Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97 119

www.elsevier.com/locate/jvolgeores

A major resurgent caldera in southern Mexico: the source of the

late Eocene Tilzapotla ignimbrite
D.J. Moran-Zenteno a,*, L.A. Alba-Aldave a, J. Sole a, A. Iriondo b,1
b

a
Instituto de Geologa, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 399, Boulder, CO 80309-0399, USA

Accepted 26 April 2004

Abstract
The Tilzapotla caldera constitutes the first discovery of a major Tertiary collapse volcanic structure south of the Mexican
Volcanic Belt. Although it is spatially associated with silicic ignimbrites in a region relatively distant from the extensive
ignimbritic province of the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO), it is among the largest collapse calderas documented in Mexico. The
caldera is defined by a 33  24 km semi-elliptical structure that encircles the largest exposures of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite and
corresponds to the structural margin rather than the topographic rim. A central uplifted block limited by NW-trending faults is the
main indication of a resurgent stage. The caldera structural margin is surrounded by extensive exposures of Cretaceous marine
sequences that structurally define a broad elliptical dome (45  35 km) originated in the first stage of the caldera evolution.
There is evidence showing that the 34 Ma Tilzapotla ignimbrite represents the climatic event of the caldera collapse. It is
constituted by a massive sequence of crystal vitric tuff with conspicuous euhedral biotite and abundant quartz. The intra-caldera
facies is intercalated with mega- and meso-breccias of limestone and anhydrite fragments derived from the slumping of the caldera
wall during the caldera collapse. The overlying sequence includes post-collapse ignimbrites as well as amphibole and pyroxene
bearing dacitic to andesitic lava flows. The age (33 to 32 Ma) and isotopic signatures of these lava flows indicate a resurgent event
related with the input of more primitive magmas into the magma chamber.
The rectilinear northeastern and southwestern segments of the structural margin of the caldera correspond to NW-trending
tectonic lineaments that are part of a regional strike-slip system, active at the time of the caldera formation. We interpret that the
NW tectonic structures defined zones of weakness that accommodated the caldera collapse in the northeastern and southwestern
segments of the caldera structural margin.
D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: collapse caldera; resurgent caldera; strike-slip tectonics; ignimbrite; mega-breccia; Mexico

1. Introduction
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +52-5-616-0557; fax: +52-5-5506644.
E-mail address: dantez@servidor.unam.mx
(D.J. Moran-Zenteno).
1
Present address: Centro de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional
Autonoma de Mexico, Campus Juriquilla, Queretaro, Qro., 76230
Mexico.
0377-0273/$ - see front matter D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2004.04.002

Although the Tilzapotla caldera is a volcanic structure with a remarkable semi-elliptical expression in
satellite images (Fig. 1), it was not recognized as a
major volcanic structure until recently (Moran-Zenteno
et al., 1998), probably due to the paucity of studies

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D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

Fig. 1. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image of the Tilzapotla caldera area. Tz = Tilzapotla ignimbrite, Tr = Rodarte ignimbrite, Tg = Gallego
ignimbrite, Ts = El Salto lava flows, Th = hypabyssal rocks, Gd = Coxcatlan granodiorite intrusion, Km = marine Cretaceous rocks. The caldera
structural margin and main tectonic lineaments are indicated. The area where the elliptical dome is recognizable is encircled by a finer dashed
line. Satellite image is provided by Industrias Penoles Mining Company.

focused on the Tertiary volcanic rocks in southern

Mexico. The caldera is spatially related to a discontinuous silicic volcanic cover distributed in southern
Morelos and northern Guerrero states, in the northern
Sierra Madre del Sur (Fig. 2A and B). It represents the
first discovery of a major collapse caldera south of the
Mexican Volcanic Belt and it is among the largest
reported in Mexico. Because of its age and depth of
erosion, expressed in an inverted relief, this volcanic

center clearly displays features of a ring fault zone. The

fact that the volcanic zone is surrounded by broad
exposures of Cretaceous marine rocks makes the features related with the caldera collapse more prominent
(Figs. 1 and 3).
Ignimbrites associated with the Tilzapotla caldera
are part of a discontinuous dissected belt of Tertiary
volcanic rocks that extends for about 600 km from the
states of Michoacan to Oaxaca (Moran-Zenteno et al.,

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

99

Fig. 2. (A) Sketch map of the central part of the northern Sierra Madre del Sur showing the distribution of Tertiary volcanic rocks and the main
Cenozoic tectonic features in the region. (B) Distribution of the ignimbritic rocks attributed in this study to the Tilzapotla caldera, including the
distribution of the outflow sheet remnants of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite.

1999). Volcanic rocks of this belt range in composition from basaltic-andesite to rhyolite. Coeval batholiths are broadly exposed along the exhumed
continental margin of southern Mexico. Both, the
Tertiary plutonic and volcanic belts represent the wide
magmatic arc of the Sierra Madre del Sur. It was
originated during subduction episodes along the Pacific margin previous to, and in part contemporary,
with the margin truncation attributed to the displacement of the Chortis block (Ross and Scotese, 1988;
Pindell et al., 1988; Ratschbacher et al., 1991; Herrmann et al., 1994; Schaaf et al., 1995; Moran-Zenteno
et al., 1999). The Tertiary magmatism of the Sierra
Madre del Sur is partially coeval with the major
episodes of Oligocene ignimbrite volcanism of the
northern and southeastern Sierra Madre Occidental
(McDowell and Clabaugh, 1979; Nieto-Samaniego et
al., 1999, Ferrari et al., 2002; Aranda-Gomez et al.,
2003). The region where the Tilzapotla caldera is

located is dominated by silicic volcanic rocks that

appear to be the southern extension of the flare-up of
the Sierra Madre Occidental, where several collapse
calderas have been reported (Fig. 2A) (McDowell and
Clabaugh, 1979; Swanson and McDowell, 1984).
The Tertiary volcanic rocks of the study region
were first described by Fries (1960, 1966) and De
Cserna and Fries (1981), who described the sequence
in terms of Tilzapotla Rhyolite and overlaying
Buenavista Andesite or Buenavista Group. They
interpreted one of the probable sources of the Tilzapotla Rhyolite as located south of the village of
Tilzapotla, without specifying the nature and the
precise position of the volcanic center. According to
these authors, the Tilzapotla Rhyolite includes a
series of pyroclastic flows ranging in composition
from dacite to rhyolite (although this unit was identified as a pyroclastic sequence, they used the term
rhyolite). They applied this name even to units

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D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

Fig. 3. Geologic map of the Tilzapotla caldera area. Distribution of Mesozoic units was based on the geologic map published by Consejo de
Recursos Minerales (Rivera-Carranza et al., 1998). Sections A B and C D presented in Fig. 5 are indicated as solid lines.

cropping out in distant volcanic zones (i.e. Taxco

region) and displaying some significant lithologic
differences. In this paper, we use the informal denomination of Tilzapotla ignimbrite instead of Tilzapotla
Rhyolite to avoid confusion. Since the volcanic units
overlying the Tilzapotla ignimbrite in the caldera area
are more diverse and spatially variable than Fries
originally supposed, in this paper different lithostratigraphic units are informally proposed, although Buenavista Group name can be preserved to include most
of them. In a regional reconnaissance study of the
stratigraphy and petrology of the volcanic rocks in the
Taxco-Huautla region, Moran-Zenteno et al. (1998)
identified three different major volcanic centers (i.e.
Taxco, Tilzapotla-Buenavista and Huautla) (Fig. 2B).
They recognized the Tilzapotla and Buenavista volcanic zones as a part of a laterally continuous volcanic
cover defining a semicircular structure. The Taxco
volcanic field is located about 50 km northwest of the
Tilzapotla area and is characterized by a volcanic
sequence that includes ignimbrites and rhyolitic lava

flows that were originated from ca. 38 to 32 Ma. The

Huautla volcanic field is located to the east of the
Tilzapotla caldera (Fig. 2B) and is represented by a
sequence of lava flows and pyroclastic deposits that
overlie outflow volcanic deposits similar to those in
the Tilzapotla-Buenavista region (Fries, 1966; MoranZenteno et al., 1998).
In this paper, we present stratigraphic, structural
and geochemical data of the volcanic sequence of the
Tilzapotla-Buenavista area that confirm the existence
of a large resurgent caldera as the source of the
Tilzapotla ignimbrite. These data lead to an interpretation of its volcanic evolution and its relationship
with the Tertiary tectonic structures.

2. Caldera structure and related tectonic features

The Tilzapotla caldera can be recognized in satellite images as a semi-elliptical structure with a major
axis of about 33 km and a minor axis of 24 km (Figs.

