Geochemical characterization of volcanic ashes from recent events in Northern Patagonia Andean Range by INAA

Summary Volcanic ashes erupted by recent magmatic events were collected from one sedimentary sequence of lake Nahuel Huapi (Patagonia, Argentina) and then analyzed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Primary volcanic components, including white and brownish pumice fragments, scoriae and glass shards, as well as bulk sediments from four tephra layers identified in the sedimentary sequence, were characterized by their major and trace element contents. The two tephra layers being in the upper section of the sequence can be linked to the eruptions of Cordon Caulle fissure (Puyehue-Cordon Caulle region) occurred in 1921-1922 and 1960, according to core dating. The third tephra layer, which is clearly associated to an event occurred in the 1890-1900 decade, has different compositional patterns showing a different source from those upper tephras. Whereas, the fourth, which could be associated to an event occurred at the end of the 18 th century, shows the same composition patterns as those registered for the Cordon Caulle fissure.