Salin Formation
Geological formation
AgeMiocene-Pliocene
PrilithologyVolcaniclastic sand, silt and gravel
OtherlithologyVolcanic ash, evaporite
RegionAntofagasta Region
CountryChile
Coordinates24°1′51.70″S 68°11′44.79″W
UnitofSalar de Atacama basin
Thicknessc. 200 m

Salin Formation (Spanish: Formación Salin) is a geological formation composed of alternations of volcanic sand, silt and gravel in inland Antofagasta Region, northern Chile.[1][2] The formation is poorly consolidated and include layers of volcanic ash and evaporite as well as lacustrine sediments.[1][3] The formation is overlaid by a permeable ignimbrite.[2] Based on geochemical similarities Socompa volcano may be the source for the upper units of the formation.[4] The formation is the main water-bearing geological unit of the Monturaqui-Negrillar-Tilopozo Aquifer.[1][5] The formation has been estimated to have medium to high permeability.[3]

References

  1. ^ Rissmann et al. 2015, p. 165.
  2. ^ Bravo Castro 2021, p. 57.
  3. ^ Lelli 2018, p. 23.
  4. ^ Rissmann et al. 2015, p. 166.
  5. ^ Anderson, Low & Foot 2002, p. 135.
Bibliography