GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE O'BRIEN PAMPAS PAMPA DEL TAMARUGAL, TARAPACA, SPAIN

Abstract

This paper analyses, by means of geomorphological photointerpretation the deposites which cover the Pampa O'Brien (a sector of the Pampa del Tamarugal,  Province oí Tarapacá, Chile). The deposites originate from the nearby gorges oí Aroma, Quebrada Seca, Tarapacá and Quipisca. These gorges, when opening at the pampa level, form extensive influence areas in which it is possible to observe and distinguish sectors oí ancient sedimentation and recent erosion and accumulation processes. Both old and more recent agricultural areas have been established precisely upon accumulation zones belonging to the Middle Quaternary. The maps show the position oí the agricultural plots among the dif:ferent influence areas.