Abstract The aim of this work is to propose a new stratigraphic scheme of the Barriga Negra Formation, in order to solve the controversies in one of the most discussed units of Uruguay. Here, we introduce a new map (unmodified since 1984) and amend the stratigraphic profile for the Barriga Negra Formation, establishing the correct sequence, order and thickness, dividing it in four members (Volcaniclastic, Arkosic Conglomerate, Calcareous Conglomerate and Petromictic Conglomerate Member). We describe by first time the presence of basal volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks that implies a tectonic active environment. Volcaniclastic rock dating yield an U-Pb concordia age of 633 ± 3.4 Ma. Moreover, we show that this unit has no stratigraphic continuity with other units that previously were used to constrain its stratigraphic position, age and paleoenvironment. We confirm unequivocally that the unit is as a continental conglomeratic sequence deposited in arid and active tectonic conditions, and not transitional passive margin deposits as some works claim. Finally, we revisit the metamorphism, deformation, stratigraphy, structural relationships of this unit and identify new basement units. As consequence of this new evidence, we reexamine its correlation with other regional units. This work is also a key to understand the chaotic stratigraphic proposals of Uruguay..

RESUMO: Este trabalho resulta de um esforço de vários anos tentando usar a geologia de campo para descrever litologias, estabelecer relações de contato e perfazer a evolução tectônica das sucessões metassedimentares, de idades meso a neoproterozoicas, que foram deformadas dentro da Faixa de Xistos do Cinturão Dom Feliciano. Essas rochas constituem uma cobertura de baixo grau que repousa em cima do embasamento de alto grau metamórfico dos complexos La China e Las Tetas. Esse embasamento é de idade paleoproterozoica-arqueana. A Faixa de Xistos é sotoposta em discordância angular pela formação Barriga Negra. O Complexo Lavalleja e a formação Barriga Negra se deformaram junto durante o evento D2 (~ 570 - 540 Ma), mas a formação Barriga Negra registrou apenas parcialmente o evento transpressivo D2, enquanto o Complexo Lavalleja foi afetado pelos dois eventos (D1 e D2). O evento D1 teria desenvolvido uma dobra - nappe com vergencia para o sul. Essa hipótese é sustentada por diferentes estruturas: (i) dobras recumbentes e dobras retas orientadas E-W, (ii) Foliação subhorizontal milonítica em mármores (calco-xistos); (iii) lineações de estiramento mergulhando para SW em metaconglomerados do Complexo Las Tetas, e (iv) retrabalhamento da foliação subhorizontal, paralelamente à zona de cisalhamento transcorrente Sarandí del Yí.

ABSTRACT: This work is the result of a multiyear effort to use field geology to describe lithologies, to establish contact relationships and to create a sketch of the tectonic evolution of the Meso- to Neoproterozoic metasedimentary successions within the Schist Belt of the Dom Feliciano Belt. This low-grade metamorphic cover rests on the high-grade metamorphic basement of the La China and Las Tetas complexes. This basement is Archean-Paleoproterozoic in age. The Schist Belt is overlapped unconformably by the Barriga Negra formation. The Lavalleja complex and the Barriga Negra formation both deformed together during the D2 deformation event (~ 570 -540 Ma), but the Barriga Negra only partially recorded the D2 transpressive event, whereas the Lavalleja complex was affected by both the D1 tangential event and the D2 event. Event D1 would have developed a fold nappe with vergence to the south. This hypothesis is supported by different structures: (i) recumbent and upright folds oriented E-W, (ii) subhorizontal mylonitic foliation in marbles (calc-schists), (iii) stretching lineations plunging towards the SW in metaconglomerates of the Las Tetas Complex, and (iv) a reworking of the subhorizontal foliation parallel to the Sarandí del Yí strike-slip shear zone.

El Haz de Diques de San Gregorio de Polanco (Departamento de Tacuarembó, Uruguay) es la ocurrencia más meridional de diques pertenecientes a la Provincia Magmática Paraná en Uruguay. Fueron identificados cinco 5 diques principales con dos direcciones estructurales principales: N140º - N170º y N50º - N80º, respectivamente. Son diques de afinidad tholeítica compuestos por plagioclasa (An55), augita y augita-pigeonita, relictos de olivina y minerales opacos. Estos diques se caracterizan por el alto contenido de óxidos de Fe y Ti (titanomagnetitas), cuyas características mineralógicas y texturales fueron estudiadas con microscopio electrónico de barrido y espectrometría de energía dispersiva (SEM-EDS), incluyendo mapeos composicionales. Estas características junto con otras relaciones mineralógico-texturales presentes en estas rocas permitieron proponer la siguiente secuencia de cristalización: (i) cristalización de fenocristales de olivina, plagioclasa y piroxenos cálcicos; (ii) precipitación de una primera población de titanomagnetita, (iii) cristalización de plagioclasa y piroxenos conformando la matriz; (iv) disolución parcial de la primera población de titanomagnetitas por reacción con fluidos magmáticos; (v) cristalización de la segunda población de titanomagnetitas y finalmente, (vi) cristalización de barita intersticial.

The San Gregorio de Polanco Dike Swarm (Tacuarembó Department, Uruguay) is the southernmost set of dikes in the Paraná Magmatic Province of Uruguay. Five major dikes have been identified with two main structural trends: N140º-N170º and N50º-N80º. The dikes have tholeiitic affinities and are composed of plagioclase (An55), augite and augite-pigeonite, relicts of olivine and opaque minerals. These rocks have high contents of Fe-Ti oxides (titanomagnetites), the mineralogical and textural characteristics of which have been studied using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry techniques (SEM - EDS). These features, along with other mineralogical and textural relationships, have been used to propose the following crystallization sequence for the dikes: (i) crystallization of olivine, plagioclase and Ca-rich pyroxene phenocrysts; (ii) precipitation of the first population of Ti-magnetite; (iii) crystallization of plagioclase and pyroxene in the groundmass; (iv) partial dissolution of Ti-magnetite by reaction with magmatic fluids; (v) crystallization of the second population of Ti-magnetite and finally, (vi) crystallization of interstitial barite.