Tectonic evolution of the northern Cocos plate

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 1976 Tectonic evolution of the northern Cocos plate Walter S. Lynn; Walter S. Lynn 1School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brian T. R. Lewis Brian T. R. Lewis 2Department of Oceanography and Geophysics Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Walter S. Lynn 1School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Brian T. R. Lewis 2Department of Oceanography and Geophysics Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1976) 4 (12): 718–722. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1976)4<718:TEOTNC>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 Walter S. Lynn, Brian T. R. Lewis; Tectonic evolution of the northern Cocos plate. Geology 1976;; 4 (12): 718–722. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1976)4<718:TEOTNC>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 Several features on the Cocos plate appear to be anomalous or of unclear origin. Specifically, the eastern extension of the Orozco Fracture Zone near lat 15°N has a northeast trend, which differs significantly from the nearly east-west motion of the Pacific and Cocos plates. Moreover, the Tehuantepec Ridge has a similar northeast strike and separates the deep Guatemala Basin on its southeast side from shallower crust to the northwest.The origin of these features can be adequately described by a small change in Cocos-Pacific plate motion and a 20° reorientation of the East Pacific Rise. This reorientation is strongly substantiated by a "fanning" of magnetic anomaly lineations over the Cocos plate between the Orozco Fracture Zone and the Tehuantepec Ridge. The reconstruction assumes that the Tehuantepec Ridge is a relict fracture zone; this interpretation is supported by recent gravity models across the ridge. The Guatemala Basin is the result of older crust formed prior to a ridge-axis jump (Clipperton Ridge to East Pacific Rise) and the reorientation of the East Pacific Rise. 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.