Push-pull driving of the Central America Forearc in the context of the Cocos-Caribbean-North America triple junction.

ABSTRACT: Different kinematic models have been proposed for the triple junction between the North American, Cocos and Caribbean plates. The two most commonly accepted hypotheses on its driving mechanism are (a) the North American drag of the forearc and (b) the Cocos Ridge subduction push. We present an updated GPS velocity field which is analyzed together with earthquake focal mechanisms and regional relief. The two hypotheses have been used to make kinematic predictions that are tested against the available data. An obliquity analysis is also presented to discuss the potential role of slip partitioning as driving mechanism. The North American drag model presents a better fit to the observations, although the Cocos Ridge push model explains the data in Costa Rica and Southern Nicaragua. Both mechan

SUBMITTER: Alvarez-Gomez JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6671955 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature