CRONOLOGÍA ACTUALIZADA DE NUCLEIDOS COSMOGÉNICOS EN EL ÁREA DE

MUCUBAJÍ, ANDES DE MÉRIDA (VENEZUELA). CONTRIBUCIONES AL

CONOCIMIENTO PALEOGLACIOLÓGICO Y NEOTECTÓNICO
ISANDRA ANGEL1, FRANCK AUDEMARD 2, JULIEN CARCAILLET 3, EDUARDO CARRILLO 4, LUZ RODRÍGUEZ 2
1
Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Simón Bolívar, 89000, Caracas 1081-A, Venezuela.
2
Fundación Venezolana de Investigaciones Sismológicas, FUNVISIS, El Llanito, Caracas, 1070, Venezuela
3
Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mt Blanc, CNRS, IRD, IFSTTAR, ISTerre, 38000 Grenoble, France
4
ECP Geosciences Consulting. Houston, Texas, USA

RESUMEN
Durante la última década, parte de la morfología glaciar en los Andes centrales de Mérida ha sido estudiada
utilizando la geocronología con el isótopo cosmogénico terrestre 10Be. La cronología está disponible para las
morrenas del Desecho, La Victoria, Los Zerpa, Las Tapias y el valle de Mucubají. Sin embargo, los datos han sido
obtenidos utilizando diferentes tasas de producción y diferentes parámetros para escalar en el tiempo dicha
producción. En esta forma, es difícil compararlos y discutir sobre historias de desglaciación y neotectónica. En este
artículo, la cronología fue recalculada usando mismos parámetros de tasa de producción y el mismo modelo de
variación de producción del isótopo comsogénico dependiente del tiempo. Las edades de exposición indican que la
desglaciación comenzó en el valle de Mucubají durante el Último Máximo Glacial hace unos 22-21 ka, mientras que
los paleoglaciares de las morrenas del Desecho, Los Zerpa y Las Tapias comienzan a desaparecer durante un
episodio de calentamiento entre los 19-18 ka. También han sido determinadas tasas de desplazamiento de la falla de
Boconó. Valores entre 1.90-2.35 mm/año han sido obtenidas para la traza norte, mientras que, para la traza sur, han
sido obtenidos valores entre 3.33-6.25 mm/año.

Palabras clave: geocronología con isótopos cosmogénicos terrestres, morfología glaciar, historias de desglaciación,
Mérida Andes, Falla de Boconó, neotectónica.

REVISED COSMOGENIC NUCLIDE CHRONOLOGY IN THE MUCUBAJÍ AREA,

MÉRIDA ANDES (VENEZUELA). CONTRIBUTIONS FOR GLACIAL AND
NEOTECTONIC KNOWLEDGE
ABSTRACT
Glacial chronology based on 10Be-Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide dating during the last decade, have been obtained
in the central Mérida Andes. Data is available from El Desecho, La Victoria, Los Zerpa and Las Tapias moraines and
the Mucubají valley. However, exposure ages have been obtained considering different cosmogenic production rates
and scaling schemes to obtain cosmogenic production in time. Such data as it stands is not comparable in order to
establish deglaciation histories and neotectonic rates. So, previously published exposure ages of the Mucubají valley
and surroundings were recalculated using the same 10Be production rate and scaling scheme. Exposure ages indicate
deglaciation has begun during the Last Glacial Maximum in the Mucubají valley at around 22-21 ka and, a warming
episode between 19-18 ka yield paleo or former glaciers retreats from El Desecho, Los Zerpa and Las Tapias
moraines, and in the Mucubají valley. Moreover, deglaciation histories and Boconó Fault slip rates were also refined
with updated exposure ages. In the northern strand of the Boconó Fault slip rate values were estimated between 1.90-
2.35 mm/a, whereas in the southern strand rates range between 3.33-6.25 mm/a.

Keywords: terrestrial cosmogenics nuclides geochronology, glacial landforms, deglaciation histories, Mérida Andes,
Boconó Fault, neotectonic.
INTRODUCTION and the GIAME project from FUNVISIS which
financed field trips.
