Tectonics of the Nazca-Antarctic plate boundary

Sandra Anderson-Fontana*, Joseph F. Engeln, Paul Lundgren, Roger L. Larson, Seth Stein

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have constructed a new bathymetric chart of part of the Chile transform system, based mainly on an R/V "Endeavor" survey from 100°W to its intersection with the East Ridge of the Juan Fernandez microplate at 34°30′S, 109°15′W. A generally continuous lineated trend can be followed through the entire region, with the transform valley being relatively narrow and well-defined from 109°W to approximately 104°30′W. The fracture zone then widens to the east, with at least two probable en echelon offsets to the south at 104° and 102°W. Six new strike-slip mechanisms along the Chile Transform and one normal fault mechanism near the northern end of the Chile Rise, inverted together with other plate motion data from the eastern portion of the boundary, produce a new best fit Euler pole for the Nazca-Antarctic plate pair, providing tighter constraints on the relative plate motions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)46-56
Number of pages11
JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters
Volume86
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1987

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tectonics of the Nazca-Antarctic plate boundary'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this