Chaitenia

Chaitenia is a distinct fragment of Earth's crust in southern Chile. Rocks of Chaitenia represents an ancient island arc that existed next to Patagonia which became eventually accreted to it.[1] The accretion of Chaitenia to Patagonia occurred in the Devonian period (c. 400-360 million years ago) as inferred from an event where rocks were put under pressure, deformed and heated dated to that period.[1] After merging into Patagonia, accretionary complexes developed west of it, meaning Chaitenia constituted a backstop.[1] Chaitenia is not thought to extend beyond the Huincul lineament to the north, beyond which lies the Chilenia terrane.[1]