In the Mérida Andes, glaciers and glacial landforms
have been studied since the end of the XIX and Glacial chronology from previous published studies
beginning of the XX centuries (e.g. Sievers, 1885; (Wesnousky et al., 2012; Carcaillet et al., 2013 and
Jahn, 1912, 1925). Moraines have been an Angel, 2016) are based on different cosmogenic
important glacial landform studied to reconstruct production rates and scaling schemes which hinders
glaciations or deglaciation histories (e.g. Schubert, any reliable comparison. In the following, exposure
1974; Mahaney et al., 2000; Mahaney et al., 2010; ages are recalculated considering same and updated
Stansell et al., 2005; Carcaillet et al., 2013) and, to parameters to reconstruct the deglaciation history
understand neotectonics in the region (e.g. Schubert surrounding the Mucubají valley during the Marine
and Sifontes, 1970; Audemard et al., 1999; Isotope Stage (MIS) 2. In addition, this article aims
Wesnousky et al., 2012). at contributing with the regional neotectonic
knowledge in the same period using exposure ages
Well preserved moraines are evidenced in the of glacial landforms deformed by the Boconó Fault.
landscape of the central Mérida Andes, some of
which have been dated based on different
chronological methods, such as radiocarbon REGIONAL SETTING
(Schubert, 1970; Mahaney et al., 2001; Mahaney et
al., 2007), Thermoluminescence (TL; Schubert and Geologic, tectonic and geomorphic settings
Vaz, 1987; Bezada, 1989), Optically Stimulated The Mérida Andes (MA) are located in the
Luminescence (OSL, Mahaney et al., 2000) and southwest of Venezuela, they are ~N45E oriented
more recently, Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide and extend over 400 km. The MA highest elevation
(TCN) dating (Wesnousky et al., 2012; Carcaillet et is the Pico Bolivar with 4978 m a.s.l. The MA
al., 2013; Angel, 2016). However, glacial orogenesis is mainly connected to the geodynamic
chronology is still limited and this hinders the interaction of the Panamá Arc, Caribbean and South
reconstruction of deglaciation histories and American plates (Taboada et al., 2000; Audemard
glaciation knowledge in the region (e.g. Carcaillet et and Audemard, 2002; Bermudez, 2009; Monod et
al., 2013). al., 2010). Quaternary uplift because of these plates
Most moraines have been dated in the region based interactions ranges between ~0.7 and 5 mm/a
on radiocarbon dating; however, this chronological (Audemard and Audemard, 2002; Wesnousky et al.,
method most of time is indirectly related to the 2012; Guzmán et al., 2013).
deglaciation age of a moraine (e.g. González et al., Present-day deformation in the Mérida Andes is
1965; Helmens, 1988). This fact renders difficult to mainly accommodated by the Boconó Fault. It is a
reconstruct deglaciation histories. In contrast, a NE–SW trending right-lateral strike–slip (RLSS)
moraine age obtained by Terrestrial Cosmogenic fault that extends for about 500 km (Audemard and
Nuclide (TCN) dating, allows reconstructing a Audemard, 2002; Audemard, 2009, 2014). It
better deglaciation history since the immediate extends between the Táchira depression, at the
glacier retreat can be dated (e.g. Gosse and Phillips, border between Colombia and Venezuela, and the
2001; Dunai, 2010). town of Morón located on the Caribbean coast
This article compiles glacial chronology based on (Audemard and Audemard, 2002). In Morón, the
Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide 10Be dating (10Be- Boconó fault exhibits a 45° clockwise bend, and
TCN) located in the surroundings of Mucubají continues into the east–west striking San Sebastián–
valley, Mérida Andes, specifically from El Desecho, El Pilar fault system (Audemard and Audemard,
La Victoria, Los Zerpa, Las Tapias moraines and 2002).
