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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

The complex geology of southwestern Mexico results from prolonged interaction between the North American and Farallon plates along an active subduction zone. This process led to crustal growth via oceanic lithosphere consumption, island arc accretion and batholith exhumation, forming great geological features like the Guerrero composite terrane. On the other hand, the Zihuatanejo subterrane, evolved into the Jalisco Block is now bounded by major grabens. Aeromagnetic data from the Mexican Geological Service (1962–2016) were used to map geological structures and contribute to the mineral exploration. Advanced magnetic processing and 3D modeling (VOXI Magnetic Vector Inversion) revealed the Jalisco Block’s complex structure, including Triassic basement, Jurassic–Cretaceous volcanics, and plutonic bodies such as the Puerto Vallarta batholith. Magnetic anomalies are related to intrusive bodies and mineralized zones, notably Peña Colorada (Fe), El Barqueño (Au), and La Huerta. Iron deposits are linked to intrusive volcanic–sedimentary contacts, while gold aligns with intrusive zones and observed magnetic maxima. A notable NW–SE magnetic low at 20 km depth suggests a reactivated back-arc basin and crustal fracture zone. These findings underscore aeromagnetic surveys’ value in both mineral exploration and geological interpretation.

Details

Title
The Shallow Structure of the Jalisco Block (Western Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt) Inferred from Aeromagnetic Data—Implications for Mineral Deposits
Author
Loera, Héctor López 1 ; Rosas-Elguera José 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Goguitchaichvili Avto 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C., San Luis Potosí 78216, Mexico 
 Laboratorio Interinstitucional de Magnetismo Natural, Centro Universitario de los Valles, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; [email protected] 
 Laboratorio Interinstitucional de Magnetismo Natural, Instituto de Geofísica Unidad Michoacán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; [email protected] 
First page
858
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
2075163X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3244048483
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.