box shows area enlarged in panel E; D. St facies, note calcareous clast accumulations (arrow);
E. A pumice layer; F-G. Trypanites isp over FA 1 in Playa Grande (Niebla).

truncated by flat erosion surfaces at low angles. exposures, supported by a sand matrix (Fig. 2E). Two
Small scale irregular erosion surfaces filled with discrete paleosoil levels (P) are interbedded within
laminated or structureless sand can be seen (Fig. 2B). Sh/Sl sand bodies (Fig. 2C). Southward, this facies
Localized, pebble sized pumice layers occur in some grades to a coarse, swalley cross-bedded sandstone
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 167

(Ssw). A third facies retains main clast attributes 4.2. Facies association 2 (FA 2): Coastal bar
while exhibiting distinct trough cross-bedded units
(St). Troughs contain abundant marine invertebrate 4.2.1. Description
fragments concentrated as small aprons at the bottom Throughout available outcrops, this facies
of each lamina (Fig. 2D). toward the upper portion association exposes three principal lithofacies. The
of this facies some mud drapes appear, together first one consists of a well sorted, clast supported,
with mudball concentrations as it grades to a fourth, sub-rounded to rounded, medium to very coarse
faintly heterolithic facies (Sht), in which sand and trough cross bedded sand (St). Troughs are one
mud alternate in a thinly laminated pattern. Within to two meters wide, arranged in sets nearly half
the rather poor exposure it is possible to observe a meter thick, bounded by subhorizontal sharp
soft-sediment deformation structures, concentrated surfaces (Fig. 3A). Occasionally, some fine platy
below a massive, concave upward based sand body. gravel clasts (<5 mm) can be seen. The second
facies exhibits sub rounded, well sorted, clast
4.1.2. Occurrence supported, medium to fine parallel laminated/low
FA 1 outcrops exclusively in Niebla (Fig. 1B), angle cross-bedded sand (Sh/Sl). Individual laminae
where it forms two distinct units. The older is exposed show inverse grading and a very loose packaging
in Playa Grande as the basal layer. Overlying facies (Fig. 3B). Shallow and wide sub-parallel scours
rest upon a sharp, locally erosive contact. The are ubiquitous and occasionally filled with planar
contact surface shows abundant borings attributed to cross-laminated sand. A pumice layer occurs within
Trypanites isp. (Fig. 2F). Borings have sharp edges this facies, pumice clasts are pebble sized, supported
with no lining, they are subhorizontal, ~2 cm wide by a sandy matrix and forming a discrete 10 cm
shafts with rounded ends. Some borings show a layer (Fig. 3C). The third facies is composed of
consolidated sand sized infill (Fig. 2G). The second, well rounded, well sorted, clast supported, fine to
younger unit outcrops in Playa Chica, alternating medium planar cross-bedded sand (Sp). Individual
with paleosoils as it grades to FA 3. laminae show well developed inverse grading.
Sand bodies are arranged in sets, each one of these
4.1.3. Interpretation consisting of inclined parallel strata dipping at an
FA 1 is interpreted as shallow marine deposits, angle of 30°±2.5. Paleodirections vary between
ranging from foreshore to lower shoreface facies. sites yet show a discrete within-site dispersion and
Sh/Sl facies forms under supercritical flow conditions, a general eastward trend (Fig. 4). Sets are bounded
characteristic of the upper shoreface-foreshore by third order, sub-horizontal or inclined surfaces.
environment. Ssw facies derive from the occurrence Within these surfaces, laterally extensive and well
of both oscillatory and directional currents, and are developed paleosoils (P) are common. Individual
here inferred to represent storm-weather deposits set thickness ranges between five and ten meters
within the shoreface. The northwestern end of (Fig. 3D-E). Second order surfaces are sharp and
exposure exhibits some discrete pumice layers and straight contacts, truncating first order stratification
two paleosoils interlocked with Sh/Sl (Fig. 2C). This at such a similar angle that they are hardly noticed.
section is inferred to belong to the foreshore or even
backshore portion of the shallow marine environment, 4.2.2. Occurrence
alternating with a vegetated berm under relative sea FA 2 is widespread throughout the coast, from
level oscillations. Together, these three sections Niebla to Curiñanco (see Fig. 1B for location
form a coherent, NW-SE oriented transition from names). The best exposure is in Calfuco, where the
backshore/foreshore to shoreface subenvironments complete suite of facies can be seen within a few
within a 200 m horizontal distance. St and Sht facies outcrops. The spatial distribution of these facies is
are present only in Playa Grande, within the older closely related to local geomorphological character.
unit. We interpret these facies as the transition from Both Sh/Sl and St facies occur in association with
upper to lower shoreface conditions, relating St flat surfaces rising about 20 meters above sea level
facies to longshore or rip currents (Zecchin, 2007) (m a.s.l), while Sp facies are invariably related to
and Sht to the transitional zone between shoreface an undulating topography ranging between near 20
and offshore environments. to almost 60 m a.s.l.
168 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

FIG. 3. Sedimentary facies pertaining to facies association FA 2. A. St facies; B. Sh/Sl facies, note hammer at the bottom (white
circle) for scale; C. Pumice layer within Sh/Sl facies; D. Composite panorama showing Sp facies in Loncoyén. Arrow
points to paleosoil bounding inclined strata set (see text for details). Scale bar approximately 2 m high; E. Detail of inclined
stratification in Sp facies.

