Plant Taphonomy and Paleoenvironment of the Bahía Laura Complex, Middle–Late Jurassic, at the Laguna Flecha Negra Locality (Santa Cruz Province, Argentina)

Taphonomic studies were carried out at Laguna Flecha Negra locality (Bahía Laura Complex, Middle–Late Jurassic), Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Sedimentary facies and preservational styles defined to recognize plant taphofacies in the studied sequence. Eleven identified sources within a volcanic geothermal system are proposed. Plant remains of autochthonous para-autochthonous origin best preservation was found distal siliceous hot spring (sinter) systems. Lateral vertical taphonomic differences These due changes sedimentary input distance fluids. Results enable reconstruction depositional history this region Deseado Massif geological Province. We infer formation hot-spring that subsequently destroyed by phreatic eruption process margin an andesitic effusive dome partially reworked fall pyroclastic subfacies. After destruction system, fluvial lacustrine epiclastic subfacies developed preserving community typical Middle-Late Jurassic Gondwana. Later, activity produced subfacies, with thick ash-fall flow deposits from different separated time gap promoted fossilization situ forest. these communities allowed chain events how processes have influenced flora Patagonia, thus contributing understanding paleoecology province.