Development of a continental forearc: A Cenozoic example from the Central Andes, northern Chile

Research Article| April 01, 2000 Development of a continental forearc: A Cenozoic example from the Central Andes, northern Chile Adrian J. Hartley; Adrian J. Hartley 1Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geoffrey May; Geoffrey May 1Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Guillermo Chong; Guillermo Chong 2Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peter Turner; Peter Turner 3School of Earth Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stephanie J. Kape; Stephanie J. Kape 3School of Earth Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elizabeth J. Jolley Elizabeth J. Jolley 4BP Amoco, Farburn Industrial Estate, Aberdeen AB21 7PB, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Adrian J. Hartley 1Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK Geoffrey May 1Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK Guillermo Chong 2Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile Peter Turner 3School of Earth Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK Stephanie J. Kape 3School of Earth Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK Elizabeth J. Jolley 4BP Amoco, Farburn Industrial Estate, Aberdeen AB21 7PB, UK Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 29 Jun 1999 Revision Received: 26 Oct 1999 Accepted: 11 Jan 2000 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2000) 28 (4): 331–334. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<331:DOACFA>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 29 Jun 1999 Revision Received: 26 Oct 1999 Accepted: 11 Jan 2000 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Adrian J. Hartley, Geoffrey May, Guillermo Chong, Peter Turner, Stephanie J. Kape, Elizabeth J. Jolley; Development of a continental forearc: A Cenozoic example from the Central Andes, northern Chile. Geology 2000;; 28 (4): 331–334. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<331:DOACFA>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract In order to understand the response of a continental forearc to changes in subduction-zone geodynamics, we constructed a high-resolution chronostratigraphic cross section across the Central Andean forearc of northern Chile (21°–24°S). The tectono-stratigraphic development of the forearc differs from established models. No relationship was found between changes in rate of relative plate convergence and amount and style of deformation. Forearc response to continual compression since the Oligocene has been uplift and segmentation into discrete tectono-stratigraphic zones. From west to east, these zones are the extensional Coastal Cordillera, the extensional and/or transtensional Central depression, and the transpressional and/or compressional Precordillera-Preandean depression. Each area has recorded almost continuous sedimentation from Oligocene (?Eocene) time to the present day. Accommodation space has been generated by basin-margin uplift rather than active subsidence. We propose a model in which uplift of the leading edge of the South American plate is driven by subcrustal accretion of material removed at the trench by subduction erosion. Uplift and subduction erosion result in the trenchward gravitational collapse of the plate edge. The tectono-stratigraphic complexity exhibited within the Central Andean forearc is likely to be representative of Cordilleran-type margins and would be difficult to recognize in an ancient continental forearc. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.