4.2.3. Interpretation Sh/Sl facies respond to a wider set of processes.

FA 2 is interpreted as a costal bar association Parallel lamination and low angle cross-bedding
where the continentward facies have been better are formed under upper flow regime conditions.
preserved than their basinward counterparts. St Based on this and on the ubiquitous shallow and
facies represents fluvial dominated channel 3D sand wide erosion surfaces we infer these deposits to
dunes. This is consistent with sedimentary structure, have accumulated in a foreshore environment.
indicating deposition as bedload traction sediments Occasional planar cross-laminated infills are the
from unidirectional currents under subcritical flow product of small scale migrating asymmetrical
conditions. Fabric and sorting support this view. ripples, formed within shallow creeks or tidal
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 169

FIG. 4. Palaeodirections from Sp facies within facies association FA 2, inferred to be dune deposits. Points represent direction of the
horizontal vector normal to the dip plane, distance from the origin ref lects dipping angle.

channels. Inversely graded, loose fabric laminae 4.3. Facies association 3 (FA 3): Estuary mouth
represent wind ripple drift deposits. As is fairly complex
common to observe today, pumice clasts are readily
transported by rivers to the sea after volcanic 4.3.1. Description
eruptions, being thoroughly spread by longshore This FA is formed by clast supported, well rounded,
currents and ending up in the foreshore-backshore well sorted, medium to fine sands punctuated by fine
zone. The pumice layer within Sh/Sl facies thus deposits. The innermost (continentward) sections
supports our interpretation. Both St and Sh/Sl consist of planar or through cross-bedded units
facies are genetically related, the former grading (Sp/St), arranged in ~0.3-0.5 m thick sets, bounded
to the latter in a basinward direction as the river by erosive, nearly plane or concave-up surfaces.
course reaches the shoreline, thus accounting Ripple cross-laminated sand (Sr) occasionally fills
for the geomorphological link between them. Sp the basal portion. Paleodirections point toward both
facies represents coastal transverse dune deposits. continent and basinward sediment transport, although
The excellent sorting and fine grain size are in opposite directions occur in different sections. Shell
good agreement with eolian transport processes. fragments are ubiquitous within cross-bedded units,
Moreover, paleodirections neatly conform to the along with well developed Ophiomorpha traces
dominant NW wind direction (Fig.4), and dip (Fig. 5). Crudely bedded, concave up, several meters
angles of primary stratification are fairly close thick shellbeds (Ssh) occur within this FA, with
to the 33° angle of repose for dry sand (Kocurek, remarkable exposures in the western tip of Isla del
1996). Within laminae inverse grading supports Rey and around Ensenada San Juan (Fig. 1B).
avalanching as a settling process, further confirming Analysis from an exceptionally well preserved
the eolian interpretation as this is the primary deposit in Isla Huapi revealed the presence of the
mechanism of dune migration (Kocurek, 1996). gastropods Crepipatella cf. dilatata, Crucibulum
170 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

FIG. 5. Selected sedimentary facies and attributes belonging to facies association FA 3. A. Sp/St facies with relatively abundant
Ophiomorpha/Thalassinoides isp burrows, Isla del Rey; B. Detail of Ophiomorpha isp pellet lined burrow; C. Shellbeds (Ssh)
in Isla del Rey preserved as iron coated molds; D. Rare carbonate preservation in Ssh facies in Isla Huapi. Note closely spaced
Aulacomya sp valves in right portion; E. Sh/Sr facies in Playa Grande, ripple bedding showing bidirectional trends; F. Sht facies
with prominent mud drapes, Isla de Mancera; G. Complex 3D ripple lamination, Isla de Mancera; H. Paleosoil (P) within sand
bodies in Playa Grande (Niebla). Hammer head marks the contact surface between paleosoil and overlying sand, note erosive
character of contact, including rip up, iron indurated soil clasts within basal portion of sandstone.
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 171

quiriquinae, Nassarius gayi, and Columbella cf. Mancera. Here sand bodies are usually one meter
rubra along with the bivalves Choromytilus chorus, thick and tens of meters wide, exhibiting parallel
Aulacomya atra, Tagelus dombeii, Ameghinomya or subparallel stratification along with ripple
antiqua, and Cumingia mutica (Fig. 6), indicating cross bedding (Sh/Sr). Fossil preservation within
a water depth of less than 20 m. Here bivalves sand layers is rather poor, yet clay filled molds
preserve both valves still attached to one another or resembling plant remains and barnacles have been
lying closely together. Carbonate preservation within observed. Flasers and mud drapes locally gain
these deposits is extremely rare, nevertheless molds abundance conforming a fairly heterolithic facies
resembling these same species are widely distributed (Sfl/Sht; Fig. 5). Eventually, these sand bodies grade
within this FA (Fig. 5). laterally to massive or trough cross bedded (Sm/St),
Toward the coast a distinctive pattern of finning upward units resting upon concave-up
alternating sand and fines bodies develops, especially surfaces. Fines within this FA consist of crudely
conspicuous in Playa Grande (Niebla) and Isla de laminated silt or massive silty clay, filling concave

