Relation ships between tectonic structures, colluvial sedimentation and geomorphogenesis in the Manaus region, Amazonas

Author(s)

Roseane Ribeiro Sarges

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Geociências (IG/BT)
• Defense date: 2008-03-13

Examining board members

Claudio Riccomini; Alberto Garcia de Figueiredo Junior; Dilce de Fátima Rossetti; Telma Mendes da Silva; Kenitiro Suguio

• Advisor: Claudio Riccomini

Abstract

The landforms of the Manaus region, northeastern State of Amazonas, constitute an excellent example of the modification of landscape. This region is located between two large rivers, the Negro and the Amazonas, and has been subjected to denudation and tectonic events that occurred since the late Cretaceous and are the main mechanism for shaping the landscape of the Manaus region. Sedimentation and denudation in the region are recorded by colluvial deposits which are subdivided into four classes (DCA, DCB, DCC and DCD), based on their facies characteristics (mainly lithology) and composition of lithoclasts. The DCA consists of massive matrix-supported gravels (facies Cmsm), massive clast-supported gravels (facies Cmsc) and massive sands (facies Am). The DCB are characterized by gravels with semi-flint mudstone pebbles (facies Cmsf). The DCC consists of massive matrix-supported gravels (facies Cmsm) and fine gravels with inverse grading (facies Cgi). Finally, the DCD consists of massive matrix-supported gravels (facies Cmsm), or alternatively massive clast-supported gravels (facies Cmsc) and gravels with inverse grading (facies Cgi). The origin of these deposits has been attributed to various episodes of colluviation that likely occurred in the Pliocene or Pleistocene. The denudation and tectonic events generated sedimentary supply and sculpted the relief, leading to the erosion and pediplanation of sedimentary rocks in the studied region. The relief is characterized by fluvial and erosional terraces, valleys, floodplains, dissected divides (acute to tabular tops) and low declivities (averaging 8º). These geomorphic features are distributed in three topographical domains, &#916;h<50m, &#916;h=75m and &#916;h>100m. Topographical domain &#916;h>100m, which corresponding to the area between the Tarumã Mirim and Preto da Eva rivers, is a tabularshaped divide with varying degrees of dissection. Synsedimentary normal faults in the Alter do Chão Formation, attributed to an extensional N-S trending stress-field, indicate tectonic activity since the deposition of this Cretaceous formation. Subsequent tectonic pulses are related to a radial extensional regime that affected post-Cretaceous deposits. This was followed by an another extensional E-W trending regime that affected the immature lateritic profiles and Quaternary sediments. The tectonic events caused drainage anomalies, alignments of geomorphic features, reorganization of drainage networks and also imposed important modifications on the landscape in the region. The drainage anomalies include sharp inflections in drainage channels, rectilinear drainage segments and dammed channels. Two main landscape modifications took place: the first one is represented by the parallel configuration of the Tarumã Mirim, Tarumã Açu, Puraquequara and Preto da Eva rivers which are tributaries of the Negro-Amazonas river system, and the second one, a local readaptation of segments of the Cuieiras river. In addition, this later reorganization caused anomalous inflections and captures in the Cuieiras river channel and is associated with the formation of the topographical domain &#916;h=75m. This event was attributed to tectonics related to the radial extension. (AU)