Space geodetic observations of Nazca-South America convergence across the central Andes

Edmundo Norabuena, Lisa Leffler-Griffin, Ailin Mao, Timothy Dixon, Seth Stein*, I. Selwyn Sacks, Leonidas Ocola, Michael Ellis

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

223 Scopus citations

Abstract

Space geodetic data recorded rates and directions of motion across the convergent boundary zone between the oceanic Nazca and continental South American plates in Peru and Bolivia. Roughly half of the overall convergence, about 30 to 40 millimeters per year, accumulated on the locked plate interface and can be released in future earthquakes. About 10 to 15 millimeters per year of crustal shortening occurred inland at the sub-Andean foreland fold and thrust belt, indicating that the Andes are continuing to build. Little (5 to 10 millimeters per year) along-trench motion of coastal forearc slivers was observed, despite the oblique convergence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)358-362
Number of pages5
JournalScience
Volume279
Issue number5349
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 16 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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