FIG. 6. Pleistocene Mollusca from Huapi Island. A-B. Ameghinomya antiqua, length 47.3 mm; C-D. Cumingia mutica, length
30.6 mm; E-F. Choromytilus chorus, height of fragment 90.8 mm; G, L. Aulacomya atra, height 75 mm; H-I. Nassarius gayi,
height 12.8 mm; J-K. Columbella cf. rubra, height 7.8 mm; M-P. Tagelus dombeii, length 88 mm; Q-R. Crepipatella cf. dilatata,
diameter 44 mm; S-T. Crucibulum quiriquinae, diameter 31 mm.
172 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

up surfaces (Fl). The basal portion usually contains 4.3.3. Interpretation

abundant, decimeter long wood fragments, while FA 3 is interpreted as an estuary mouth sandy
fossil leaves are dominant upward. Some of these complex, including barrier islands/lagoon systems
silt bodies show rootlets and increasing organic and tidal bars (Dalrymple et al., 1992; Dalrymple
content toward the top, grading to well developed, and Choi, 2007). Sp/St facies represent ebb and
wood bearing peat layers (C). flood oriented migrating sand bars, ripple cross
These facies grade laterally to decimeter thick lamination in the base conforming the bottomsets
clayey paleosoils (F). Where this alternating pattern of fully developed megaripple stratification. This
fades, several meters thick sand successions formed accounts for the bidirectional paleocurrent indicators
by parallel or trough cross bedded, one to two meters as well as fossil content. Tightly related Ssh facies
thick packages occur. Individual laminae show represent abandoned channel fills, as inferred from
predominantly normal grading, although inversely crude bedding and concave up geometry. Species
graded, sometimes inclined laminae are not rare. Each described within these deposits tightly resemble
package is bounded by a flat reactivation surface faunal assemblages inhabiting the bay at present
characterized by fine sediment and plant remains time and could be related to open bay or saline
accumulation. Rootlets are common and weathering conditions, although further taphonomical data are
degree suggests incipient pedogenesis. needed in order to certainly reconstruct the degree of
Soft sediment deformation structures are ubi- transport to which these fossils were subjected. Sh/
quitous within FA 3, particularly, yet not restricted Sr/Sfl/Sht along with Fl/C/Fm facies are inferred to
to contacts in which sand overlies peat layers. Here have formed under the back barrier environment, as
flame structures and fully developed load casts occur. tidal flats and minor channel fills, including swamps
Where sand successions lie on top of clay strata and peat bogs developed as abandoned channels get
incipient diapirism can be observed, deformation filled with sediment. This is consistent with fossil
protruding upward into sand facies (Fig. 5). wood and leaves, that together with rootlets and peat
Additionally, two growth faults have been recorded development are indicative of shallow continental
in Playa Grande, where sand accumulation is thickest environments closely emplaced amid forested areas.
(Fig. 5). Sand successions exhibiting Sh/St facies with rootlets
and frequent reactivation surfaces are interpreted as
4.3.2. Occurrence washover facies. This incorporates the variability
Facies association 3 is distributed along the in grading and sedimentary structures as derived
coast, exclusively around the Valdivia river outlet. from the interplay between aeolian, gravitational
Innermost sections conformed by Sp/St facies occur and water driven processes, as well as vegetation
at both sides of Isla del Rey, through the Valdivia incipient development since activity within this
and Tornagaleones rivers (Fig. 1B). Shellbeds are environment is virtually restricted to stormweather.
concentrated toward the south, from the western tip The southern channelization of sand bodies (Sm/St)
of Isla del Rey to Ensenada San Juan. All of these together with the prominent channel fill represent
facies are related to terrace flights following the river a tidal inlet cutting through the barrier island. The
courses. Alternating sand and fines are prominent in overall maturity of sand grains, as expressed by its
Isla de Mancera and Playa Grande, where it grades high rounding degree is in good agreement with this
laterally to the younger unit pertaining to FA 1, and interpretation since most sand within the estuary
unconformably overlies the older one. In Playa Grande mouth complex is derived from marine reworking
there is a marked north-south trend whereby Sh/Sr and barrier sands cannibalization.
grades to Sm/St and Fl/Fm to P, accompanied by an
overall increase in sand over fines culminating in 4.4 Facies association 4 (FA 4): Central estuary
completely sand dominated sections. A prominent
>40 m channel fill characterizes the southern end of 4.4.1. Description
exposure, cutting into Sh/Sr/Sfl facies (Fig. 5). Here This association is predominantly formed by fine
FA 3 grades upward to FA 2 facies interpreted as dune sand and mud in a variety of combinations. The most
deposits, exhibiting the characteristic topography abundant facies consist of horizontally stratified,
and raising to almost 60 m a.s.l. subangular to subrounded sand with abundant
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 173

