Late Pleistocene and Holocene geomorphologic evolution of Laguna Las Vueltas area, Tierra del Fuego (Argentina)

Laguna Las Vueltas (LLV) area retains the morphology of a late Pleistocene watershed that was flooded during a mid-Holocene marine transgression. Sediments associated with a paleosol dated at 22,582 cal yr BP reflect subaerial exposure of the area prior to the submergence during the marine transgression. This transgression produced an extensive tidal flat near the mouth of the former LLV watershed by 7,477 cal yr BP. Subsequent decoupling of the Las Vueltas valley from the sea occurred through the growth of a baymouth barrier and a beach-ridge plain to the east. This decoupling turned the lagoon into a pan environment in which subsequent lake-level fluctuations were controlled by climate. A lunette dune developed at the pans in the former lagoon, providing a narrow corridor where humans trapped, killed and processed guanacos as early as 3,402 cal yr BP. Changes in aeolian sedimentation hint at increased aridity during the past 500 years.