the Mucubají valley. In this region, 10Be-TCN ages Right-lateral offsets of Quaternary features by the
are available from Wesnousky et al. (2012), Boconó Fault (BF) such as glacial landforms as for
Carcaillet et al. (2013) and Angel (2016). Glacial example moraines but also drainages, alluvial
chronology from El Desecho and Las Tapias deposits and shutter ridges, range from 60 to 100 m
moraines (Angel, 2016), were obtained thanks to depending on their age (Audemard, 1998, 2009a;
different institutions. French institutions as Audemard et al, 1999, 2008; Audemard and
Université de Grenoble-Alpes and Institute de Audemard, 2002). Deposits as moraines from the
Recherche pour le Development (IRD), which Late Pleistocene glaciation, locally known as Late
supplied significant economic resources to dating, Mérida Glaciation during Marine Isotope Stages 2
 and 1 (MIS 2 and MIS 1) are particularly abundant The study region is located between El Desecho and
along the central section of the Boconó Fault Las Tapias moraines (Figure 1). El Desecho
(Schubert, 1974; Schubert and Vivas, 1993; Kalm moraine is located at the North of the Mucubají
and Mahaney, 2011; Wesnousky et al., 2012; valley; this terminal moraine is ~ 1 km long and it
Carcaillet et al., 2013). Quaternary slip rates values is NE-SW oriented (Figure 2a). Evidence of the
for the BF, as individual traces of as a system, are Boconó Fault across El Desecho moraine can be
between 3 and 14 mm/a (Audemard et al., 1999; observed in the field by the fault scarp (Figure 2b).
Audemard, 2003). In the central MA, at the At the east of El Desecho moraine, Las Tapias
Apartaderos pull-apart basin, the BF slip rates for moraines are located with a NW-SE orientation
the south and north strands, range between 2.5–10 (Figure 3). Between both moraines, from SW-NE is
mm/a based on the shifted moraine of Mucubají, located the Mucubají valley with different moraines
Los Zerpa and La Victoria valleys (Schubert and inside the valley (for more details, refer to
Sifontes, 1970; Soulas, 1985; Soulas et al., 1986; Audemard, 2009a and Carcaillet et al., 2013). At the
Audemard et al., 1999; 2008; Wesnousky et al., NE of this valley, La Victoria and Los Zerpa
2012); and between 2.3–3.0 mm/a for the northern moraines are located (for more details, refer to
strand based on El Desecho moraine and around 7.5 Audemard, 2009a and Wesnousky et al., 2012)
mm/a for the southern main strand (Audemard et (Figure 3).
al., 1999, 2008), totaling some 10 mm/a in the
Mucubají region.
Quaternary glaciations in the central Mérida Andes
Typical features of high mountains affected by
glaciations have been observed in the MA above
~2500 m (Schubert and Vivas, 1993). In the central
MA, two moraine complexes are observed between
2600-2800 m and 3000-3500 m; these moraine
complexes evidence glacier activity during the
Quaternary (Royo and Gómez, 1959; Schubert,
1970; 1972, 1974; Schubert and Valastro, 1974).
Schubert (1974), based on these two moraine
complexes, established the Mérida Glaciation. The
Mérida Glaciation was divided in the Early Mérida
(~90-60 ka) and the Late Mérida Glaciation (~24-13
ka) (Schubert, 1970, 1974; Kalm and Mahaney,
2011).
Early Mérida Glaciation moraines (the lowest Figure 1. Study region location in the central
complex between 2600-2700 m) are covered by Mérida Andes (red rectangle). A) A general
abundant vegetation and are characterized by geodynamic context of northern South America
extremely weathered till, deeply eroded, which still (modified from Audemard et al., 2010). B) The
shows striated and faceted pebbles (Schubert, study region is located close to the Mucubají Lake
1974). The Early Mérida Glaciation is poorly at elevations higher than 3100 m, with influences of
constrained because few chronologies are available, Santo Domingo and Chama River catchments
ages range between ~60 and ~90 ka (Mahaney et (Digital Elevation Model from Garrity et al., 2004).
al., 2000; Mahaney et al., 2001; Dirszowsky et al., C) El Desecho moraine is located inside red
2005; Mahaney et al., 2010; Kalm and Mahaney rectangle with Fig.2 and La Victoria, Los Zerpa
2011), corresponding to the MIS 4, MIS 5. Late and Las Tapias moraines are inside red rectangle
Mérida Glaciation (Late Wisconsin) is better with Fig.3. The Mucubají valley is at the southeast
constrained, moraines are located between 3000- of the Mucubají Lake.
3500 m and ages range between 25-13 ky (MIS 2)
(based on limited radiocarbon ages; Schubert 1974;
Schubert and Valastro, 1974; Schubert and
Clapperton, 1990).
