Space-time patterns of Cenozoic arc volcanism in central Mexico: From the Sierra Madre Occidental to the Mexican Volcanic Belt

Research Article| April 01, 1999 Space-time patterns of Cenozoic arc volcanism in central Mexico: From the Sierra Madre Occidental to the Mexican Volcanic Belt Luca Ferrari; Luca Ferrari 1Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 70-296 Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 México, Distrito Federal, México Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Margarita López-Martínez; Margarita López-Martínez 2Departamento de Geología, Centro de Investigación Cientifica y Enseñanza Superior de Ensenada, Apdo. Postal 2732, C.P. 22860, Ensenada, Baja California, México Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gerardo Aguirre-Díaz; Gerardo Aguirre-Díaz 3Unidad de Ciencias de la Tierra, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Apdo. Postal 1-742, C.P. 76001 Querétaro, Querétaro, México Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gerardo Carrasco-Núñez Gerardo Carrasco-Núñez 3Unidad de Ciencias de la Tierra, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Apdo. Postal 1-742, C.P. 76001 Querétaro, Querétaro, México Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Luca Ferrari 1Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 70-296 Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 México, Distrito Federal, México Margarita López-Martínez 2Departamento de Geología, Centro de Investigación Cientifica y Enseñanza Superior de Ensenada, Apdo. Postal 2732, C.P. 22860, Ensenada, Baja California, México Gerardo Aguirre-Díaz 3Unidad de Ciencias de la Tierra, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Apdo. Postal 1-742, C.P. 76001 Querétaro, Querétaro, México Gerardo Carrasco-Núñez 3Unidad de Ciencias de la Tierra, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Apdo. Postal 1-742, C.P. 76001 Querétaro, Querétaro, México Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1999) 27 (4): 303–306. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0303:STPOCA>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Luca Ferrari, Margarita López-Martínez, Gerardo Aguirre-Díaz, Gerardo Carrasco-Núñez; Space-time patterns of Cenozoic arc volcanism in central Mexico: From the Sierra Madre Occidental to the Mexican Volcanic Belt. Geology 1999;; 27 (4): 303–306. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0303:STPOCA>2.3.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 A histogram of 778 isotopic ages of magmatic rocks younger than Eocene in central Mexico shows a multimodal distribution with peaks at about 30 Ma, 23 Ma, 10 Ma, and 5 Ma. The sample suite displays systematic spatial variations with age that likely reflect the protracted transition from the north-northwest–trending arc of the Sierra Madre Occidental to the east-west–trending Mexican Volcanic Belt. The reorientation of the arc is accompanied by a change in the dominant composition of the products from silicic ignimbrites and rhyolites to andesitic and basaltic lavas. The observed transition is related to the Miocene reorganization of the subduction system following the cessation of subduction off Baja California and the eastward motion of the Caribbean–Farallon–North America triple junction along the southeastern margin of Mexico. Our data support an early–middle Miocene age for the initiation of subhorizontal subduction in southern Mexico and confirm that the locus of arc volcanism was primarily controlled by the geometry of plate boundaries and the thermal structure of the subducting slab. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.