Climate change and tectonic uplift triggered the formation of the Atacama Desert’s giant nitrate deposits
- Pérez Fodich, Alida
- Álvarez, Fernanda
- Snyder, Glen T.
- Schoenberg, Ronny
- Reich Morales, Martín
- Vargas Easton, Víctor
DOIAbstract
Artículo de publicación ISIThe giant nitrate deposits of the hyperarid Atacama Desert (Chile) are one of the most extraordinary, yet enigmatic, mineral occurrences on Earth. These deposits are complex assemblages of highly soluble nitrates, chlorides, sulfates, perchlorates, iodates, and chromates, and their preservation is the result of prevalent hyperarid climate conditions in the Atacama Desert since the late Miocene, with average rainfall rates of <10 mm/yr in the past ~3 m.y. Although several hypotheses have been proposed since the mid-1800s, the formation of these extensive deposits still remains highly controversial despite the fact that recent studies have argued toward an atmospheric source for the nitrate, sulfate, and p...
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