Study region
 the figure) and, La Victoria and Los Zerpa exposure
ages from Wesnousky et al. (2012) and Carcaillet et
al. (2013). Moraine deformation caused by the
Boconó Fault can be observed (aerial photograph
from Mission 010455 picture 004).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Morphostratigraphic relation of moraines and
implications on reconstruction of glaciations or
deglaciation histories
Glaciation or deglaciation history reconstructions
involve paleo- or former glacier dynamics; this
means, the study of paleo- or former glacier
advances or retreats in a region. This dynamics of
former glaciers occurred in space and time. Timing
reconstruction of former glaciers can be deduced
from morphostratigraphic analyses of glacial
landforms. Spatial distribution of glacial landforms
in a landscape provides qualitative chronological
information (e.g. Hughes et al., 2005). For example,
in a valley, moraines at low elevations were
deposited by a glacier before the upper ones. When
a glacier retreats, glacial landforms such as
moraines or “roches moutonnées” (fr.) lower
elevations are first exposed, then, glacial landforms
Figure 2. 2a) 10Be-TCN data or exposure ages from at highest elevation are lately exposed.
the El Desecho moraine from Angel (2016) on
aerial photograph from Mission 010455 Ice-marginal moraines (a lateral, a frontal or a
Cartografía Nacional picture 004. 2b) Boconó latero-frontal) are created during a period of the
Fault scarp on El Desecho moraine (picture from glacier equilibrium with climate during deposition
Luz Rodríguez). followed by a period of positive mass balance (e.g.
Benn and Evans, 2010). During a period of positive
mass balance, mass accumulation occurs in a
glacier, so the glacier grows, it advances and it
creates an ice-marginal moraine. Therefore, it
denotes a glacier advance. The lowest one limits the
maximum glacier advance in a valley. The frontal or
a latero-frontal moraine related to the maximum
glacier advance is denoted as a terminal moraine.
It is important to note that a moraine, or in general a
glacial landform study, represents a partial record of
the glaciation history in a region (e.g. Kirkbride and
Brazier, 1998). For example, all glacier advances
that occurred in a valley could be poorly
represented by moraines distribution in a landscape.
This is because different processes could remove
ancient moraines: a) a more extended and younger
glacier advance, b) proglacial erosion, c) denudation
and, d) gravitational processes (landslides)
(Kirkbride and Brazier, 1998). Therefore,
Figure 3. Las Tapias moraines with 10Be-TCN data integration with studies from sediment deposits
from Angel (2016) (stars most of the east located in close to glacier margin (proglacial environments),
as for example from a proglacial lake or terraces, production rate from the Quelccaya Ice Cap
complements glaciation reconstruction studies. (13.95°S, 70.89°W, 4857 m), in the Peruvian
10 Andes, which range between 3.78±0.09 at.(g-1.yr-1)
Be TCN dating implications on deglaciation
(atoms/grams.year) to 3.97±0.09 for 0 m/Myr and
histories reconstruction
4.5 m/Myr erosion respectively. Meanwhile, Blard
The interaction between cosmic rays and chemical et al. (2013) computed a (SLHL) production rate of
targets of the Earth environment produces 3.63±0.17 at.g-1.yr-1 from the Bolivian Uturuncu
Beryllium-10 (10Be). It is a cosmogenic nuclide volcano (22° S, 67° W, 3800-4900 m). Also, Martin
isotope (Half-life 1.36 ± 0.07 Ma) (Gosse and et al. (2015) computed a SLHL production rate of
Phillips, 2001). This cosmogenic nuclide isotope is 3.76 ± 0.15 at.g−1.yr−1 from the Challapata fan-
named in-situ 10Be when is formed in the first delta in Bolivia (19°S, 3800 m). All these
meters of the lithosphere exposed to cosmic rays production rates are not significantly different. In
(Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide, TCN). It thus this study, we selected the value proposed by Kelly
constitutes a suitable tool for dating exposure age of et al. (2013), because it is closest to the MA. The
rock surfaces. Rock surfaces of glacial landforms selected scaling scheme is the time dependent
are exposed to the cosmic rays after deglaciation or model from Lal (1991), modified by Stone (2000).