mud drapes (Sht). Ripples (Sr) and flasers (Sfl) are is ubiquitous. Epsilon cross bedded units occur within
commonly associated with this facies. Fossil bivalves these central facies as isolated, ~30 cm high and
(molds) and bivalve burrows are common, although few meters wide, lateral accreting, channel shaped
density is rather low. Veneridae and Tagelus sp. have bodies (Fig. 7D).
been identified (Fig. 7A), usually preserving both
valves. Some fossils are still in vertical position 4.4.2. Occurrence
while some others have been slightly displaced, FA 4 is widely distributed along the central portion
specially where abundance increases. Small, mud of the estuary through the Valdivia and Tornagaleones
filled arthropod burrows occur within Sr/Sf l facies, rivers (Fig. 1) including small tributaries. It grades
attaining enough density as to obliterate primary to FA 3 toward the coast near the western tip of Isla
sedimentary structures (Fig. 7B). Toward the valley del Rey. Outcrops are restricted to the lower half
edge, Sr/Sfl/Sht facies interlock with a massive or of terraces, the upper portion remains covered by
crudely bedded very fine sandstone with abundant dense vegetation.
bivalve molds (Fm; Fig. 7C). Near the center of
the valley Sht grades to wavy-based trough cross 4.4.3. Interpretation
bedded sandstone with abundant mud drapes (St/Sht). This facies association is inferred to have formed
Sand grains are middle sized, subrounded and well under the central estuarine environment (central basin
sorted. Mud intraclasts accumulate within small in Dalrymple et al., 1992). Sht/Sfl facies forms under
(0.5 m wide) troughs. Calcareous fragmented material oscillating flow conditions, where flow velocity

FIG. 7. Selected sedimentary facies and attributes belonging to facies association FA 4. A. Sht facies, arrow points to fossil bivalve
(mold). Note abundant disrupted mud drapes; B. Sht facies with ripples and flaser bedding. Small, mud filled arthropod burrows
dug into dark sand are neatly visible in the upper portion; C. Fm facies towards the valley edge in Estancilla. Arrow points to
fossil Tagelus sp.; D. Lateral accreting unit (epsilon cross-bedded) within Sht/St facies, arrow indicates the lower bounding
surface, accreting surfaces accumulated from left to right. Scale bar is one meter long.
174 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

variations provide enough energy for sand transport outcrops as 1-2 m thick packages of mostly parallel
alternating with tranquil conditions as for mud to settle. stratified deposits (Sh). Sand grains are subangular to
This, together with the fossil fauna might relate to subrounded and moderately sorted. Rippled layers (Sr)
slightly brackish environments. St/Sht facies toward the are disclosed as a widespread feature within Sh facies
valley axis are thought to reflect the grading from tidal by means of mud and small plant remains accumulated
flats and marshes toward the central basin, representing as flasers, otherwise hardly noticed due to grain
tidally influenced sand bars. Both grain size increase size homogeneity obscuring sedimentary structure
and cross bedding agree with the transition to higher (Fig. 8A). Reactivation surfaces are characterized
energy conditions, while mud drapes and intraclasts by centimeter scale troughs or cut and fill structures
record the rhythmic variability between bedload and filled with mud, along with slightly weathered
suspension depositional processes, conforming the surfaces. Isolated, concave upward, meter scale fills
expected channel bar facies for the central estuary occur as a rather rare attribute. Poorly developed
(Dalrymple and Choi, 2007). Sand roundness is paleosoils (P), consisting of a centimeter to decimeter
consistent with fluvial derived sediment. thick, weathered and rootled layer are present within
Sh/Sr/St facies as laterally discrete units (Fig. 8B).
4.5. Facies association 5 (FA 5): Estuarine bayhead Laminated, deeply rootled clayey silt with occasional
delta sand laminae or sand layers (Fl) usually cape FA 5
sequences, forming laterally extensive units (Fig. 8C).
4.5.1. Description Coarser sand deposits occur as trough cross bedded
This facies association gathers mud, medium to units (St). Troughs are amalgamated, meter scale
very fine sands and scarce gravel deposits. Fine sand features filling up wider, irregularly based scours

FIG. 8. Facies belonging to facies association FA 5. A. Sh/Sr facies, note mud-filled scours bounded by an erosion surface on top
(lower arrow), interpreted as a reactivation surface after waning flow. Upper arrow points to small scale mud filled scours
inferred to have formed as flasers; B. Weakly developed paleosoil (arrow at the base); C. Fl facies showing silica+clay coated
root casts; D. St facies.
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 175