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

1, 3 and 4) that encircles a laterally continuous and

thick volcanic sequence. The elongated shape of the
caldera is defined by NW-trending lineaments forming its NE and SW boundaries. The most conspicuous
lineament is the SW boundary of the caldera that
extends from Huitzuco to Tlaxmalac (Los Amates
fault). Although less defined, the northeastern limit
is also expressed by a NW-trending lineament passing
north of Tilzapotla (Fig. 4). The southeastern boundary of the caldera displays a well-defined arcuate
segment that coincides with a subvertical contact
between beds of Cretaceous marine rocks and the
intra-caldera ignimbrite. The western boundary of the

101

caldera, around and north of Buenavista, has a more

irregular outline.
Cretaceous marine beds surrounding the caldera
margin structurally delineate an elliptical dome
(45  35 km) whose contour, in the eastern and southeastern segments, is semi-parallel to the caldera margin
and oblique to the near north-trending pre-existing
Laramide structures (Figs. 1 and 4). The interference
between the elliptical dome and the Laramide fold belt
can be recognized by nearly opposite plunging folds
south and north of the caldera (Fig. 4).
There are clear indications that the elliptical shape
of the caldera corresponds to the structural margin

Fig. 4. Structural sketch map showing the caldera margin, the resurgence block and the related tectonic lineaments. Solid lines indicate those
segments with direct evidence of the position of the structural margin. Fault data and striations from selected localities are shown in equal area
nets, lower hemisphere. Plunges that portray the structural interference between the dome structure and the Laramide folds are shown in the
inset. Solid and open circles indicate plunges measured in marine beds distributed south and north of the caldera, respectively.

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D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

rather than the topographic rim. The relatively deep

level of erosion allows a steep contact to be observed
between the thick ignimbritic sequence and the precaldera rocks, that in some segments of the eastern
and southeastern boundary corresponds with vertical
and lateral faults (Fig. 4). Additionally, the occurrence
of collapse meso- and mega-breccias, as well as lag
breccias along the conspicuous rectilinear and arcuate
segments of the margin, support this interpretation.
Due to the relatively deep level of erosion, there is no
evidence of a recognizable topographic rim. In the
rectilinear southern segment of the structural margin,
east of Huitzuco, the contact between the in-fill
ignimbrites and host limestone is a subvertical fault
with oblique and subhorizontal striations that suggest
reactivation after the collapse (Fig. 4). At the southeastern arcuate segment, near Quetzalapa, lag breccias
within the Tilzapotla ignimbrite indicate the proximity
of a volcanic vent. The occurrence in this area of
hydrothermal alteration zones and sulfide deposits,
related to porphyritic sub-volcanic rocks (RiveraCarranza et al., 1998) (La Mina Au Pb mine), is also
suggestive of the nearness of the structural margin. At

the southwestern rectilinear margin, there are sulfide

vein deposits (Huitzuco Hg District) and hydrothermal alteration zones associated with the caldera volcanic activity. At the northeastern limit of the caldera,
the proximity of the structural margin is indicated by
the occurrence of lag breccias and collapse megablocks near Tilzapotla. There are also fault segments
with left lateral to dip-slip kinematic indicators affecting ignimbrites, collapse breccias and Cretaceous
rocks (Fig. 4). The presence of sub-volcanic bodies,
north and south of Buenavista (Fig. 3), is also indicative of the structural margin in this area.
Differential erosion in the caldera area produced an
inverted relief, with higher elevations for the top of
volcanic in-fill sequences than for the surrounding
Mesozoic rocks. This is also due to the uplift related
to the resurgence (Fig. 5). Differences in elevations
of the contact between the collapse ignimbrite and
overlying volcanic units delineate a resurgent block
that occupies more than a half of the caldera area
(Figs. 3 and 5). The block is bordered by NW-trending
lineaments located north of Huitzuco and south of
Tilzapotla, and can be recognized in aerial photo-

Fig. 5. Schematic N S and E W trending sections through the Tilzapotla caldera. Vertical scale is exaggerated to enhance resurgence features.
The ring fault projection is shown vertical for convenience. Note changes in altitude of Tilzapotla and Rodarte ignimbrites produced by the
uplift of the central block.

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

graphs and satellite images. The northwestern and

southeastern edges of the block seem to coincide with
the caldera margin. The southwestern block boundary
corresponds to a NW-trending fault zone with oblique
to vertical striations and kinematic indicators of a
normal component (Fig. 4). A series of dikes and
groups of volcanic necks of dacitic composition are
intruded along the shear zone. The low position of
post-collapse ignimbrites to the south, defines a moat
between the caldera margin and the uplifted block.
The northeastern bounding fault of the uplifted block
is mostly covered by lava flows and related hypabyssal intrusions attributed to the resurgence and can be
inferred by the abrupt change in the elevation of the
base of the post-collapse sequence (Figs. 3, 4 and 5).
The NE and SW rectilinear boundaries of the
Tilzapotla caldera are nearly parallel with regional
NW-trending tectonic lineaments recognized in the
region (Fig. 2A). These lineaments mainly correspond
with left-lateral faults active in late Eocene time
lvarez et al., 2002; Moran-Zenteno et al.,
(Alaniz-A
2003). The southwestern rectilinear boundary of the
Tilzapotla caldera is collinear with the NW-trending
Los Amates fault, located west of the caldera (Fig. 4).
This feature is also near collinear with the Tetipac fault
(Fig. 2A), which is one of the most striking regional
tectonic features and extends more than 50 km northwest of the city of Taxco (Rivera-Carranza et al., 1998;
lvarez et al., 2002). The Tetipac Fault and
Alaniz-A
other near parallel structures (i.e. Chichila and Tuxpan) show evidence of a complex kinematic evolution
which includes the reactivation of pre-Eocene structures. Los Amates fault zone is characterized by
subvertical fault planes with a complex kinematic
history with preserved vertical to oblique striations
(Figs. 3 and 4). Based on structural observations and
lvarez et al. (2002) concluded that
age data, Alaniz-A
most of the regional NW-trending structures had left
lateral displacement in late Eocene time (38 to 33 Ma).
Rivera-Carranza et al. (1998) and Fitz-Daz (2001)
reported a NW-trending fault located 10 km southwest
of the caldera ring. This fault hosts a wide (20 to 40 m)
pyroclastic dike very similar in composition and mineralogy, to the Tilzapotla ignimbrite. The occurrence
of left-lateral faults affecting the dike is suggestive of
the contemporaneity between the strike-slip tectonics
and the volcanic activity of the caldera. Other NW
fault segments recognized northwest and south of the

103

caldera display left lateral to oblique kinematic indicators (Fig. 4). These faults also affect the volcanic
rocks of the caldera indicating that strike-slip faulting
continued after the caldera formation.

3. Volcanic stratigraphy
The most extensive volcanic cover related to the
Tilzapotla caldera is continuously distributed within
the caldera, over an area of 700 km2. Outcrops of the
outflow facies are discontinuously distributed to the
northeast and south of the caldera (Figs. 2B and 3).
Due to the regional dissection, the outflow facies
represent less than 30% of the total area of the volcanic
cover and only incomplete sections are preserved.
The base of the volcanic sequence is not exposed
within the structural margin of the Tilzapotla caldera. A
maximum exposed thickness of 1500 m, including the
caldera forming ignimbrite and lava flows of the resurgence, has been estimated for the central segment of the
caldera. Pyroclastic and lava flows were grouped based
on lithological similarities or when contrasting flow
units of a continuous sequence could not be separated
due to scale restrictions (Figs. 3 and 6). The outflow
volcanic sequence has a maximum preserved thickness
of 50 m in the proximal facies. Ash fall deposits are
preserved only where they lie between ignimbrites. Precollapse pyroclastic deposits were only observed in
restricted outcrops near the eastern ring segment (km
147.5, highway 95). They are represented by a 3-m-thick
layer of altered ash fall tuff that underlies the extracaldera facies of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite.
K Ar, Rb Sr and Ar Ar dates from the volcanic
units of the Tilzapotla caldera obtained in this study are
listed in Tables 1A, 1B and 1C. K Ar dates for the
whole volcanic sequence range from 35.5 to 32.6 Ma,
whereas those for the ignimbrites representative of the
climatic event range from 35 to 34 Ma. A 34.26 F 0.09
Ma Ar Ar date was calculated from individual analyses of 21 sanidine grains (Table 1B, Fig. 7) from the
middle part of the of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite. There is
a previously reported K Ar date of 31.9 F 1 Ma for a
biotite concentrate of the intra-caldera Tilzapotla ignimbrite (Alba-Aldave et al., 1996; Moran-Zenteno et
al., 1999) (sample SOL5), but replicate analyses of the
K content of this sample provided a corrected date of
35.1 F 1 Ma. This corrected date is more compatible

