A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF RESULTS OBTAINED IN MAGNETOTELLURIC DEEP SOUNDINGS IN VILLARRICA ACTIVE VOLCANO ZONE (CHILE) WITH GRAVITY INVESTIGATIONS, DISTRIBUTION OF EARTHQUAKE FOCI, HEAT-FLOW EMPIRICAL RELATIONSHIPS, ISOTOPIC GEOCHEMISTRY SR-87/SR-86 AND SB-SYSTEMATICS

The first magnetotelluric deep soundings in Chile were carried out during 1986 in the Villarrica active volcano zone (39°25′S, 71°57′W). In the TM mode of polarization, the curves show a distorted segment with dispersion. A static distortion at long periods is observed in curves in the TE mode of polarization; the segment was shifted vertically to fit the geomagnetic global model values at daily periods. This modified curve was used for 1D modelling to determine the electrical structure in the study area. The upper level of the intermediate conducting layer of resistivity 20-60 ω m is found to be at 35-50 km depth. A higher resistivity layer (600 ω m), starting at 100 km depth, may be resolved in the intermediate conducting layer. A sharp decrease in the resistivity is shown by the model at 500 km. Large heterogeneities at the level of the conducting layer encountered in the 1D modelling, and increased resistivity of the ultimate layer, may account for distortion observed at long periods. Two-dimensional test models show that the conducting layer in the area of Villarrica volcano may be an anomalous heated layer surrounded by rocks of higher resistivity of about 2 × 103 ω m. These features correspond to the interaction with a subsiding oceanic lithosphere resulting in a complex thermal structure and perturbed resistivity distribution in transition zones of the Pacific type such as Chile, and to the existence of a megafault and a system of fractures in the sounding area. These facts make it difficult to determine the conductance of the electrical asthenosphere. The parameters of the model structure correlate well with geophysical and geochemical results obtained in the area by other workers. Gravity studies indicate a maximum crustal thickness of about 37 km, which implies a non-full compensation according to the Airy hypothesis. The morphology of the Wadati-Benioff zone clearly shows a sharp decrease of earthquake foci at 50 km depth, and a reinitiation of seismic activity from a depth of 100 km down to 160 km. Kaufman and Keller and Levi and Lysak empirical relationships between heat flow and thickness of the lithosphere are somewhat consistent when the parameters of the model structure are assumed. The strontium isotope ratios are indicative of minimal crustal contamination of mantle-derived magmas, thus allowing a relatively thin crust under the area. Furthermore, the SB index of partial melting of mantle peridotite may suggest the contribution of uprising material from the deep asthenosphere through fractures extending to depth. © 1990.