Abstract

We describe the stratigraphy, age, geochemistry and correlation of tephra from west to east across the northern Patagonian Andes (c. 40-41 degrees S) with a view to further refining the eruptive history of this region back to the onset of the Last Glacial Termination (similar to 18 cal. ka). Eastwards across the Andes, rhyodacite to rhyolitic tephra markers of dominantly Puyehue-Cordon Caulle source are persistently recognised and provide a stratigraphic context for more numerously erupted intervening tephra of basalt to basaltic-andesite composition. Tephra from distal eruptive centres are also recognised.