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D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

Fig. 6. Generalized composite stratigraphic sections of the central eastern and the western zones of the Tilzapotla caldera, as well as the extracaldera section observed south of Valle de Vazquez. Since the thickness of volcanic units is variable, those indicated are only representative.

with the well-defined group of dates obtained in this

study from the Tilzapotla ignimbrite and from the
overlying volcanic rocks.
In the Taxco region, the sequence included within
the Tilzapotla unit by De Cserna and Fries (1981)
lacks some characteristic features of the Tilzapotla
unit in the Buenavista-Tilzapotla area, namely, an
abundant crystal content and the presence of conspicuous euhedral biotite. This fact and the presence of lag
breccias, as well as lava flows and sub-volcanic rocks
in the Taxco area, are suggestive of a source close to
this area rather than a distal facies of the Tilzapotla
caldera ignimbrite. Age inferences of De Cserna and
Fries (1981) for the Tilzapotla Rhyolite were based
on dates carried out in the Taxco area (35.5 F1.2 and
36.9 F 1.3 Ma for sanidine and whole rock fractions
of the same sample, respectively), but not in the
Tilzapotla area. Additionally to the ignimbrites dated
lvarez et al.
by De Cserna and Fries (1981), Alaniz-A
(2002) reported K Ar ages for ignimbrites and rhyolite lavas of the Taxco area, showing that the most
voluminous silicic volcanism in this area occurred
between 32 and 31 Ma.
3.1. Pre-caldera rocks
Volcanic rocks of the Tilzapotla caldera unconformably overlie deformed Cretaceous marine

sequences that crop out widely in the region. The

most extensive outcrops correspond to the platform
limestone beds of the Albian-Cenomanian Morelos
Formation and Aptian-Albian evaporitic beds of the
Huitzuco Formation (Fries, 1960, 1966; De Cserna
et al., 1980; Hernandez-Romano et al., 1997; Hernandez-Romano, 1999). There are also extensive
outcrops of the terrigenous beds of the TuronianMaestrichtian Mexcala Formation. The most important tectonic structures affecting these units are
NNW- to NNE-oriented folds and NW and N S
regional lateral and normal-oblique faults (Fig. 2A).
Cretaceous rocks are unconformably overlain by
Paleocene Eocene fluvial deposits of the Balsas Formation cropping out northwest and southwest of the
caldera (Fig. 3).
3.2. Volcanic rocks associated with the caldera
collapse
3.2.1. Tilzapotla ignimbrite
3.2.1.1. Intra-caldera facies. The intra-caldera facies of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite is represented by a
massive sequence of dacitic, moderately to densely
welded tuffs. It includes several pyroclastic flow
units with similar petrographic characteristics and
poorly defined contacts among them. In the south-

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

105

Table 1A
K Ar and Ar Ar and Rb Sr dates
Location

Mineral

Rock

40

99j11V57U
18j19V33U
99j10V58U
18j21V15U
99j14V54U
18j03V24U
99j24V30U
10j33V51U
99j10V39W

biotite

ignimbrite

4.389  10

10

7.14

35.1 F 1.0

biotite

ignimbrite

3.851  10

10

6.45

34.1 F 1.1

biotite

ignimbrite

4.022  10

10

6.62

34.7 F 1.0

biotite

ignimbrite

3.843  10

10

6.40

34.3 F 1.5

sanidine

ignimbrite

Single crystal
Ar Ar datea

99j13V34U
18j26V32U

plg

ignimbrite

0.154  10

10

0.27

32.6 F 2.5

sanidine

rhyolite

2.742  10

10

4.41

35.5 F 1.0

plg

andesite

0.307  10

10

0.51

34.4 F 1.4

plg

andesite

0.298  10

10

0.52

32.8 F 1.6

Tz 63-02

99j72V42U
18j43V45U
99j17V06U
18j26V37U
99j17V61U
18j26V41U
99j17V10W

plg

andesite

Ar Ar plateau
ageb

32.75 F 0.1

Tz 62-02

18j27V05W
99j17V09W

plg

andesite

Ar Ar isochron
ageb

33.43 F 0.1

Sample
Tilzpotla ignimbrite
Sol 5
Sol 9
Tz25-98
Tz145-01
SOL 2

Ar* (mol/g)

K (%)

Age (Ma)

34.26 F 0.1

18j22V33W
Rodarte ignimbrite
Tz187-01

Hypabyssal and
El Salto lava flows
Tz4-99
Tz17-99
Tz18-99

18j17V09W
Sample

Location

Mineral

Rb (ppm)

Sr (ppm)

87

Sr/86Sr

Age (Ma)

Coxcatlan granodiorite
Bv 21
Bv 21

99j27V29W
18j29V47W

biotite
WR

693
103

10
193

0.793522
0.705937

32.18 F 1

K Ar and Ar Ar dates obtained in this study for different volcanic units. K Ar dates were carried out in the Laboratorio Universitario de
Geoqumica Isotopica (LUGIS) at the National University of Mexico (UNAM). Ar Ar analytical data of sample Sol 2.
a
Data in Table 1B.
b
Data in Table 1C.

eastern part of the caldera, an exposed thickness of

600 m has been estimated for this unit. Despite the
relatively deep incision of the drainage, the base of
the unit is not exposed within the ring fault.
Typically, the Tilzapotla ignimbrite is represented
by a vitric-crystal tuff with a crypto- to microcrystalline groundmass of quartz and plagioclase that
includes ghosts of spherulites and small crystals of
Fe Ti oxides and zircon. Although most of the

groundmass seems to have been originally vitroclastic, there are no preserved fractions of unaltered
glass. The phenocryst fraction includes quartz, broken plagioclase, minor sanidine, and conspicuous
euhedral biotite. The lithic fraction is dominated
by fragments of crypto-crystalline texture and, in a
minor proportion, by porphyritic lava and sub-volcanic fragments. Phenocrysts range from 15 to 50
(vol.) %, being quartz and plagioclase the most

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D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

Table 1B
49
Ar 39Ar laser total fusion single-crystal age data for 21 sanidine grains of sample Sol 2, J = 0.004784 F 0.25%
Tilzapotla ignimbrite
Unit

39

Radiogenic yield (%)

40

Tilzapotla,
99j10.6548V,
18j22.5526V

1.90e 14
3.09e 14
2.16e 14
2.59e 14
3.96e 14
4.22e 14
3.67e 14
4.15e 14
4.34e 14
2.23e 14
3.17e 14
3.36e 14
3.80e 14
1.86e 14
2.29e 14
3.84e 15
1.53e 14
1.73e 14
9.96e + 15
2.25e 14
3.08e 14

97.3
87.2
97.7
97.1
91.7
97.1
98.3
97.1
97.6
98.5
98.3
97.9
89.1
95.4
96.4
74.3
95.2
96.8
83.4
79.6
99.6

3.975
3.979
3.984
3.984
3.991
3.994
3.996
3.997
3.998
4.001
4.002
4.002
4.005
4.008
4.010
4.016
4.017
4.017
4.028
4.030
4.075

Ark (mol)

Ar*/39Ark

K/Ca

K/Cl

Age (Ma F 1r)

60.46
75.70
60.75
66.62
73.96
66.31
65.49
67.93
66.09
70.22
73.10
75.64
68.97
69.16
65.23
3.80
70.22
41.05
60.86
60.46
75.36

88.89
53.22
96.53
91.16
109.29
111.23
120.19
91.41
120.48
92.94
125.31
104.6
76.98
117.79
51.73
47.30
48.85
120.05
90.09
99.01
134.59

34.06 F 0.07
34.10 F 0.08
34.14 F 0.06
34.14 F 0.06
34.20 F 0.06
34.23 F 0.05
34.24 F 0.05
34.25 F 0.05
34.26 F 0.05
34.29 F 0.06
34.29 F 0.05
34.30 F 0.06
34.32 F 0.07
34.35 F 0.07
34.36 F 0.07
34.42 F 0.26
34.42 F 0.08
34.42 F 0.06
34.51 F 0.13
34.53 F 0.11
34.91 F 0.05
Weighted mean
age = 34.26 F 0.09 Ma