(Fig. 8D). Sand grains are subangular to subrounded, facies and fine sediments as well. Typical outcrops
moderately sorted and rarely include pebble-sized consist of trough and planar cross-stratified, well
well rounded gravel clasts. A third, spatially related sorted gravel (Gt/Gp), bounded by concave-up or
facies consists of horizontally laminated sand and mud irregular surfaces. Sand or pebbly sand deposits
(Sht). This facies is poorly exposed, still consistently (St/Sp) are commonly interbedded (Fig. 9A-B). Both
exhibits alternating centimeter scale laminae with gravel and sandy deposits are arranged in fining
abundant rootlets. upward, one to two meters thick layers. Cobble sized
clayey intraclasts are ubiquitous within this facies,
4.5.2. Occurrence and commonly include rootlets. There is a marked
FA 5 is distributed throughout the Valdivia city decline in gravel content following the downstream
and immediate surroundings (Fig. 1B). It grades direction, giving way to mostly sand facies. Fines
to FA 4 (central estuary) westwards and to FA 6 within this FA consist of laminated silt and mud (Fl)
(fluvial) toward the north and east. It is associated conforming meter scale thick deposits, alternating
with a fan shaped topography which has inherited with St facies and extending laterally for tens of
a distributary drainage pattern, showing a down dip meters. Soft sediment deformation is fairly common
hight decrease remarkably conspicuous through the and locally intense, giving rise to convolute bedding
eastern portion of the fan. and associated structures (Fig. 9C-E). Within these
laminae organic remains are ubiquitous, fossil leaves
4.5.3. Interpretation being most abundant. Vertical, near 30 cm long
Deposits conforming FA 5 are interpreted as an rootlets are fairly common.
estuarine bayhead delta. St facies are concordant
with fluvial channel deposits and are taken here 4.6.2. Occurrence
to represent the riverine input to the delta, in good FA 6 is widely distributed along the river
agreement with sand grain roundness degree and courses, from late Pleistocene moraine ridges in
moderate sorting. Sht facies, spatially related to St and the Andean piedmont toward the coast. As gravel
sharing grain attributes can be related to upper banks content decreases, this facies association grades to
or vegetated bars. The more widespread Sh/Sr/St fine FA 5, interpreted as an estuarine bayhead delta. The
sand facies is inferred to result from a combination of most distal gravel bearing deposits are observed in
unconfined and confined flow conditions, resembling Collico and Rebellín (Fig. 1B). Downstream from
the deposits of over-bank sedimentation (North and this point FA 6 is rarely present, with two important
Davidson, 2012). The combination of flat beds with exceptions. The first is an outcrop near the center of
rippled surfaces and mud drapes is taken as the result the fan, coinciding with the onset of an eastwards
of waning flow conditions, thus supporting the over- hight decrease trend described for FA 5. The second
bank interpretation. Weak paleosoil development outcrops further toward the coast, in Isla del Rey,
within laterally discrete units represents subaereal where it unconformably overlies FA 3 deposits. Fines
exposure limited to the higher portions of sedimentary are scarcely present within FA 6, usually as remnants
surfaces, still affected to sedimentary processes bounded by an upper erosive surface within Gt/Gp
inasmuch as to hinder further pedogenic activity. Fl facies. Thicker (tens of meters) and well preserved
facies, mainly developed by suspension settling of fine deposits occur around the confluence of tributaries
fine particles are related here to swamps occupying and the Calle Calle river, between Huellelhue and
the interfluve areas. The overall fan shape related Antilhue (Fig. 1B).
to this FA, in addition to the along dip connection
between fluvial and central estuary facies further 4.6.3. Interpretation
supports the bayhead delta view. FA 6 is interpreted as fluvial deposits. Gt/Gp
and St/Sp deposits are inferred to represent channel
4.6. Facies association 6 (FA 6): Fluvial bar facies. This is consistent with sedimentary
structures and the erosive character of bounding
4.6.1. Description surfaces. Along with the fining upward trend within
This facies association is mainly composed by individual layers, these deposits tightly resemble
gravel and coarse sand deposits, but integrates sandy the fill of minor channels under an unstable channel
176 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

FIG. 9. Sedimentary facies and attributes belonging to facies association FA 6. A. Gp/Gt facies upstream through the Calle Calle
river, near Los lagos; B. Gp/Gt and Sp/St facies downstream through the Iñaque river (Mafil); C. Fl facies alternating with St
facies through the Calle Calle river, near Huellelhue, inferred as floodplain facies. White box shows area enlarged in panel E;
D. Detail of St facies within section in panel C; E. Detail of Fl facies within section in panel C, note convolute bedding in contacts.

network. This is specially true around the locality of sedimentation within the floodplain realm. This is
Mafil, included in a mayor fan shaped plain heading in good agreement with grain size, sedimentary
toward the Cruces river (Fig. 1). Taking into account structures and the presence of rootlets. Soft sediment
both sedimentologic and geomorphologic character deformation would derive from high sedimentation
this fan is inferred to represent an abandoned braid rates during flooding events, paused by subaerial
plain. Fines are interpreted as the result of overbank exposure periods during which vegetation developed.
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 177

4.7. Facies association 7 (FA 7): Slope deposits (Gm; Fig. 10A). The base of these layers typically
retains a coarse, crudely sorted gravel deposit. Medium
4.7.1. Description to coarse, well sorted, parallel or horizontally stratified
This FA is dominated by matrix supported, poorly sand deposits (Sp/Sh) occur as lenses within this FA
sorted chaotic gravel deposits (Gms). Clast size (Fig. 10B), sometimes related to well sorted, trough
ranges from granule to cobble, with rare boulders cross bedded gravel (Gt) within the granule size range.
scattered within some sections. Clasts are usually These lenses are bounded by irregular surfaces, the
angular to subangular, but rounded clasts are not upper usually erosive in character. Clay or clayey
rare, specially within the coarser fraction. Four other silt units are interbedded with these deposits. They
facies commonly occur interbedded with Gms. The commonly form laterally discrete units and show
most common consists of moderately sorted, clast rootlet traces and abundant iron oxides (P; Fig. 10).
supported gravel, normally grading to coarse sand Peat layers (C) are also encountered within this