ice retreat so; if this rock surface is preserved Ages were recalculated using CRONUS online
without erosion, the exposure age or deglaciation calculator based on Balco et al. (2008) from
chronology denotes time since glacial landform is https://hess.ess.washington.edu/
ice free. In addition, TCN chronologies are assumed
Glacial landforms and TCN ages of tropical
as minimum values because of potential post-
glaciers
deglaciation processes could erode glacial
landforms surfaces (Nishiizumi et al., 1989; Briner A difference between the age of abandonment of
and Swanson, 1998; Siame et al., 2000; Gosse and glacial landforms (moraine construction, bedrock
Phillips, 2001; Dunai, 2010; Balco, 2011). In surface erosion by glacier abrasion) and the
contrast, when a surface rock was not enough effective age of deglaciation assessed by TCN
eroded by glaciers (less than 2-3 m) or a moraine exposure dating. This can be the consequence of
boulder was transported in a previous glacial period, significant erosion and/or ancient sediment covering
inherited or initial in situ 10Be is present in the on the glacial landform. The field observation of
glacial landform after deglaciation. This inherited low erosion of the original surface (glacial striations
in-situ 10Be implies overestimated exposure ages and polished surfaces are present), suggest
(Gosse et al., 1995; Guido et al., 2007; Balco, insignificant difference, whereas sediment covering
2011). lead to an under-estimation of the age of
10 abandonment. Nevertheless, exposure ages are
Be TCN ages calculation
assumed as minimum estimated (Nishiizumi et al.,
10 1989; Briner and Swanson, 1998; Siame et al.,
Be TCN chronological data from this study was
compiled from previous works (Wesnousky et al., 2000; Gosse and Phillips, 2001; Dunai, 2010;
2012; Carcaillet et al., 2013 and Angel, 2016). Balco, 2011).
Exposure ages were re-calculated using same and
When climate conditions lead to accumulate mass in
updated input.
a glacier, glaciers recorded positive mass balances,
Because 10Be is formed by the interaction between which means, more mass accumulation occur.
cosmic rays and surface rocks, parameters to When positive mass balance is recorded in a glacier,
calculate exposure ages from moraines are: latitude, it advances and builds ice-marginal moraines
longitude, elevation, thickness of the sample, (Hughes et al, 2005; Bennet and Glasser, 2009;
erosion rate values, scaling scheme, topographic Kirkbride and Winkler, 2012). In contrast, moraine
shielding and production rates from the point where deglaciation occurs during a period with negative
samples were collected (to see details about glacier mass balances. A time lag could happen
sampling refer to Wesnousky et al., 2012; Carcaillet between glacier advance and deglaciation. Even if
et al., 2013 and Angel, 2016). this is difficult to quantify, the time lag is assumed
as a minimum, considering the sensitive response of
Several production rates have been determined at
the tropical glaciers to climate changes (Kaser and
high altitudes in the tropical Andes, which should
Osmaston, 2002). The accelerated retreat of the
be considered as the best values for TCN dating for
current tropical Andean glaciers occurred at the
MA. For instance, Kelly et al. (2013) estimated a
same time as a major increase in the global
sea level high latitude (SLHL) in situ 10Be
 temperature curve after 1976 (Rabatel et al., 2013). considered as outliers and the weighted average
It indicates that tropical paleo-glacier response to exposure age for Los Zerpa is 18.34±1.42 ka (n=5).
climate changes would rapidly occur in some years.

Boconó Fault slip rates calculation

Landforms deformed by the Boconó Fault in the
DISCUSSION
study region were considered to determine offsets
and fault slip rates. For example, at the northern Reconstruction of the deglaciation history during
strand, El Desecho moraine was considered to the MIS 2
determine a fault offset, and with the weighted
The paleoclimate during the MIS 2 is characterized
average 10Be-TCN or exposure ages from Angel
by important climatic periods, for example, the Last
(2016), a slip rate was determined. At the southern
Glacial Maximum (LGM). The LGM refers to a
strand of the fault, re-calculated 10Be-TCN ages
from Wesnousky et al. (2012), Carcaillet et al. period when most of the northern ice sheets and
(2013) and Angel (2016) from La Victoria, Los many mountain glaciers reached their maximum
extent at 22±4 ka (Shakun and Carlson, 2010). In
Zerpa and Las Tapias moraines were used as
contrast, in the MA, the glacier maximum extension
chronological reference. Offsets were based on
(Early Mérida Glaciation) is located at 2600 m
aerial photographs from Mission 010455
a.s.l., time before the LGM, during the Early Mérida
Cartografía Nacional picture 004, field trip
Glaciation between ~90-60 ka (Schubert, 1974;
measurements and previous studies.