Analyses in italics are not used to calculate the weighted mean age.
Ar Ar analytical data of samples Tz 63-02 and Tz 62-02. Ar Ar dates were carried out at the Thermochronology Laboratory of the USGS
Denver (see Appendices A and B for analytical procedures).

abundant components. The size of phenocrysts of the

intra-caldera facies reaches up to 4 mm, while the
size of lithic fragments is highly variable, depending on the position with respect to the caldera
structural margin. Lag breccias, including vitrophyric fragments altered to zeolites, were observed in
Tilzapotla and Quetzalapa areas. Two characteristic
lithic components are anhydrite and limestone fragments, derived from the surrounding Cretaceous
sequence.
The Tilzapotla ignimbrite conformably underlies
the pyroclastic rocks of the Rodarte ignimbrite. K Ar
and Ar Ar dating of samples collected in three
different localities yielded ages ranging from 34.3 to
35.3 Ma (Tables 1A, 1B and 1C, Fig. 7). K Ar dates
in biotite concentrates (35.1 F 1 and 34.1 F 1.4 Ma)
are undistinguishable, within the error, from Ar Ar
dates obtained from individual sanidine crystals
(34.3 F 0.09 Ma). Two additional K Ar determina-

tions of the extra-caldera facies yielded 34.3 F 1.5 and

34.7 F 0.9 Ma.
3.2.1.2. Extra-caldera facies. Due to the prolonged
erosion in the region since the caldera formation, the
extra-caldera facies of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite is
exposed in relatively isolated outcrops showing
incomplete sections. Distal outcrops are distributed
east and south of the caldera, reaching distances up
to 36 km from the caldera margin (Fig. 2B).
Proximal sections of the extra-caldera facies are
exposed near Amacuzac, north of Buenavista, and
east and south of the caldera margin. South of
Amacuzac, ignimbrites are exposed continuously
from the margin to a distance of 8 km to the
northwest (Fig. 3). In this area, the extra-caldera
facies unconformably overlies pre-caldera conglomerates of the Balsas Formation and has a maximum
thickness of 50 m, that gradually decreases to the

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

107

Table 1C
Ar Ar samples Tz 63-02 and Tz 62-02
Unit/location

T (jC)

% 39Ar
of total

Radiogenic
yield (%)

39

Ark
(mol  10

Ar*/39Ark

Apparent
K/Ca

Apparent
K/Cl

3.959
3.861
3.826
3.856
3.865
3.860

0.07
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06

1949
33.62 F 0.22
3069
32.80 F 0.08
2356
32.50 F 0.17
623
32.75 F 0.24
453
32.82 F 0.14
1786
32.78
Plateau age = 32.75 F 0.11
Isochron age = 32.52 F 0.36

3.970
4.036
3.954
3.972
4.053
4.074
4.004

2.38
1.47
0.67
0.45
0.42
0.46
1.08

1438
33.74 F 0.05
0
34.29 F 0.03
0
33.60 F 0.06
6792
33.75 F 0.04
2999
34.44 F 0.06
1296
34.62 F 0.06
1422
34.03
No plateau Isochron
age = 33.43 F 0.13

TZ 63-02, plagioclase, J = 0.004751 F 0.25%, wt. = 239.3 mg

El Salto,
900
9.6
80.1
0.051305
18j27.090V, 1000
22.8
88.0
0.121521
99j17.166V 1100
28.8
91.4
0.153535
1200
24.9
81.5
0.132325
1300
13.8
75.4
0.073559
Total gas
100.0
84.9
0.532245
90.36% of gas on plateau in 1000 through 1300 steps

TZ 62-02, andesite matrix, J = 0.004755 F 0.25%, wt. = 241.1

El Salto,
750
9.5
91.5
18j27.137V, 850
38.5
98.2
99j17.144V 900
24.0
98.2
950
14.6
96.8
1000
7.0
93.9
1100
6.4
89.3
Total gas
100.0
96.5

40
12

mg
0.344868
1.397529
0.869966
0.530456
0.253340
0.232592
3.628751

Apparent age
(Ma F 1r)

Ages calculated assuming an initial 40Ar 36Ar = 295.5 F 0.

Ages of individual steps do not include error in the irradiation parameter J.
No error is calculated for the total gas age.

north. In the caldera margin, there is an abrupt

increase in the ignimbrite thickness to f 600 m. A
biotite concentrate from this area yielded a K Ar date
of 34.3 F 1.5 Ma. North of Buenavista, the extracaldera facies of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite contains
abundant fragments of limestone ( f 30%) and minor
volcanic and sub-volcanic fragments in a matrix-supported structure.
The best preserved sections of relatively distal
facies underlie lava flows of the Huautla volcanic
center, east of the Tilzapotla caldera (Fig. 6). South of
Valle de Vazquez, 12 km from the caldera margin, the
section is constituted by three slightly welded ignimbrite units. An ash fall layer separates the two upper
flow units. The three layers are crystal-rich and
contain phenocrysts of euhedral biotite. A 34.2 Ma
Ar Ar date in biotite was preliminary reported by
Campa-Uranga et al. (2002) for an ignimbrite sample
collected in this area. The most distal outcrop of the
Tilzapotla ignimbrite was found 36 km south of the
caldera margin at km 200 of highway 95, leading to
Acapulco (Fig 2B). A 34.7 F 1 Ma K Ar age obtained
from a biotite concentrate of this ignimbrite (Table 1A)

supports its relationship with the caldera collapse

event.
3.2.1.3. Collapse breccia. Collapse breccia deposits
were identified mainly in the eastern and southeastern
boundaries of the caldera (Fig. 3). They are represented by discontinuous exposures of breccia accumulations interlayered with the Tilzapotla ignimbrite, as
well as relatively isolated mega-blocks. Exposed sections of meso-breccia interlayered with pyroclastic
beds, located at the eastern ring fault zone, have a
minimum thickness of 100 m. The thickest sections
crop out along the deep cuts of highway 95, near the
locality of Coaxintlan. At the southeastern segment of
the caldera ring, near the village of Quetzalapa, there
are accumulations of recrystallized limestone and
anhydrite breccia, as well as blocks of marble, several
meters in length, embedded in the intra-caldera ignimbrite (Fig. 8). At the northern segment of the ring fault
zone, there are also large blocks of limestone and
anhydrite, embedded in Tilzapotla ignimbrite. A gypsum quarry in Tilzapotla corresponds to one of the
largest collapse blocks contained in the ignimbrite.

108

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

Fig. 7. Graphic representations of Ar Ar data obtained from samples: (a) Sol 2 of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite; (b) Tz 62-02 and (c) Tz 63-02 of the
El Salto lava flows. The Sol 2 age was obtained from the total fusion of 21 single crystals of sanidine. See data in Tables 1B and 1C and
analytical procedures in Appendix A.

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

109

Fig. 8. Blocks of limestone embedded in the Tilzapotla ignimbrite of the mega-breccia interval from localities at the southeastern segment of the
ring fault.

3.3. Post-collapse volcanic rocks

Post-collapse rocks overlying the Tilzapotla ignimbrite are exposed mainly at high elevations in the
eastern and south-central parts of the caldera, although there are some preserved outcrops at lower
elevations in the southern moat zone (Figs. 3 and 5).
They include recognizable ignimbrite flow units and
debris flow deposits with irregular contacts among
them, probably due to fluvial erosion. Based on
recognizable lithological characteristics the sequence
was divided in three informal units: Rodarte ignimbrite, Rodeo formation and Las Mesas formation.
The Rodarte ignimbrite is represented by a vitroclastic ignimbrite sequence that includes several flow
units, ranging from nonindurated to moderately
welded, and contains pumice fragments and biotite
phenocrysts. La Mesas formation is constituted by a
sequence of conglomerate layers and debris flow
deposits. The Gallego formation overlies the Rodarte
ignimbrite and is formed by a thick sequence of
densely welded rheomorphic ignimbrites, vitrophyre
flow units and dacitic lava flows and contains
phenocrysts of plagioclase, sanidine, biotite and
quartz. The presence of some tilted segments of this
sequence dipping toward the caldera margin, at the
eastern boundary of the uplifted block, is indicative
of their emplacement previous to the resurgence. No
suitable material was found for dating this unit, but
its age is constrained by the overlaying El Salto

formation (34 32 Ma) and the underlying Tilzapotla

ignimbrite (35 34 Ma).
3.4. Resurgence-related volcanic rocks
Lava flows and hypabyssal rocks overlying and
intruding the Tilzapotla ignimbrite and the post-collapse units are distributed in different areas of the
caldera margin and in the uplifted central block. Lava
flows (El Salto formation) range in composition from
hornblende bearing dacites to ortho- and clinopyroxene
bearing andesites and comprises subordinated intercalations of debris flow deposits. K Ar and Ar Ar ages
of this sequence range from 34.4 to 32.8 Ma (Tables 1A
and 1C). Hypabyssal rocks form dikes and volcanic
necks emplaced mainly near the caldera margin and
along the faults limiting the uplifted block. Although
hypabyssal rocks have a wide range in composition,
from andesites to rhyolites, their spatial relationships
with El Salto formation are, in most cases, suggestive
of being their feeding dikes. There are also coarsegrained intrusions of biotite bearing granodiorite located near the western margin of the caldera (Coxcatlan
and Buenavista localities), although the Ar Ar age
reported for the Buenavista intrusion (35.9 F 0.5Ma;
Meza-Figueroa et al., 2003) does not support a connection with the resurgence stage.
On the eastern margin of the intra-caldera area,
exposures of conglomerates and volcanic debris flow
deposits include some thin layers of altered greenish

