The Late Jurassic to present evolution of the Andean margin: Drivers and the geological record

Abstract

Abstract Uncommonly long‐lived subduction and variable plate geometry along the South American Andean Plate margin resulted in diverse relationships between magmatic flux and extensional and contractional deformation, as recorded by the overriding continental plate. Convergence velocities, absolute overriding plate velocities, and subducting slab ages were resolved along the trench from 170 Ma to the present using a recently developed kinematic global plate model to identify any relationship between subduction conditions, deformation style, and magmatic features in the overriding plate. Key correlations reflect the dependence of macroscopic crustal strain style on subduction mechanism and relative plate vectors. Extensional back‐arc basins involving mafic/oceanic crust developed only when the overriding plate velocity of South America was directed away from the trench and the modeled age of the subducting slab was older than 50 Myr. The development of fold and thrust belts, and uplift of major plateaus, was accompanied by trench normal convergence velocities in excess of 4 cm/yr. Parameters investigated in this study revealed no correlation with the timing of major magmatic events, nor was any correlation observed with the structural style of fold and thrust belts.