scholarly journals Plate Coupling Mechanism of the Central Andes Subduction: Insight from Gravity Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
Rezene Mahatsente
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Continental Crust ◽  
Gravity Model ◽  
Central Andes ◽  
High Density ◽  
Seismic Gap ◽  
Coupling Mechanism ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
Plate Coupling

Abstract The Central Andes experienced major earthquake (Mw =8.2) in April 2014 in a region where the giant 1877 earthquake (Mw=8.8) occurred. The 2014 Iquique earthquake did not break the entire seismic gap zones as previously predicted. Geodetic and seismological observations indicate a highly coupled plate interface. To assess the locking mechanism of plate interfaces beneath Central Andes, a 2.5-D gravity model of the crust and upper mantle structure of the central segment of the subduction zone was developed based on terrestrial and satellite gravity data from the LAGEOS, GRACE and GOCE satellite missions. The densities and major structures of the gravity model are constrained by velocity models from receiver function and seismic tomography. The gravity model defined details of crustal and slab structure necessary to understand the cause of megathrust asperity generation. The densities of the upper and lower crust in the fore-arc (2970 – 3000 kg m−3) are much higher than the average density of continental crust. The high density bodies are interpreted as plutonic or ophiolitic structures emplaced onto continental crust. The plutonic or ophiolitic structures may be exerting pressure on the Nazca slab and lock the plate interfaces beneath the Central Andes subduction zone. Thus, normal pressure exerted by high density fore-arc structures and buoyancy force may control plate coupling in the Central Andes. However, this interpretation does not exclude other possible factors controlling plate coupling in the Central Andes. Seafloor roughness and variations in pore-fluid pressure in sediments along subduction channel can affect plate coupling and asperity generation.

scholarly journals Lithospheric Structure of the Central Andes Forearc from Gravity Data Modeling: Implication for Plate Coupling

Lithosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Greg Gushurst ◽  
Rezene Mahatsente
Keyword(s):  
Continental Crust ◽  
Buoyancy Force ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Central Andes ◽  
High Density ◽  
Gravity Models ◽  
The West ◽  
Nazca Plate ◽  
Plate Coupling ◽  
Nazca Ridge

Abstract Geodetic and seismological data indicates that the Central Andes subduction zone is highly coupled. To understand the plate locking mechanism within the Central Andes, we developed 2.5-D gravity models of the lithosphere and assessed the region’s isostatic state. The densities within the gravity models are based on satellite and surface gravity data and constrained by previous tomographic studies. The gravity models indicate a high-density (~2940 kg m-3) forearc structure in the overriding South American continental lithosphere, which is higher than the average density of the continental crust. This structure produces an anomalous pressure (20-40 MPa) on the subducting Nazca plate, contributing to intraplate coupling within the Central Andes. The anomalous lithostatic pressure and buoyancy force may be controlling plate coupling and asperity generation in the Central Andes. The high-density forearc structure could be a batholith or ophiolite emplaced onto the continental crust. The isostatic state of the Central Andes and Nazca plate is assessed based on residual topography (difference between observed and isostatic topography). The West-Central Andes and Nazca ridge have ~0.78 km of residual topography, indicating undercompensation. The crustal thickness beneath the West-Central Andes may not be sufficient to isostatically support the observed topography. This residual topography may be partially supported by small-scale convective cells in the mantle wedge. The residual topography in the Nazca ridge may be attributed to density differences between the subducting Nazca slab and the Nazca ridge. The high density of the subducted Nazca slab has a downward buoyancy force, while the less dense Nazca ridge provides an upward buoyancy force. These two forces may effectively raise the Nazca ridge to its current-day elevation.

scholarly journals Up the down escalator: the exhumation of (ultra)-high pressure terranes during on-going subduction

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 745-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Warren
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Continental Crust ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Crustal Material ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Ultra High Pressure ◽  
Tectonic Environment ◽  
Tectonic Style ◽  
Weak Material