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

110

Table 2
Major element chemical analyses
Sample

SiO2

TiO2

Al2O3

Fe2O3

MnO

MgO

CaO

Na2O

K2O

P2O5

LOI

Total

1.17
0.65
0.97
0.73
0.63
0.68
0.95
0.86
0.69
0.65
0.78
0.60
0.76
0.72
0.60
0.60

17.87
17.00
15.7
16.79
17.24
18.08
18.11
16.95
16.83
17.51
17.73
16.32
17.35
18.11
16.46
16.33

7.57
5.30
5.62
5.56
5.98
6.34
6.75
5.78
5.40
5.72
6.69
6.24
6.36
6.83
4.88
4.75

0.11
0.08
0.192
0.10
0.10
0.06
0.05
0.05
0.07
0.09
0.08
0.12
0.13
0.10
0.14
0.05

3.63
2.53
2.17
2.44
2.72
1.29
1.41
2.06
2.25
2.60
1.30
2.41
2.29
3.29
1.01
1.20

6.85
5.22
4.99
5.21
5.61
4.21
5.29
5.01
4.94
5.77
5.00
5.17
5.79
5.25
4.05
3.97

3.43
3.66
3.2
3.81
3.85
3.49
3.53
3.20
4.16
4.27
3.96
3.61
4.28
4.28
4.03
3.39

1.38
1.94
2.11
1.79
2.01
2.45
1.65
2.21
2.04
1.51
2.07
1.95
2.05
1.66
2.77
2.85

0.29
0.16
0.159
0.18
0.16
0.15
0.25
0.32
0.19
0.20
0.26
0.16
0.25
0.20
0.17
0.16

1.06
1.49
1.82
1.54
1.97
2.53
1.67
2.10
0.90
1.27
1.74
2.77
1.62
1.83
1.17
2.61

100.74
100.13
99.94
100.03
100.17
99.67
100.70
99.86
100.20
100.25
100.34
100.44
100.40
99.53
100.24
100.17

rocks
0.38
0.82
0.29
0.71
0.73
0.44
0.46
0.41
0.64
0.51
0.36
0.54

14.47
17.38
14.56
16.89
17.97
17.35
14.43
16.81
15.53
14.33
15.57
14.29

3.41
6.23
2.57
6.20
6.77
5.30
4.49
4.95
4.76
4.96
3.92
4.41

0.087
0.11
0.07
0.10
0.18
0.10
0.05
0.06
0.09
0.06
0.02
0.05

0.636
2.60
1.11
2.24
2.55
1.88
1.55
0.69
1.39
0.92
0.35
1.75

2.42
5.50
2.42
5.35
6.48
3.40
3.05
2.78
3.44
3.39
2.46
3.14

2.63
3.61
3.52
4.09
3.71
3.53
2.59
3.35
3.54
2.10
4.00
3.45

4.71
1.65
3.59
2.05
2.11
3.28
1.55
2.84
3.38
4.01
3.19
3.53

0.09
0.22
0.11
0.22
0.19
0.15
0.17
0.13
0.11
0.10
0.08
0.11

2.44
1.49
1.10
1.59
3.86
4.57
6.36
3.16
1.17
2.20
1.23
1.50

100.68
99.93
100.07
100.23
99.71
101.35
100.37
100.02
100.36
100.80
100.35
100.13

Tilzapotla ignimbrite
SOL2
64.09
SOL5
68.32
Hz1
65.56
Hz2
67.74
Hz3
64.79
Tz25-98
68.50
Tz49-99
63.32
Tz105-00
67.48
Tz112-00
64.01
Tz112V-00
65.37
Tz145-01
69.11

0.49
0.48
0.55
0.55
0.52
0.37
0.46
0.53
0.42
0.46
0.40

14.06
14.34
14.97
14.84
14.53
15.03
13.67
14.97
13.29
14.69
14.66

3.47
3.59
4.61
4.28
4.71
3.28
3.98
4.54
3.92
3.63
3.56

0.04
0.02
0.06
0.11
0.07
0.036
0.04
0.08
0.07
0.09
0.04

1.04
1.40
1.71
1.55
1.70
0.58
0.60
1.49
1.06
0.40
1.19

5.84
3.67
2.35
3.03
3.01
2.7
5.12
3.78
5.43
4.36
2.13

3.54
1.99
2.49
3.37
2.29
3.02
0.52
3.23
0.22
0.33
2.84

2.74
4.14
5.04
3.55
4.82
5.251
5.41
3.74
3.76
4.12
4.05

0.07
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.06
0.085
0.09
0.17
0.09
0.11
0.08

5.39
4.68
3.85
1.89
4.63
1.00
7.15
0.77
8.30
7.20
2.20

100.75
102.68
101.25
100.96
101.12
99.86
100.30
100.77
100.57
100.75
100.25

Rodarte ignimbrite
Tz53-99
70.84
Tz185-01
70.07
Tz187-01
69.83
Tz188-01
68.65

0.39
0.56
0.40
0.58

12.49
15.51
14.73
15.67

2.28
3.05
3.78
3.39

0.075
0.05
0.05
0.06

0.976
0.43
0.56
0.05

2.97
1.75
2.52
2.26

2.84
4.33
2.66
4.31

3.99
4.10
4.55
3.87

0.078
0.05
0.05
0.12

3.11
0.60
1.10
0.70

100.04
100.50
100.22
99.66

El Salto lava flows

Bv20
57.38
Tz17-98
62.14
Tz18-98
63.00
Tz19-98
61.87
Tz20-98
59.91
Tz21-98
60.39
Tz101-00
61.09
Tz171-01
61.33
Tz193-01
62.73
Tz57-02
60.66
Tz77-02
60.73
Tz80-02
61.09
Tz62-02
59.52
Tz17a-02
57.26
Tz190b-01
64.96
Tz190c-01
64.26
Hypabyssal and plutonic
Tz4-99
69.39
Tz135-01
60.33
Tz136-01
70.74
Tz75-02
60.79
Tz28-03
55.16
Bv12
61.35
Bv14
65.69
Bv17
64.84
Bv21
66.32
Tz48-99
68.24
Tz126-01
69.17
Tz46b-02
67.36

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

111

Table 2 (continued)
Sample

SiO2

Gallego formation
Bv1
69.05
Tz53-99
70.84
Tz182-01
66.42
Tz17b-02
72.88
Tz17c-02
74.37
Tz27-03
66.73

TiO2

Al2O3

Fe2O3

MnO

MgO

CaO

Na2O

K2 O

P2O5

LOI

Total

0.29
0.391
0.64
0.15
0.16
0.66

14.7
12.49
16.35
12.72
12.99
15.28

2.35
2.28
5.14
1.52
1.36
4.85

0.06
0.08
0.04
0.05
0.04
0.05

0.78
0.98
0.43
0.40
0.51
1.09

2.44
2.97
3.09
1.36
0.94
2.90

3.49
2.84
3.46
3.24
2.38
3.35

3.48
3.99
3.31
3.91
4.75
3.22

0.11
0.08
0.16
0.06
0.03
0.16

3.71
3.11
1.20
3.84
1.74
2.10

100.46
100.04
100.24
100.13
99.27
100.34

Whole rock chemical composition of representative samples of the volcanic sequence in the study area. Analyses were carried out by XRF at the
Laboratorio Universitario de Geoqumica Isotopica (LUGIS) at UNAM.

ash fall tuff. The most extensive outcrops are distributed near Coaxintlan (Fig. 3).

