Applicant: Prof. Dr. Matthias Hinderer, Dr. Jens Hornung

Funding: DFG 643/5-1 normal procedure

Persons in charge: Nils Lenhardt

Duration: 2006 – 2008

Summary

In the Miocene, a fundamental volcanic-tectonic change took place in Mexico, which was caused by a plate reorganization in the western Pacific. The Transmexican volcanic belt, which is still active today, has developed since the Middle Miocene, the formation of which is still controversial and little is known about its initial phase. The aim of the project, together with Mexican partners, is to develop a stratigraphic framework for this transition on the southern edge of the central Transmexican volcanic belt and thus to close a significant gap in knowledge of this area. The focus is on the largely unprocessed Miocene volcanoclastic Tepoztlan formation, which represents the decisive transition phase. The project is based on new mapping results, profile recordings, first finds of palynomorphs and paleomagnetic preliminary explorations.

Methods:

• Geological mapping
• Outcrop mapping
• Facies Analysis
• Architectural element analysis
• Petrophysics: porosity, permeability, gamma radiation, magnetic susceptibility and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), paleomagnetics
• Petrography: Thin section analysis and clay mineral analysis (X-ray diffractometry and SEM)
• Palynology of terrestrial deposits and “co-existence analysis” to determine the paleoclimatic conditions