CENTRAL VOLCANIC DOMES OF THE CHIAPANECAN VOLCANIC ARC: A PETROLOGICAL
STUDY (PRELIMINAR RESULTS)
Abstract
The Chiapanecan Volcanic Arc it is located in the central portion of
Chiapas in southern Mexico. This volcanic arc it is merge in a
geological complex zone where the interaction of the North American,
Caribbean and Cocos plates, near the Motagua-Polochic fault system takes
place. The central part of the Chiapanecan Volcanic Arc it is conformed
by at least 10 volcanic structures. In this study we focus on five
volcanic domes known as La Iglesia, La Mispía, La Lanza, Venustiano
Carranza and Santotón. It is described that the volcanic activity in the
Chiapanecan Volcanic Arc was effusive accompanied by explosive and
phreatomagmatic events. The main lithology varies from andesitic to
dacitic rocks with porphyric texture. Both lithologies are mainly
composed of euhedral amphibole, pyroxene subhedral plagioclase, as well
as subhedral biotite as accessory mineral. It is possible to recognize
mafic microgranular enclaves with ovoidal shapes within the andesitic
rocks. This work aims to understand the petrological composition, the
magmatic activity and its relationship with the subduction of the Cocos
plate under the North American plate.