Climatic forcing of asymmetric orogenic evolution in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 2008 Climatic forcing of asymmetric orogenic evolution in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia Andrés Mora; Andrés Mora † 1Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Str 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany †E-mail: andresmora@googlemail.com Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mauricio Parra; Mauricio Parra 1Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Str 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Manfred R. Strecker; Manfred R. Strecker 1Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Str 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Edward R. Sobel; Edward R. Sobel 1Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Str 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Henry Hooghiemstra; Henry Hooghiemstra 2Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), Paleoecology and Landscape Ecology, Faculty of Science, University Amsterdam, Kruislaan 318, 1098 SN Amsterdam, Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Vladimir Torres; Vladimir Torres 2Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), Paleoecology and Landscape Ecology, Faculty of Science, University Amsterdam, Kruislaan 318, 1098 SN Amsterdam, Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jaime Vallejo Jaramillo Jaime Vallejo Jaramillo 3Petrobras-Colombia, Carrera 7, No 71-21, Torre B. Edificio Bancafé, Bogotá, Colombia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2008) 120 (7-8): 930–949. https://doi.org/10.1130/B26186.1 Article history received: 26 Jan 2007 rev-recd: 13 Nov 2007 accepted: 14 Nov 2007 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Andrés Mora, Mauricio Parra, Manfred R. Strecker, Edward R. Sobel, Henry Hooghiemstra, Vladimir Torres, Jaime Vallejo Jaramillo; Climatic forcing of asymmetric orogenic evolution in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. GSA Bulletin 2008;; 120 (7-8): 930–949. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B26186.1 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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract New apatite fission-track data, paleoelevation estimates from paleobotany, and recently acquired geological data from the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia document the onset of increased exhumation rates in the northeastern Andes at ca. 3 Ma. The Eastern Cordillera forms an efficient orographic barrier that intercepts moisture-laden winds sourced in the Amazon lowlands, leading to high rainfall and erosion gradients across the eastern flank of the range. In contrast, the drier leeward western flank is characterized by lower rates of deformation and exhumation. In light of the geological evolution of the Eastern Cordillera, the combination of these data sets suggests that the orographic barrier reached a critical elevation between ca. 6 and ca. 3 Ma, which ultimately led to protracted, yet more focused erosion along the eastern flank. Sequentially restored structural cross sections across the eastern flank of the Eastern Cordillera indicate that shortening rates also have increased during the past 3 Ma. From fission-track and structural cross-section balancing, we infer that accelerated exhumation led to increasing tectonic rates on the eastern flank, creating a pronounced topographic and structural asymmetry in the Eastern Cordillera. The tectonic and climatic evolution of this orogen thus makes it a prime example of the importance of climatic forcing on tectonic processes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.