Abstract. The exhumation of high and ultra-high pressure rocks is ubiquitous in Phanerozoic orogens created during continental collisions, and is common in many ocean-ocean and ocean-continent subduction zone environments. Three different tectonic environments have previously been reported, which exhume deeply buried material by different mechanisms and at different rates. However it is becoming increasingly clear that no single mechanism dominates in any particular tectonic environment, and the mechanism may change in time and space within the same subduction zone. In order for buoyant continental crust to subduct, it must remain attached to a stronger and denser substrate, but in order to exhume, it must detach (and therefore at least locally weaken) and be initially buoyant. Denser oceanic crust subducts more readily than more buoyant continental crust but exhumation must be assisted by entrainment within more buoyant and weak material such as serpentinite or driven by the exhumation of structurally lower continental crustal material. Weakening mechanisms responsible for the detachment of crust at depth include strain, hydration, melting, grain size reduction and the development of foliation. These may act locally or may act on the bulk of the subducted material. Metamorphic reactions, metastability and the composition of the subducted crust all affect buoyancy and overall strength. Subduction zones change in style both in time and space, and exhumation mechanisms change to reflect the tectonic style and overall force regime within the subduction zone. Exhumation events may be transient and occur only once in a particular subduction zone or orogen, or may be more continuous or occur multiple times.

Relative roles of source composition, fractional crystallization and crustal contamination in the petrogenesis of Andean volcanic rocks

1984 ◽  
Vol 310 (1514) ◽  
pp. 675-692 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Continental Crust ◽  
Fractional Crystallization ◽  
Magma Mixing ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Crustal Contamination ◽  
Oceanic Lithosphere ◽  
Alkaline Basalt ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Heterogeneous Mantle

There are well established differences in the chemical and isotopic characteristics of the calc-alkaline basalt—andesite-dacite-rhyolite association of the northern (n.v.z.), central (c.v.z.) and southern volcanic zones (s.v.z.) of the South American Andes. Volcanic rocks of the alkaline basalt-trachyte association occur within and to the east of these active volcanic zones. The chemical and isotopic characteristics of the n.v.z. basaltic andesites and andesites and the s.v.z. basalts, basaltic andesites and andesites are consistent with derivation by fractional crystallization of basaltic parent magmas formed by partial melting of the asthenospheric mantle wedge containing components from subducted oceanic lithosphere. Conversely, the alkaline lavas are derived from basaltic parent magmas formed from mantle of ‘within-plate’ character. Recent basaltic andesites from the Cerro Galan volcanic centre to the SE of the c.v.z. are derived from mantle containing both subduction zone and within-plate components, and have experienced assimilation and fractional crystallization (a.f.c.) during uprise through the continental crust. The c.v.z. basaltic andesites are derived from mantle containing subduction-zone components, probably accompanied by a.f.c. within the continental crust. Some c.v.z. lavas and pyroclastic rocks show petrological and geochemical evidence for magma mixing. The petrogenesis of the c.v.z. lavas is therefore a complex process in which magmas derived from heterogeneous mantle experience assimilation, fractional crystallization, and magma mixing during uprise through the continental crust.

scholarly journals Illuminating subduction zone rheological properties in the wake of a giant earthquake

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. eaax6720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan R. Weiss ◽  
Qiang Qiu ◽  
Sylvain Barbot ◽  
Tim J. Wright ◽  
James H. Foster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Surface Strain ◽  
Postseismic Deformation ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Plate Convergence ◽  
Maule Earthquake ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dependent Viscosity

Deformation associated with plate convergence at subduction zones is accommodated by a complex system involving fault slip and viscoelastic flow. These processes have proven difficult to disentangle. The 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule earthquake occurred close to the Chilean coast within a dense network of continuously recording Global Positioning System stations, which provide a comprehensive history of surface strain. We use these data to assemble a detailed picture of a structurally controlled megathrust fault frictional patchwork and the three-dimensional rheological and time-dependent viscosity structure of the lower crust and upper mantle, all of which control the relative importance of afterslip and viscoelastic relaxation during postseismic deformation. These results enhance our understanding of subduction dynamics including the interplay of localized and distributed deformation during the subduction zone earthquake cycle.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document