Mahaney et al., 2000; Mahaney et al., 2001;
Dirszowsky et al., 2005; Mahaney et al., 2010;
Kalm and Mahaney 2011). Evidences in the field of
RESULTS
the Late Mérida Glaciation (Late Wisconsin),
10
Be-TCN recalculated chronological data corresponding to the LGM period, are observed
between 3000-3500 m a.s.l. and mainly dated based
Recalculated exposure ages from Wesnousky et al.
on radiocarbon chronology between 25-13 ka
(2012), Carcaillet et al. (2013) and Angel (2016)
(Schubert 1974; Schubert and Valastro, 1974;
range between 11.02±0.43 to 39.45±3.90 ka, with
Schubert and Rinaldi, 1987; Schubert and
age uncertainties in generally lower than 10%
Clapperton, 1990).
(Table 1). Compared with the originally published
values, ages from this study are 10-14 % older, this In the central MA, cold climate conditions were
is because different 10Be cosmogenic nuclide determined between 22.75 and 19.96 cal ka BP
production rates and scaling schemes were used. based on palynological analysis of PED5 section
from Mesa del Caballo (Schubert and Rinaldi,
El Desecho lateral moraine results range between
1987). Temperatures were at least 8.8±2°C lower
17.70±0.98 and 21.78±3.09 ka. Exposure ages are
than today (Stansell et al., 2007). This cold period
not significantly different. El Desecho weighted
yields Mucubají glacier advances around 3500 m
average exposure age is 19.13±1.88 ka (n=3) (Table
a.s.l. because of TCN ages are between 22 and 20
1), whereas 10Be-TCN ages from Las Tapias
ka (ages modified from Carcaillet et al., 2013)
moraine range between 17.34±1.14 and 19.65±0.96
(Table 1). These exposure ages agree with a
(Table 1), with a weighted average exposure age
previous radiocarbon date of 19.08±0.82 ka BP of
from the outermost lateral Las Tapias moraine of
an outwash fan located down valley at 3400 m in
18.88±1.08 ka.
the vicinity of the moraine (Schubert and Rinaldi,
Recalculated exposure ages for La Victoria moraine 1987). The formation of the outwash fan is
range between 15.55±0.62 ka and 18.74±3.76 ka compatible with the development of the moraine at
(n=4); ages are not significantly different: the elevations higher than 3400 m.
weighted average exposure age is 16.78±1.30 ka,
During the LGM, cold climate conditions in the
whereas recalculated exposure ages for Los Zerpa
central MA could also provide positive mass
show a wide range (14.95±1.13 ka to 39.45±3.90
balances surroundings the Mucubají valley,
ka, Table 1), suggesting the existence of inheritance
specifically in Las Tapias, Los Zerpa and El
in the oldest sample (VEN 24), and post-
Desecho moraine catchments until deglaciation
abandonment movement for the youngest (LZ09-
began at around 19-18 ka (Table 1). Whereas La
02). Therefore, these extreme values were
Victoria moraine close to Los Zerpa moraines
(Figure 3), the former glacier seems to be the last
ice mass which began deglaciation. However,
exposure ages are not significantly different of
others in the region (Table 1).
After the LGM, different climatic events have been
reported in the global paleoclimate named as Oldest
Table 1. Recalculated 10Be-TCN ages from moraines surroundings the Mucubají valley. Ages were recalculated using CRONUS online calculator considering
10
Be production rate from the tropical Andes from Kelly et al. (2013).

