Paleoecological and paleoenvironmental implications of a high-density Chondrites association in slope deposits of the Neogene Santo Domingo Formation, Valdivia, south-central Chile

neogene marine strata of the santo domingo formation crop out in the vicinity of valdivia, south-central chile (40°s, 73°w). the succession is characterized by dark-gray sandy siltstone with abundant chondrites isp. the occurrence of this ichnotaxon and lower-bathyal benthic foraminifers is consistent with a slope depositional environment. the abundance of chondrites and the low ichnodiversity reveal poorly oxygenated bottom waters. the santo domingo formation most likely accumulated in fault-controlled, intraslope silled minibasins, which werw formed during a major event of neogene subsidence of the chilean margin.