Water Resource Distribution and Tectonics in the Tulum Valley, Western Central Argentina

Abstract

A gravimetric analyse over the Tulum Valley was made. This data was used to reveal the tectonic structures in the Valley. Gravity data was processed using upward continuation and vertical derivative filters and all the results were compared with drainage systems and groundwater maps of the area. Both groundwater and surface-water are highly demanded resources due to their scarcity. The drainage network and groundwater are influenced by tectonic structures in the Tulum valley. In the piedmont of the Sierra Chica de Zonda the broom-shaped river pattern correspond to Quaternary faults. While in the central Tulum Valley, the depocenter basin is a water recipient, the groundwater table permanently close to the surface and they are considered discharge. The depocenter is linked to paleo-swamps and wetlands in a past wetter environment. In the Tulum fault systems area, streams adapt its drainage network bordering basements blocks uplifts. In turn, the blocks uplift behaves as a hydrogeological barrier for the groundwater basin. Also, in the alluvial fan of San Juan River the free aquifer is affected by a Tertiary uplift block. From this study, it was concluded that tectonic structures control surface and groundwater resources in the Tulum Valley.