Source identification of volcanic ashes by geochemical analysis of well preserved lacustrine tephras in Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Abstract Well preserved volcanic ashes produced in recent events, recovered from sedimentary sequences extracted from three lakes belonging to Nahuel Huapi National Park, Northern Patagonia, were geochemically characterized in order to reveal patterns that allow the identification of the source. Two water bodies are situated in the direct impact area of volcanoes Calbuco and Puyehue-Cordon Caulle, while the third, lake Moreno, is situated in-between. The sedimentary sequences were dated by 210 Pb and 137 Cs techniques; the elemental composition was determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Distinctive patterns were found out when comparing glass shards, and also white pumice but in a lesser degree, of tephra layers extracted from lake Ilon, related mostly to volcano Calbuco events, and lake Nahuel Huapi (Brazo Rincon site), associated to Puyehue-Cordon Caulle eruptions. The geochemical parameters that showed decisive differences were SiO 2 and Na 2 O+K 2 O contents, the Eu anomaly, Rare Earth element ratios; the concentration of incompatible elements Cs, Rb, Th, Hf, Ta and Zr, and the compatible elements Cr and V. The six upper tephra layers extracted from lake Moreno showed geochemical patterns that allowed clear association with Calbuco and Puyehue-Cordon Caulle sources. These results set up the base for tephrochronological applications in historical periods in Nahuel Huapi National Park area.