FIG. 10. Sedimentary facies belonging to facies association FA 7. A. Typical outcrop showing Gms/Gm and Sp/Sh/Gt facies; B. Detail
of Sp/Sh facies; C. Interlocking with FA 3 fines in Isla de Mancera. All FA 7 deposits are confined to small catchments or
hillsides, interlocking laterally with other facies associations; D. Interbedded paleosoils (P) delimited by dashed lines, distal
fan facies, Agua del Obispo (1 km west from Cutipay). Scale bar is 1 m high.
178 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

FA. They include abundant fossil plants including flow deposits, while Gm represents the reworking of
wood remains in good preservation state. Some peat these deposits by small streams, increasing sorting
layers show a high content of angular granule clasts. and structure but retaining a coarse lag that surpasses
Clasts are predominantly derived from the local the stream competence. Sp/Sh/Gt facies are here
metamorphic basement. This FA includes most of related to fluvial sedimentation by minor streams,
what has previously been described as autochthonous while P and C facies result from the development
facies (Latorre et al., 2007). of soils and swamps, respectively.

4.7.2. Occurrence 5. Discussion

FA 7 is generally confined to the proximity to
steep hillsides or small local catchments, lacking direct 5.1. Depositional model, paleogeography and timing
fluvial connection to the Andean range. Strata are
often inclined, approaching horizontality as distance Facies associations described so far conform neatly
from the hillside increases, along with a general grain to the dip oriented facies distribution depicted in most
size and layer thickness decrease. They are laterally estuarine facies models (Allen and Posamentier, 1993;
interlocked with other facies associations. Dalrymple et al., 1992; Dalrymple and Choi, 2007),
with all major transitions from fluvial input through
4.7.3. Interpretation central estuary to the mouth complex distributed along
These deposits are interpreted as the result ~20 km (Fig. 11). Considering the prominent barrier
of alluvial, gravitational dominated sedimentary FA and evidence of subaerial facies within FA 3 a
processes. Gms facies are strongly related to debris wave dominated estuary seems likely to be the case

FIG. 11. Distribution pattern for facies associations described in section 4. Dating results are also included. Samples for 14C dating
where taken from sites not covered by this figure, see table 2 for details.
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 179

(Dalrymple et al., 1992). This paleovalley system early MIS 5e retrograding coastal strata, although it
(sensu Blum et al., 2013) incorporates all outcrops could certainly be older than that. Subsurface mapping
throughout the main river courses, uncomformably and further dating is needed in order to shed light on
overlying coastal strata distributed along the coast this. Two samples within the paleovalley fill were
from the Valdivia river outlet northwards to Curiñanco subjected to OSL dating, one from shallow marine
(Fig. 11; Fig. 1). shoreface-foreshore deposits spatially related to the
A broad chronologic framework for this complex mouth bar complex and one from the central estuary
is derived from two OSL and three radiocarbon dates FA. The latter rendered an incalculable age due to
(Table 2). The coastal allostratigraphic unit was dated quartz OSL saturated signal. The former returned an
in Loncoyén through OSL on aeolian quartz grains age of 94.05±5.63 ka, relating the paleovalley fill to
retrieved from dune strata (FA 2), returning an age MIS 5c-b. This basal portion of the coastal valley
between 120-140 kaBp. The sample was taken from fill, represents an open embayment, with barrier
the basal portion of the top most Sp set, representing a development restricted inasmuch as to maintain saline
maximum age for dune reactivation and migration to conditions within the bay, allowing the development
that point. It also gives a close estimation of a maximum of Aulacomya/Nassarius shellbeds in Isla del Rey and
age for the entire coastal bar sequence within MIS 5e. Ensenada San Juan. It is uncomformably overlain by
This coastal unit thus represents the last interglacial a partially filled estuary complex involving barrier,
deposits, meaning that the paleovalley system involving central basin and fluvial/bayhead delta FAs. As
most sediments studied here is necessarily younger. opposed to the basal unit, faunal assemblages within
This differs from previous interpretations (Illies, the upper portion in Ensenada San Juan resemble the
1970; Latorre et al., 2007; Rojas, 1990), although central estuary, suggesting slightly brackish rather
the possibility of a non strictly interglacial (MIS 5e) than fully saline conditions.
age has been suggested twice from paleobotanical Fluvial deposits extend basinward to Carboneros
analysis (Astorga and Pino, 2011). (Isla del Rey) through the Valdivia river while silty
The paleovalley fill directly overlies a marine channelized strata (FA 5) cape the sequence through
ravinement surface in Playa Grande (Niebla), scarped the Tornagaleones river, recording bayhead delta
upon shallow marine strata. This basal unit, composed progradation over the filling estuary. The contact
of upper to lower shoreface facies (i.e., the older between both allostratigraphic units is easily traceable
FA 1 unit), lies roughly at present day sea level, as around the bay, although it varies greatly in character,
opposed to MIS 5e shoreline deposits in Calfuco from a tide ravinement surface in Playa Grande
rising ~40 m a.s.l. (Fig. 1B). It possibly represents through a thick paleosoil in Playa Chica (Niebla) and

TABLE 2. OSL AND 14C DATING RESULTS.

