In April 2018, the members of the subproject C2 successfully completed the second field trip to the westernmost part of the Atacama Desert. While fieldwork in 2017 dealt with coastal alluvial fans between Iquique and Mejillones, in total 4 alluvial fans distributed between Mejillones and Taltal were studied intensely in 2018.

The primary aim was to get insights into the timing and characteristics of transport and deposition along the western flank of the north-south running Coastal Cordillera. In order to establish a detailed geochronological framework of the alluvial fan systems, sampling was carried out for luminescence, electron spin resonance, cosmogenic nuclide and U/Th dating. In addition, at some alluvial fan surfaces, tephra samples could be collected to provide a potential independent age control. Furthermore, geomorphological mapping, and ground-based as well as aerial surveys were carried to understand the depositional history of the alluvial fans.