Paleomagnetism and Aeromagnetic Survey From Tancitaro Volcano (Central Mexico) - Paleo-Secular Variation at Low Latitudes During the Past 1 Ma

Abstract

The Tancitaro volcano (TV) is part of the Michoacan-Guanajuato monogenetic volcanic field (MGVF) in the central-western sector of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). Results of a paleomagnetic study of radiometrically dated lava flows from Tancitaro volcano were used to investigate the paleosecular variation (PSV) and time averaged field (TAF) at low latitudes. Ar-Ar dates range from ~70 to 960 kyr spanning the Brunhes and Matuyama polarity chrons. All samples yielded well defined normal polarity magnetization. Two flows are correlated to the Jaramillo polarity event, which provide a useful marker for the volcanic activity in the MGVF. For the PSV and TAF analysis, paleodirections were combined with previously reported high standard results. The aeromagnetic survey around the Tancitaro volcano was characterized by a trend of regional anomalies over the volcanic structures. The residual field showed several positive and negative anomalies. The Tancitaro volcano is marked by a broad positive anomaly suggesting the presence of a large underground source. Spectral analysis of this anomaly field gives an average estimate to the top of the source bodies between 2-3 km.