Grain size Dose rate OSL age

Sample Location Lab Code Eq dose (Gy)
(μm) (mGy/yr) (kaBP)

CAL 39°49’12.43”S 73°24’12.43”W - - - 0.5 120-140

PCH 39°52’24.96”S 73°23’57.84”W UIC3526 250-355 93.97±5.01 1.00±0.016 94.05±5.63

EST 39°5034.08”S 73°18’39.6”W UIC3215 100-150 Saturated - -

14
C age 1σ age range
Sample Location Lab Code Material δ13C
(kaBP) (cal kaBP)

MAF 1 39°42’7.03”S 73°02’08.16”W AA102300 Charcoal -27.1 15.4±3.2 14.3-22.3

MAF 2 39°40’15.51”S72°58’43.43”W AA102301 Charcoal -27.7 15.3±3.1 14.2-22

LLAG 39°51’3.6”S 72°48’41.04”W UCI101677 Wood - 44.3±2.1 45.9-49.3

180 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

Isla del Rey, to a f lat sharp surface in Ensenada San amalgamated channel fill (Blum et al., 2013) toward
Juan (Fig. 12). The innermost trace of this contact the eastern portion of the bayhead delta fan, rendering
is in Cutipay, where fluvial/tidal sand bars overlie a likely scenario in which this area, where up and
thin fossiliferous sandstones. It is not possible to downstream controls overlap, retains a record spanning
follow this surface further up dip through the central most of the last glacial cycle, effectively portraying
estuary FA, probably due to poor exposure as most “mean conditions” (see Blum and Tornqvist, 2000
outcrops within this portion remain half covered and Blum et al., 2013 for a discussion on this idea)
by vegetation. rather than glacial or interglacial extremes.
Development of the subaerial unconformity over
MIS 5c-b shoreface and tidal bar deposits requires 5.2. Sequence stratigraphy
relative sea level fall, while tidal reworking of this
surface followed by barrier migration/reestablishment In sequence stratigraphic terms, the deposits
over Playa Grande records transgression, likely described here correspond to a 4th-order cycle
related to MIS 5b-a glacioeustatic sea level oscillation highstand prism (Catuneanu et al., 2011), punctuated
(Fig. 13). by three high frecuency sequences (HFS; Catuneanu
Radiocarbon dates were obtained from fluvial and Zecchin, 2013; Zecchin and Catuneanu, 2013),
sediments from Los Lagos and the Mafil-Iñaque plain, likely corresponding to sea level highstands during
returning ages within MIS 3 and MIS 2, respectively. MIS 5e-c-a. A regressive surface of marine erosion
The connection between the latter and the bayhead (RSME) truncates basal shallow marine strata in
delta is tight, not only in geomorphological terms Playa Grande, marking the base of the second HFS.
but also through the smooth gradation of facies This basal strata could belong to retrograding coastal
between each other, as suggested by Mella et al. sands related to a MIS 5e transgressive system tract
(2012) (Fig. 8-9-11). (TST), although this can not be unambiguously
It is likely that the delta fan continued to act as a asserted from currently available data. Back barrier
distributary system through a substantial portion of facies overlying this surface represent transgressive
the regressive phase associated with the last glacial deposits of the second HFS, and are truncated by
period, effectively linked to the sandar plains and thus a tidal ravinement surface (TR) and a subaereal
to upstream controlling factors, at this time creating unconformity (SU; Fig. 15). The maximum flooding
accommodation space through increased sediment surface is either cryptic or, more likely, lying below
supply (Blum and Tornqvist, 2000; Blum et al., 2013) present day sea level. Other contacts used for the
in response to glacier fluctuations. This is related to allostratigraphic approach are within trend facies
local topographic constraints, since storage space contacts, lacking sequence stratigraphic significance.
is severely reduced by the absence of the Central The entire coastal exposure thus corresponds to the
Depression, upstream controlled river response highstand system tract (HST), and possibly a small
signatures, such as aggradation induced by sediment portion of the TST in Playa Grande. If our morpho-
overloading during glacial-deglacial periods, should stratigraphic inferences on the relation of the eastern
be displaced downstream reaching what today are portion of the bayhead delta fan to MIS 3-2 fluvial
coastal regions. This scenario could account for the deposits are correct, this would belong to the falling
morphological height decrease trend of fan lobes in stage system tract (FSST). Poor exposure makes
Valdivia toward the east, as progressively younger the sequence stratigraphic approach rather limited
morphostratigraphical units that remained linked to for outcrop correlation here, although it will surely
the main fluvial systems, until incision, initiated at prove valuable for future correlation with subsurface
the coast or further into the shelf, migrated upstream mapping. The relationships between sequence
eventually confining the Calle-calle and Cruces stratigraphically and allostratigraphically derived
rivers to their present courses, sometime between models are depicted in figure 14.
MIS 3 and MIS 2.
This combined allo-chrono-morphostratigraphic 5.3. Volcanic imprint
approach allows the construction of a fourfold
paleogeographic evolutionary model (Fig. 14). This Among all studied outcrops and having combed
model implies the development of a degradational the area by land and water, we found no trace
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 181

