Carbon dioxide diffuse emission at the Tolhuaca hydrothermal system (Chile) controlled by tectonics and topography

The Tolhuaca hydrothermal system is one of the few attested geothermal resources in Chile. While recent investigations provided some insights into depth and temperature reservoirs chemical mineralogical evolution system, little still known about CO2 degassing local shallow control fluid pathways. Here, we document soil distributions southern part at its northern fumaroles, provide a first estimate total release. surveyed area responsible for emission up to 30 t d−1. Hydrothermal emissions (~ 4–27 d−1) are mostly restricted thermal manifestations or generally distributed along NNW trending lineaments, sharing same orientation as volcanic vents springs fumaroles. fluxes, fumaroles encountered topographic lows, close vicinity streams often clay-rich pyroclastic units, highlighting relation between landscape activity system. We suggest that glacial unloading incision stream inside units have likely enhanced locally permeability, creating preferential pathway migration deeper surface. As several systems Andes found on flank volcanoes hosting glaciers, propose they could had similar development