On the origin of the Cocos-Nazca spreading center

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1981 On the origin of the Cocos-Nazca spreading center Rinus Wortel; Rinus Wortel 1Vening Meinesz Laboratory, Instituut voor Aardwetenschappen, University of Utrecht, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sierd Cloetingh Sierd Cloetingh 1Vening Meinesz Laboratory, Instituut voor Aardwetenschappen, University of Utrecht, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Rinus Wortel 1Vening Meinesz Laboratory, Instituut voor Aardwetenschappen, University of Utrecht, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Netherlands Sierd Cloetingh 1Vening Meinesz Laboratory, Instituut voor Aardwetenschappen, University of Utrecht, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Netherlands Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1981) 9 (9): 425–430. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1981)9<425:OTOOTC>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Rinus Wortel, Sierd Cloetingh; On the origin of the Cocos-Nazca spreading center. Geology 1981;; 9 (9): 425–430. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1981)9<425:OTOOTC>2.0.CO;2 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 To investigate the mechanism underlying the break-up of the Farallon plate into the Cocos plate and Nazca plate, we analyze the state of stress in the Farallon plate at about 30 m.y. B.P., just prior to the fragmentation. To this purpose we use finite element methods and a reconstruction of regional plate boundaries appropriate for 30 m.y. B.P. A key role in the model is played by the dependence of two important plate-tectonics forces (slab pull and ridge push) on the age of oceanic lithosphere. The results show a highly tensional stress field, with maximum principal stresses of 5 to 6 kbar. North-south tension in the vicinity of present-day Panama is proposed to have been the cause for the fragmentation of the Farallon plate and the inception of spreading along the new Cocos-Nazca plate boundary. Because the kind of plate interaction that gave rise to the high level of tensional stresses in the Farallon plate is not restricted to the area of this study, the proposed mechanism seems to shed light on the problem of fragmentation of oceanic plates in general. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.