4. Major element and isotope geochemistry

Representative whole-rock chemical composition of
the volcanic rocks of the Tilzapotla caldera is presented
in Table 2. SiO2 content ranges from 57 to 76 (wt.) %,
with a dominance of rocks containing more than 60%
SiO2. Because of the lack of unaltered pumice or glass
fragments in the Tilzapotla ignimbrite, its composition
was estimated from whole rock analyses of samples
composed mainly of juvenile material. Hydrothermal
alteration zones, as well as accessory and accidental
fragments, were avoided to obtain the best approximation of the magma composition. Nonetheless, in the
TAS diagram the data of Tilzapotla ignimbrite display

some scattering within the dacite field, probably due to

some degree of alkali mobilization (Fig. 9). Most
differentiated rocks are related to the Tilzapotla ignimbrite and post-collapse pre-resurgence sequences. Intermediate rocks are mainly related to lava flows of the
resurgence. Sub-volcanic rocks display a more variable
composition ranging from andesite to rhyolite. Normalized alkalis and silica data presented in the TAS
diagram (Fig. 9) show the compositional variation of
the entire sequence indicating a subalkaline affinity.
Biotite is a characteristic accessory mineral in rhyolitic
to dacitic rocks, whereas hornblende is common in
dacitic and andesitic lava flows of the resurgence.
Ortho- and clinopyroxene are common in andesites
with the lowest silica content.
87
Sr/86Sri in the sequence ranges from 0.7034 to
0.7066 (Table 3), with the youngest lava flows having
the lowest ratios (0.7034 0.7037), and the collapse

Fig. 9. TAS diagram showing the composition of representative samples of different volcanic units of the Tilzapotla caldera. See data in Table 2.

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

112

Table 3
Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic data of selected samples of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite, lava flows of the resurgence and hypabyssal rocks of the study area
Sample

Rb

Sr

Rb/Sr

87
87

Rb/
Sr

87

Sr/
Sr

2rmean

86

87

Sr/
Sri

86

Sm

Nd

147

143

144

144

144

Sm/
Nd

Nd/
Nd

2rmean

143

Nd/
Ndi

Lava flows of the resurgence

Tz 17-98
53
531
Tz 18-98
67
457
Tz 20-98
37
616

0.1
0.15
0.06

0.289 0.703773 F 13
0.424 0.703890 F 10
0.174 0.703534 F 10

0.703634
0.703685
0.703450

5.97 26.58 0.133

5.67 28.14 0.122
3.59 17.04 0.130

0.512858 F 5
0.512820 F 6
0.512900 F 6

0.512828
0.512793
0.512871

Ignimbrites
Sol 2
Tz 25-98
Tz 53-99

7.66 32.63 0.142

5.99 27.85 0.130
8.49 43.19 0.118

0.512571 F 4
0.512586 F 5
0.512588 F 5

0.512539
0.512557
0.512562

0.512778
0.512769
0.512631
0.512598
0.512580

0.512748
0.512740
0.512601
0.512570
0.512556

113
197
131

255
227
133

0.44
0.87
0.98

1.161 0.707132 F 15
2.511 0.706688 F 9
2.85 0.707227 F 15

0.706586
0.705476
0.705851

Hypabyssal rocks
Bv12
98
Bv17
89
Tz 4-98
223
Tz 48-99
194
Tz 136-01
143

374
471
141
213
208

0.26
0.19
1.58
0.91
0.69

0.758
0.547
4.576
2.635
1.989

0.703731 2.40 10.46 0.133

0.703780 10.96 51.59 0.128
0.70535
8.73 39.01 0.135
0.705208 6.41 30.43 0.127
0.704558 4.13 18.74 0.106

Sample

206

Pb/204Pb

207

Pb/204Pb

0.704097
0.704044
0.707560
0.706480
0.705518

F 17
F 15
F 11
F9
F 11

F5
F 12
F5
F4
F5

208

Pb/204Pb

Lava flows of the resurgence

Tz-17 plag
18.699
15.605
Tz-17 WR
18.733
15.604
Tz-18 plag
18.657
15.593
Tz-18 WR
18.798
15.644
Tz-20 plag
18.668
15.590
Tz-20 WR
18.675
15.590

38.516
38.515
38.445
38.626
38.451
38.440

Hypabyssal and Rodarte ignimbrite

Bv-17 plag
18.745
15.615
Bv-17 WR
18.789
15.599
Tz-53 WR
18.970
15.650
Tz-4 sanidine 18.779
15.644
Tz-4 WR
18.933
15.653

38.602
38.557
38.811
38.696
38.822

The Sr, Nd and Sm isotope ratios were determined using a Finnigan MAT262 mass spectrometer equipped with eight faraday collectors, installed
at the Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (LUGIS) of the National University of Mexico. The isotopic measurements were made in a static
collection mode. Analysis of Rb were carried out using a single collector NBS mass spectrometer. Rb, Sr, Sm and Nd, were loaded as chlorides
and measured as metallic ions. Values of 2r(m) (2r(m) = 2rabsMn) were calculated from 60 individual isotopic determinations for Rb, Sr and Nd
and 20 for Sm. The measured 87Sr/86Sr values were normalized to an 86Sr/88Sr value of 0.1194, and those of 143Nd/144Nd to an 146Nd/144Nd ratio
of 0.7219. The 87Sr/86Sr of the NIST-SRM987 and 143Nd/144Nd of the La Jolla-standard throughout this study were 0.710235 F 18 ( F 1rabs,
n = 237) and 0.511878 F 21 ( F 1rabs, n = 134). Pb samples were loaded with a mixture of silica gel and phosphoric acid and runs consisted of
100 individual measurements. Laboratory mean values of standard NIST-NBS981 (Pb) (206Pb/204Pb = 16.89 0.04%, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.43 0.05%,
208
Pb/204Pb = 36.51 0.07%, n = 23) (0.13% fractionation per mass unit). Pb isotope ratios presented in table are present-day values.
Relative uncertainties for 87Rb/86Sr was F 2% and for 147Sm/144Nd F 1.5% (1r). Relative reproducibility (1r) for Rb, Sr, Sm and Nd
abundances was F 4.5%, F 1.8%, F 3.2%, and F 2.7%, respectively. Total procedure blanks were 0.15 0.59 ng for Rb, 0.57 31 ng for Sr,
0.27 19 ng for Sm, 1.05 22 ng for Nd. Chemical blank for Pb was 94 pg.

and post-collapse ignimbrites the highest ratios

(0.7055 0.7066). Hypabyssal rocks display more variable 87Sr/86Sri values (0.7037 0.7053). Although
Tilzapotla ignimbrite samples were carefully selected
for isotopic analyses, avoiding accessory lithic frag-

ments of limestone and secondary calcite precipitates,

the possible influence of carbonate impurities in the Sr
isotopic signatures cannot be completely discarded.
Given the 87Sr/86Sr obtained (0.70732 0.70735) and
the Sr abundance range (200 500 ppm) for Creta-

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

113

Fig. 10. 87Sr/86Sri 143Nd/144Ndi diagram showing initial isotopic ratios of representative samples of volcanic rocks of the Tilzapotla caldera.
Initial ratios were calculated for t = 34 Ma. Analyses were carried out in the Laboratorio Universitario de Geoqumica Isotopica (LUGIS), UNAM.

ceous limestone, the differences observed between the

Tilzapotla ignimbrite and the resurgence lava flows are
greater than expected from the sole influence of the
small amount of carbonate impurities acquired during
the eruption and later remobilizations. Differences
were also observed between Nd isotopic signatures
of the collapse and post-collapse ignimbrites (143Nd/
144
Ndi = 0.51256 0.51263) with respect to those of
the lava flows of the resurgence (143Nd/144Ndi =
0.51279 0.51287; Table 3, Fig. 10). Analyzed hypabyssal rocks display two groups of 87Sr/86Sri and
143
Nd/144Ndi values indicating isotopic affinity with
both ignimbrites and lava flows of the resurgence.
Although common Pb isotopic signature in feldspars is
less sensitive to the influence of limestone impurities
during the eruption and later fluid remobilization, Pb
isotopic ratios carried out in plagioclase concentrates
of hypabyssal rocks (206Pb/204Pb = 18.779 18.745)
and lava flows (206Pb/204Pb = 18.657 18.699) display
recognizable differences (Table 3). This variability
suggests the input into the magma chamber of more
primitive magmas related to the resurgence stage.

