Detecting earliest shortening and deformation advance in thrust belt hinterlands: Example from the Colombian Andes

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 2012 Detecting earliest shortening and deformation advance in thrust belt hinterlands: Example from the Colombian Andes Mauricio Parra; Mauricio Parra * 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA2Instituto Colombiano del Petróleo–Ecopetrol S.A., P.O. Box 4185, Km 7 via Piedecuesta, Bucaramanga, Colombia *E-mail: maoparra25@hotmail.com. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andrés Mora; Andrés Mora 2Instituto Colombiano del Petróleo–Ecopetrol S.A., P.O. Box 4185, Km 7 via Piedecuesta, Bucaramanga, Colombia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Cristina Lopez; Cristina Lopez 3Vicepresidencia de Exploración–Ecopetrol S.A., Calle 37 No. 8-43, Edificio Colgas, Bogotá, Colombia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luis Ernesto Rojas; Luis Ernesto Rojas 3Vicepresidencia de Exploración–Ecopetrol S.A., Calle 37 No. 8-43, Edificio Colgas, Bogotá, Colombia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brian K. Horton Brian K. Horton 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2012) 40 (2): 175–178. https://doi.org/10.1130/G32519.1 Article history received: 01 Jun 2011 rev-recd: 23 Sep 2011 accepted: 28 Sep 2011 first online: 09 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 Mauricio Parra, Andrés Mora, Cristina Lopez, Luis Ernesto Rojas, Brian K. Horton; Detecting earliest shortening and deformation advance in thrust belt hinterlands: Example from the Colombian Andes. Geology 2012;; 40 (2): 175–178. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G32519.1 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Low-temperature thermochronometry and crosscutting relationships identified in newly released reflection seismic data reveal a previously unrecognized zone of early Andean shortening in Colombia. Apatite fission-track data and thermal modeling help define a 60–50 Ma onset of rapid exhumation along the present boundary between the Magdalena Valley hinterland basin and Eastern Cordillera thrust belt. Subsurface angular unconformities localized above fold-thrust structures indicate Paleogene deposition in a wedge-top depozone containing doubly vergent reverse faults. Retrodeformation of a cross section based on interpreted seismic profiles and thermochronometric data indicates Paleocene to Early Eocene shortening and exhumation occurred through simultaneous activation of east- and west-directed reverse faults across a broad orogenic front. Subsequent deformation focused along west-directed inversion structures. These relationships reveal that deformation operated in a disparate manner, rather than following a systematic progression from hinterland to foreland. The northern Andes also exemplify the potential effects of hinterland sediment loading and fault strength on deformation advance in contractional orogens. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.