Moraine/Valley Sample Longitude Latitude Elevation (m a.s.l.) Age (ka) External uncertainty (ka) Reference
DESE-1401 -70,8436 8,8008 3556 17.70 0.98
DESE-1402 -70,8444 8,8000 3548 17.90 0.73
Desecho DESE-1403 -70,8428 8,8022 3548 21.78 3.09 Angel, 2016
Mu09-01 -70,8279 8,8009 3620 19.89 0.83
Mu09-02 -70,8343 8,7954 3589 21.50 1.79
Mu09-03 -70,8267 8,7951 3572 18.54 1.28
Mu09-04 -70,8233 8,7874 3607 15.82 0.61
Mu09-05 -70,8229 8,785 3615 15.87 1.21
Mu09-06 -70,8224 8,7852 3620 18.91 1.48
Mu09-07 -70,8197 8,7789 3697 16.43 0.82
Mu09-08 -70,8189 8,7785 3727 16.83 0.79
Mu09-10 -70,8129 8,7667 4067 11.02 0.43
Mu09-11 -70,8119 8,7633 4213 12.87 0.50
Mu09-12 -70,8121 8,7659 4091 11.46 0.97
Mu09-13 -70,8164 8,7689 3982 11.77 0.47
Mu09-14 -70,8152 8,7719 3862 12.01 1.02
Mucubají Mu09-15 -70,8161 8,7758 3804 15.37 1.39 Carcaillet et al., 2013
VEN_19 -70,8006 8,8141 3255 18.74 3.76
VEN_20 -70,8006 8,8142 3258 17.16 1.03
VEN_21 -70,8010 8,8142 3260 15.67 0.73
La Victoria VEN_23 -70,7993 8,8139 3243 15.55 0.62 Wesnousky et al., 2012
VEN_24 -70,7883 8,8117 3128 39.45 3.90
VEN_25 -70,7881 8,8121 3115 19.72 1.60

Los Zerpa VEN_26 -70,7873 8,8120 3104 16.87 1.76 Wesnousky et al., 2012
 VEN_27 -70,7875 8,8117 3105 19.72 0.75
VEN_28 -70,7873 8,8118 3106 18.97 1.05
LZ09-01 -70,7884 8,8117 3127 16.43 1.58
LZ09-02 -70,7874 8,8117 3113 14.95 1.13 Carcaillet et al., 2013
TAPIAS-1401 -70,7736 8,8139 3097 19.63 0.92
TAPIAS-1402 -70,7739 8,8139 3096 17.34 1.14
Las Tapias TAPIAS-1403 -70,7739 8,8142 3096 19.65 0.96 Angel, 2016
 Reference Offsets (m) /based on Chronological information Slip rates (mm/year)

Schubert and Sifontes, 66 m/La Victoria and Los Zerpa Correlation with Bogotá Plain moraines assumed
1970 moraines as 10 ka based on radiocarbon method 6.6
Gingegack and Graunch, 70 m/La Victoria and Los Zerpa
1972 moraines Refute Schubert and Sifontes (1970) premise Not reported
2.3-3
15±2 ka based on correlation with a glacio-fluvial
Audemard et al., 1999 40/El Desecho moraine deposit radiocarbon dated in the Mucubají valley 5.0-7.7
60-100/La Victoria and Los Zerpa from Salgado-Laboriou (1977)

Wesnousky et al., 2012 100/La Victoria and Los Zerpa 16.7±1.4 ka based on 10 Be-TCN 5.5-6.5
Table 2. Previous reported offsets and slip rates from the Boconó Fault
Dryas (OtD), Bølling, Older Dryas, Allerød, and Former glaciers probably covered the Mucubají
Younger Dryas (YD), the Oldest Dryas stadial valley surroundings since the LGM. From the
occurred between 17.50 and 14.60 ka BP (Blunier Mucubají valley towards the west to El Desecho
et al., 1998). Also cold climate conditions were moraine, ice mass reached down to 3500 m
determined in the central Mérida Andes during the whereas to the NE, towards Las Tapias moraine,
OtD; this period is locally named as El Caballo ice mass reached down to 3100 m. These altitude
Stadial, and it was dated at 16.5±0.3 ka BP based differences could be due to different river
on pollen inventory in fluvio-glacial sediments catchments humidity because cold climate
from Mesa del Caballo section (PED5 section; conditions were determined in the region until
Rull, 1998). The author determined temperatures around 19 ka.