5. Discussion
5.1. Regional stratigraphic and tectonic implications
The geochronology and distinctive features in the
petrography of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite allow to
differentiate it from other silicic ignimbrites in the
region. Although there is an overlap in the ages of the

volcanic sequences of the Tilzapotla and the Taxco

regions, they display significant mineralogic differences. These differences, as well as the occurrence of
lava flows and sub-volcanic rocks and some diachronism in the peaks of volcanism in both areas (35 34
Ma in Tilzapotla and 31 32 Ma in the Taxco),
confirm the existence of two different volcanic centers. Stratigraphic relationships of the extra-caldera
Tilzapotla ignimbrite, with overlying extensive andesitic lava flows and pyroclastic deposits, on the eastern
flank of the Huautla range (Valle de Vazquez-Chinameca sector) indicate a younger volcanic center located to the east, as was previously recognized by
Fries (1960), although, at present, there are no available geochronologic data to constrain the age range of
the volcanic sequences of the Huautla volcanic center.
Ages obtained from the Tilzapotla ignimbrite together with geochronologic data from the Taxco
volcanic field indicate that silicic volcanism in the
northern Sierra Madre del Sur is partially coeval with
the ignimbrite volcanism in the northern Sierra Madre
Occidental (SMO), where main episodes occurred
between 38 and 28 Ma (McDowell and Clabaugh,
1979; Aranda-Gomez et al., 2003). In the southern
Sierra Madre Occidental and the Mesa Central
regions, north of the Mexican Volcanic Belt, the
Tertiary silicic volcanism is slightly younger, ranging
in age from 30 to 21 Ma (Nieto-Samaniego et al.,
1999; Ferrari et al., 2002).
The Tilzapotla caldera represents a remarkable volcanic feature, not only for its size but also for its
tectonic framework. The rectilinear northeastern and

114

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

southwestern boundaries are coincident with Tertiary

strike-slip faults active in late Eocene time. It has been
recognized that the shape and structure of the collapses
and resurgences are often controlled by pre-existing
normal faults (i.e. Lipman, 1984; Acocella et al., 2004),
but there are few reports of collapses accommodated by
vertical displacement along segments of coeval strikeslip faults (i.e. Acocella et al., 2002). According to
lvarez et al. (2002), extension in overstep
Alaniz-A
zones in this region favored the emplacement of
voluminous silicic magma. In the Taxco area, the initial
stages of magmatism occurred synchronous with left
lateral displacement of regional NW-trending faults
that induced NNW extension and subsidence (Alaniz lvarez et al., 2002). Left-lateral displacement in faults
A
of the northeastern and southwestern segments of the
Tilzapotla caldera structural margin (Fig. 4) could have
produced extension that favored magma ascent to the
upper crust in the caldera area. Extension could have
occurred in two possible scenarios. In the first case,
extension is restricted to the termination of the two
faults. In the second case, extension is produced in the
releasing overstep by interaction of the two faults. Due
to the younger volcanic cover in the Huautla area, it is
not possible to determine the length of the northeastern
lineament toward the east to support the second scenario. There is no preserved evidence of subsidence
associated with extension in the Tilzapotla caldera area,
previous to the tumescence stage. The volume of
ascending magma could have accommodated the extension inhibiting subsidence, as has been documented
in some extension zones (Parsons et al., 1998). Collapse calderas in extension zones, associated with
strike-slip systems, have also been documented in the
central Andes (Riller et al., 2001).
Eocene strike-slip tectonics, in this region and in a
great part of southern Mexico (Moran-Zenteno et al.,
1999), contrasts with the regional Oligocene Miocene
coaxial extension associated with ignimbrites and large
collapse calderas in the Sierra Madre Occidental and
with other major calderas in the world (Lipman, 1984,
1997; Aguirre-Daz and McDowell, 1993; AguirreDaz and Labarthe-Hernandez, 2003). In the Sierra
Alquitran region, 150 km farther south, there is also a
volcanic collapse structure that seems to have evolved
in a similar tectonic scenario (Moran-Zenteno et al.,
2003). Other silicic volcanic centers such as Taxco and
Huautla evolved in step-overs of left lateral faults

segments, but no collapse calderas have been identified

lvarez et al., 2002).
yet (Alaniz-A
5.2. Volcanic evolution
5.2.1. Initial tumescence stage
The distribution of the Cretaceous Morelos/Huitzuco beds, bordering the caldera in a higher position
with respect to the surrounding areas, is the main
indication of a tumescence stage related to the caldera
evolution. Due to the pre-existing folding, at the east
and southeast of the caldera, the structural attitude of
Cretaceous beds does not clearly portray the flanks of
an antiform. Nevertheless, fold plunges define a structural interference produced by the doming process
(Fig. 4). The northwest side of the elliptical dome
extends about 10 km from the caldera margin, indicating an incomplete collapse with respect to the
doming produced by ascending magma (Fig. 1). This
also is suggested by the presence, in this area, of the
Coxcatlan intrusion (Fig. 3), which probably was an
apophysis of the magma chamber. Evidence of the first
stages of volcanism of the Tilzapotla caldera previous
to the collapse is fragmentary. In several areas, the
direct contact of the outflow facies of the collapse
ignimbrite over the pre-volcanic marine and fluvial
sequence is suggestive of the removal of initial ash fall
deposits by active erosion. At only few localities, east
of the caldera, a thin ( < 3 m) altered layer of ash fall
pyroclastic material was preserved below the first
ignimbrite accumulations. The small 35 Ma granodiorite intrusion close to Buenavista could also be a
manifestation of pre-collapse magmatism. Northeast
and south of the caldera the Tilzapotla ignimbrite
unconformably overlies Cretaceous limestone and anhydrite, as well as tilted beds of the Balsas Formation.
5.2.2. Collapse stage
The collapse stage and the first episodes of voluminous ash flows can be documented in the massive
intra-caldera sequence of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite and
by the presence of large blocks of marine limestone
and anhydrite, embedded in the ignimbrite near the
margin. Outflow facies of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite
extended a minimum distance of 36 km from the
caldera margin, but the general distribution area of
the ignimbrite and ash fall deposits cannot be determined given the erosion of most of the extra-caldera

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

cover. Based on similar crystal abundance and composition, at least three main flow units and one ash fall
deposit, associated with the collapse ignimbrite, were
recognized in the extra-caldera sequences preserved
east of the caldera, in the Valle de Vazquez-Chinameca
sector (Fig. 6). The massive character of most of the
intra-caldera facies of the Tilzapotla ignimbrite preclude the estimation of the number of the individual
flow unit deposits and speaks for their emplacement in
a short time interval. Slumping episodes of the caldera
inner wall are depicted mainly in the uppermost
stratigraphic levels of the ignimbrite, where they are
intercalated with meso- and mega-breccia lenses. Normal faults, near parallel to the structural margin,
cutting the breccia deposits in the caldera margin are
indicative of minor episodes of subsidence reactivation, after the main deposition episodes of intra-caldera
ignimbrite and breccias.
The size of the caldera and the structural relationships along its margin are suggestive of an overall
piston subsidence of the caldera floor. Structural
discontinuities associated with NW-trending lineaments seem to have defined the nearly rectilinear
northeastern and southwestern segments of the caldera
structural margin (Fig. 4). There are indications in the
region of left-lateral displacement along NW-trending
lvarez et al.,
faults, in late Eocene time (Alaniz-A
2002). Temporally and locally NW-trending faults,
limiting the Tilzapotla caldera, had a vertical component associated with the collapse. Fault plane kinematic indicators, affecting the Tilzapotla ignimbrite,
show that the left-lateral displacement continued after
the collapse in the caldera area.
5.2.3. Volume estimation
The estimation of the total volume of the Tilzapotla
ignimbrite is restricted by the incomplete exposure of
the intra-caldera facies and the poorly preserved
outflow sheet. The maximum exposed thickness of
the intra-caldera facies, near the southeastern segment
of the caldera ring fault, is about 600 m. If we assume
a conservative thickness of 1000 m and a caldera area
of 550 km2 defined by the ring fault zone, we obtain a
minimum volume of 550 km3 for the intra-caldera
facies. This volume includes the host rock breccia
accumulations derived from the slumping and caving
of the caldera walls. The contrasting topography at the
time of the caldera formation and the erosion effects to

