This award supports cooperative research in the geochemistry of early volcanic rock to be conducted by Charles Stern of the University of Colorado at Boulder and Michael Dobbs of the University of Santiago, Chile. The work will involve field mapping and chemical analysis of Pliocene and early Quaternary Andean volcanic rocks near Santiago. These rocks were formed at the boundary between two distinct segments of the Andes across which important north to south differences occur in the angle of Pacific plate subduction, in spatial and petrochemical characteristics of recently active Andean volcanos and in significant geologic and tectonic features. The study will refine the understanding of the temporal and spatial relationships between the changing features near the north-south segment boundary, of Andean magma genesis and of the economically significant copper mineralization developed during Pliocene volcanism. In addition to the scientific results, this project allows for a significant international interchange and the training of graduate students from both the United States and from Chile. Also, it provides an opportunity for participation of the Chileans in the advanced analytical chemistry in Colorado. This kind of training and participation is an important feature of the Science in Developing Countries program.