around 7°C lower than today. This cold period
The Mucubají valley and El Desecho moraine
favored former glacier preservation upstream
have influences of the Chama River catchment
valley at elevations higher than 3550 m (Mu09-
whereas at the NE of the Mucubají valley, La
04, Mu09-05 and Mu09-06; Table 1) until former
Victoria, Los Zerpa and Las Tapias moraines are
glacier began deglaciation at this point around 17-
influenced by the Santo Domingo River
15 ka (ages modified from Carcaillet et al., 2013).
catchment. Assuming that during the MIS 2
This chronology agrees with previous radiocarbon
similar current topography prevailed due the
ages of a bog in a recessional moraine from
Andes uplift values represent an altitude
Stansell et al. (2005). In addition, at this age
difference between 14-100 m (based on
range, complete former glacier deglaciation has
Audemard and Audemard, 2002; Wesnousky et
occurred around 16 ka in the Gavidia valley, close
al., 2012; Guzmán et al., 2013), the region around
to Mucuchíes, SW of the Mucubají valley (Angel
the Mucubají valley was probably dry as present.
et al., 2016).
In this valley, arid plant cover is observed, in
Salgado-Labouriau et al. (1977) define the addition, the annual precipitation was 968 mm
Mucubají Cold phase at 12.65 ka BP based on (Mucubají station) (Monasterio and Reyes 1980;
paleoecological analysis of the Late Quaternary Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología
terrace from the Mucubají valley. This phase had de Venezuela INAMEH
an average temperature of 2.9°C lower than http://www.inameh.gob.ve.). In contrast, the Santo
current temperatures. Rull (2005) and Rull et al. Domingo River catchment is wetter because more
(2010) related the Younger Dryas (YD) to the abundant plant cover is observed. In addition,
cold period of the Mucubají phase. The YD is a based on the Santo Domingo meteorological
cold period defined in terrestrial record from station, the annual rainfall was 1359 mm at the
Denmark which occurred between 12.85 to 11.65 same period studied in the Mucubají station
Cal ka BP (Blunier et al., 1998). (Monasterio and Reyes 1980; Instituto Nacional
de Meteorología e Hidrología de Venezuela
Abruptly colder (average temperatures in the
INAMEH http://www.inameh.gob.ve.).
region 2.2-3.8°C lower than today) and drier
climate conditions occurred between 12.85 ka and Contribution to the central Mérida Andes
11.6 ka based on sediment analysis from Laguna neotectonic development
Los Anteojos and the Mucubají Lake (Carrillo et
At the northern strand of the Boconó Fault, offsets
al., 2008; Rull et al., 2010; Stansell et al., 2010).
around 45 m from the lateral El Desecho moraine
Whereas Carrillo et al. (2008) determined also an
(Figure 2a, 2b) were determined based on lateral
abrupt warming at the onset of the Holocene
moraine displacement on an aerial photograph
(~11.6 ka BP) based on magnetic susceptibility
(this study). In addition, El Desecho offset was
from sediments of the Mucubají Lake.
also determined in the field, and the offset value is
In the study region between El Desecho and Las around 34 m. Offsets values from this study agree
Tapias glacier advances, three moraines could be with those obtained for the same moraine from
formed during the YD period due to cold local Audemard et al. (1999) (Table 2).
climate conditions. These moraines are located in
El Desecho moraine age used to calculate Boconó
the Mucubají valley at elevations higher than 3800
Fault slip rates in Audemard et al. (1999) was
m a.s.l. These glacier advances were less
15±2 ka, this age is based on radiocarbon data
significant than those from the LGM and OtD-El
from a glacio-fluvial terrace in the Mucubají
Caballo Stadial. Exposure ages indicate
valley from Salgado-Laboriau et al. (1977).
deglaciation of these glacial landforms began at
However, the exposure age of El Desecho
around 12 ka.
moraine is 19.13±1.88
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
516–538.
Thanks to anonymous reviewers for their
SCHUBERT, C., VIVAS, L. (1993). El Cuaternario de la
comments, which significantly improve this
Cordillera de Mérida; Andes Venezolanos. Mérida:
contribution. Thanks Professor Maximiliano
Universidad de Los Andes/Fundación Polar.
Bezada and other colleagues who help us with
some paleoglaciological terms in English.