115

the original thickness make difficult a realistic estimation of the outflow sheet volume. The preserved
outflow exposures suggest that they could have been
continuously distributed in an area of about 4500 km2.
The thickness of the preserved outflow sheet varies
from 50 m, near the northwestern caldera ring, to 5 m
in the more distal outcrops. Assuming an average
thickness of 10 m for the outflow sheet, a volume of
45 km3 can be estimated for the outflow facies. Given
these conservative assumptions and taking into account the caldera size volume correlation inferred by
Smith (1979), the total figure of 600 km3 must be
considered a minimum.
5.2.4. Post-collapse and resurgent stages
Ash flow units of the Rodarte ignimbrite display
evidence of post-collapse and pre-resurgence volcanism. Erosive contacts among pyroclastic flow units
are indicative of a reduction in the volcanic activity
following the major ash flow events related to the
caldera collapse. In the Mesa del Rodarte area, ignimbrite layers are in a subhorizontal position but to the
south, at the margin of the uplifted block, they are
tilted to the northeast. This fact and the higher
topographic position of equivalent ignimbrite layers
over the central block are indicative of pre-resurgence
emplacement. The remnants of conglomerate and
agglomerate sequences of the Salitre formation over
the central block are indicative of fluvial and debris
flow accumulations, coeval with volcanism and previous to the resurgence stage. There are no remnants
of lacustrine sediments preserved within the caldera.
Lava flows of the El Salto formation are mainly
distributed on topographic highs in the central area of
the caldera, but they also display a continuous distribution to lower topographic positions. The elongated
shape of the lava flows flanked by older units and the
intercalation of auto-breccias and debris flow deposits, suggest that they descended along relatively steep
narrow canyons.
The gradual change in composition of the resurgence lava flows of the Salto formation from dacitic to
more intermediate indicates the extrusion of magma
coming from deeper levels of a zoned magma chamber or the input of new magma. The relatively large
difference in isotopic signatures between the collapse
ignimbrites and lava flows of the resurgence, as well
as the variability in isotopic ratios of hypabyssal

116

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

rocks, favors the assumption of the chamber replenishment by more primitive magma.
The most conspicuous indication of resurgence is
the NW elongated uplifted block in the central part of
the caldera (Figs. 4 and 5). The outline of the
resurgent block does not completely coincide with
the ring fault zone as in other resurgent calderas
characterized by piston subsidence (i.e. Lindsay et
al., 2001). The rectilinear SW and NE margins of the
uplifted block are near parallel to the major axis of the
caldera, but in an inner position relative to the
structural margin. The regional tectonic fabrics of
NW-trending regional faults, imposed by strike-slip
tectonics, seemed to have controlled the elongated
shape of the block (Lipman, 1984). Pre-existing
fractures in the caldera floor were probably the cause
of a block uplift style rather than a better defined
dome, involving the whole floor of the caldera. Most
lava flows and hypabyssal bodies have a source
associated to the resurgent block boundaries. Lava
flows and hypabyssal intrusions of the caldera are
located where the resurgence block boundary coincides with the ring fault zone.

Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Gerardo Aguirre Diaz for
valuable suggestions and fieldwork assistance during
the first stage of this study. We also acknowledge
Enrique Gonzalez and Barbara Martiny for helpful
discussions and assistance during fieldwork. Fred
McDowell, Zinzuni Jurado and Ken Rubin made
helpful suggestions that greatly improved the manuscript. The following persons provided support in
sample analyses, fieldwork and preparation of figures
and diagrams: Margarita Reyes, Patricia Giron,
Rufino Lozano, Peter Schaaf, Rodolfo Corona,
Gabriela Sols, Juan Julio Morales, Sol Hernandez,
Gabriela Guzzy, Esther Leyva, Ahiram Monter and
Armando Alcala. Financial support came from the
Direccion General de Asuntos del Personal Academico, UNAM (Grant PAPIIT IN104802) and resources
from the Instituto de Geologa, UNAM.

Appendix A .

40

Ar 39Ar geochronology

A.1 . Sample preparation and analysis

6. Conclusions
The distribution of volcanic features and thickness
variations, with respect to a large-scale elliptical
structure, indicate that the Tilzapotla ignimbrite is
associated to the climatic caldera-forming event.
An initial tumescence stage in the area produced a
NW-trending elliptical dome causing structural interference with pre-existing NNE to NNW folds. After
the collapse, the caldera underwent a resurgent process characterized by the uplift of a central block
limited by NW-trending faults.
The NW-oriented elliptical structure was defined
by the tectonic control of coeval regional left-lateral
faults that coincide with the northeastern and southwestern margins of the caldera. The caldera floor
collapse was accommodated by temporal subvertical
displacements of these fault segments.
Differences in Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic signatures,
between collapse ignimbrites and volcanic rocks of
the resurgence, suggest that the latter are related to the
input of new more primitive magma to the magma
chamber that produced the caldera resurgence.

Two andesite samples (Tz-63-02 and Tz-62-02) of

the El Salto Formation and one of the Tilzapotla
ignimbrite (Sol-2) were dated with 40Ar 39Ar geochronology (Fig. 7 and Tables 1B and 1C). The 250
180 Am size fractions of the andesite samples were
leached in 10% hydrochloric acid to remove secondary calcite. Phenocrysts were removed from the volcanic matrix using heavy liquids and magnetic
separation techniques. Plagioclase was also separated
for andesite sample TZ-63-02. A sanidine mineral
separate from the ignimbrite was produced using
magnetic separation, heavy liquids and handpicking
to a purity of >99%. The mineral and volcanic matrix
separates were washed in acetone, alcohol, and deionized water in an ultrasonic cleaner to remove dust and
then re-sieved by hand using a 120-Am sieve.
Approximately 250 mg of volcanic matrix and 10
mg of sanidine were packaged in copper and aluminum capsules, respectively, and sealed under vacuum
in quartz tubes. The samples were then irradiated for
20 h (package KD31) in the central thimble facility at
the TRIGA reactor (GSTR) at the U.S. Geological
Survey, Denver, CO. The monitor mineral used in the

D.J. Moran-Zenteno et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 136 (2004) 97119

package was Fish Canyon Tuff sanidine (FCT-3) with

an age of 27.79 Ma (Kunk et al., 1985; Cebula et al.,
1986) relative to MMhb-1 with an age of 519.4 F 2.5
Ma (Alexander et al., 1978; Dalrymple et al., 1981).
The type of container and the geometry of samples
and standards are similar to that described by Snee et
al. (1988).
All samples were analyzed at the U.S. Geological
Survey Thermochronology laboratory in Denver, CO.
The volcanic matrix separates were analyzed on a VG
Isotopes, Model 1200 B Mass Spectrometer fitted
with an electron multiplier using the 40Ar 39Ar
step-heating method of dating. Sanidine grains were
analyzed using a MAP 216 mass spectrometer fitted
with an electron multiplier using the 40Ar 39Ar laser
fusion method of dating. Twenty-one individual
grains of sanidine were fused with a CO2 laser. For
additional information on the analytical procedure, see
Kunk et al. (2001).
The argon isotopic data for the andesites were
reduced using an updated version of the computer
program ArAr* (Haugerud and Kunk, 1988). The
sanidine isotopic data was reduced using the computer
program Mass Spec (Deino, 2001). We used the decay
constants recommended by Steiger and Jaeger (1977).
Table 1B shows 40Ar 39Ar step-heating data for the
andesites and includes the identification of individual
step, plateau, and total gas ages. Total gas ages represent the age calculated from the addition of all of the
measured argon peaks for all steps in a single sample.
The total gas ages are roughly equivalent to conventional K Ar ages. No analytical precision is calculated
for total gas ages. Plateau ages are identified when three
or more contiguous steps in the age spectrum agree in
age, within the limits of analytical precision, and
contain more than 50% of the 39Ar released from the
sample. Table 1B shows the 40Ar 39Ar laser total
fusion data and includes individual total fusion age
analyses and the weighted mean age for the sample.

Appendix B . K Ar geochronology
After drying at 110j C overnight, the mineral
fractions were split in two parts, one for K determinations and the other for Ar measurement. K was
obtained following the method of Sole and Enrique
(2001). Briefly, 100 mg of sample were fused with

117

lithium metaborate + lithium tetraborate. The fused

pearls were measured with a Siemens 3000 spectrometer calibrated against several international standards
prepared in the same way. Results were accurate
within 1% (1r) or better.
Argon was measured by isotope dilution (38Ar
tracer) with a VG1200B noble gas mass spectrometer
operated in static mode. Samples were fused with a
double vacuum tantalum furnace. After fusion, samples were purified with a cold finger, and two SAES
getters, one operated at 400j C and the other at room
temperature. Eight series of measurements of each
mass were made sequentially and extrapolated to gas
introduction time. Signal was acquired with a Faraday
collector. Variation coefficients for 40Ar and 38Ar are
generally below 0.1% and below 0.5% for 36Ar. All
analyses were made at Laboratorio Universitario de
Geoqumica Isotopica (LUGIS), UNAM.

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