FIG. 12. Contact surfaces (dashed lines) separating both allostratigaphic units inferred to have formed during MIS 5c and MIS 5a.
A. Tidal ravinement surface (TRS) in Playa Grande. Scale bar is 10 m long; B. Subaerial unconformity between Playa Grande
and Playa Chica. This surface is a continuation of TRS in A. Scale bar is 5 m long; C. Sharp contact between estuarine and
prograding fluvial facies, Carboneros. Scale bar is 2 m long; D. Flat sharp contact in Ensenada San Juan, scale bar is 2 m
long. See text for details.
182 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

FIG. 13. 14C and OSL date ranges constraining the chronostratigraphycal model for late Pleistocene infill within the area around
Valdivia city, against the LR04 marine δ18O % stack, reflecting global ice volume (Lisiecki and Raymo, 2005). See section
5 for discussion on context and significance of individual dates.

FIG. 14. Evolutionary model for the Valdivia basin through the last glacial cycle. A. MIS 5e. Only coastal strata remain from this
stage through the NW portion of depicted area; B. MIS 5c. Wave dominated estuary with barrier development at the mouth,
retaining saline conditions within the outer estuary. Central basin facies not drawn; C. MIS 5a. Partially filled estuary, bayhead
delta prograded almost to the coast, restricted brackish environment within the outer estuary; D. MIS 4-2. Part of the former
bayhead delta still acting as a distributary system. Accommodation space sustained by glacially induced increase in sediment
supply despite sea level drop. Incision migrating upstream will eventually cause the fan to be abandoned.
Vega et al. / Andean Geology 45 (2): 161-185, 2018 183

FIG. 15. Sequence stratigraphic model for the exposed late Pleistocene infill in the area around Valdivia city. Bars in the right refer
to allostratigraphic units. Encircled numbers designate high frequency cycles. Vertical boxes reflect exposed sections.
RS: ravinement surface, SU: subaerial unconformity.

of volcaniclastic processes direct incidence. Of they lack comparison with equivalent sedimentary
course, volcanism is the main source of sediment, environments through the glacial counterpart.
but paleoenvironmental reconstruction suggests this
is transported and deposited in the area mainly as 6. Conclusions
epiclastic material. Sediments reaching the trench
off Valdivia, as described by Heberer et al. (2010), The late Pleistocene sedimentary rock sequence
are strikingly similar to those described here. Sand outcropping around Valdivia city, locally known as
grains there are commonly subangular to subrounded, Cancagua, represents the last interglacial highstand
as are those pertaining to river influenced FAs prism. It is not restricted to MIS 5e but instead
described above (fluvial, bayhead delta and central incorporates deposits spanning most of the last glacial
estuary). Furthermore, they match what is to be cycle. MIS 5e strata outcrop exclusively within the
expected, in terms of composition, from an active coastal cliffs between Los Molinos and Curiñanco.
forearc (Heberer et al., 2010). We therefore find no Deposits exposed within the valley derive from a
need to invoke specific volcanic events in order to wave dominated estuary developed during MIS 5c-a
account for the volcaniclastic component within these that got almost entirely filled prior to sea level fall
rocks. Rather than that, volcaniclastic input seems associated with the establishment of glacial conditions
to dominate the sand sized fraction when there is a during MIS 4-2. It is likely that accommodation
direct fluvial connection to the Andean Cordillera, space remained available within the former bayhead
while autochthonous sediments dominate in small delta after initial sea level fall in response to glacial
localized catchments and slope related deposits (Mella influence on fluvial graded profile, accumulating
et al., 2012). This is likely related to the lability of sediments within this area as late as MIS 3-2. There is
volcaniclastics in contrast to plutonics in the Andes. no trace of any direct impact of volcanism in the area
The sand sized fraction tends to accumulate within other than being the dominant source for sedimentary
the coastal plain and nearshore environments, being systems connected to the Andean drainage.
tightly coupled to sea level, and thus concentrated
predominantly in the highstand and lowstand coastal Acknowledgments
prisms as in the shelf. This sediment further nurtures This work was possible thanks to financial support
the lower shelf and trench, accounting for the by CONICYT, MECESUP AUS 1203 and DID-UACh
similarity between turbiditic sands and those river 201204. R. Brümmer provided invaluable field assistance
borne described here. Previous statements about the and fruitful discussions on the subject, plus friendly
intensity of volcanism within interglacial periods encouragement whenever needed. Careful revisions by
over that of glacials based on volcaniclastic content Dr. W. Vivallo and Dr. P. Duhart greatly enhanced the
within these rocks (Illies, 1970) are misleading, as first version, both in form and content.
184 Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a late Pleistocene incised valley fill...

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Manuscript received: January 16, 2017; revised/accepted: January 11, 2018; available online: January 31, 2018.