Sediment loading at the southern Chilean trench and its tectonic implications.

Contreras-Reyes, Eduardo , Jara, Jorge, Maksymowicz, Andrei and Weinrebe, Wilhelm (2013) Sediment loading at the southern Chilean trench and its tectonic implications. Journal of Geodynamics, 66 . pp. 134-145. DOI 10.1016/j.jog.2013.02.009.

[thumbnail of jog.pdf] Text
jog.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (3MB) | Contact

Supplementary data:

Abstract

Non erosive margins are characterized by heavily sedimented trenches which obscure the morphological expression of the outer rise; a forebulge formed by the bending of the subducting oceanic lithosphere seaward of the trench. Depending on the flexural rigidity (D) of the oceanic lithosphere and the thickness of the trench sedimentary fill, sediment loading can affect the lithospheric downward deflection in the vicinity of the trench and hence the amount of sediment subducted. We used seismic and bathymetric data acquired off south central Chile, from which representative flexural rigidities are estimated and the downward deflection of the oceanic Nazca plate is studied. By flexural modeling we found that efficient sediment subduction preferentially occurs in weak oceanic lithosphere (low D), whereas wide accretionary prisms are usually formed in rigid oceanic lithosphere (high D). In addition, well developed forebulges in strong oceanic plates behaves as barrier to seaward transportation of turbidites, whereas the absence of a forebulge in weak oceanic plates facilitates seaward turbidite transportation for distances >200 km.

Document Type: Article
Additional Information: WOS:000318381100013
Keywords: Oceanic lithosphere; Sediment loading; Outer rise; Trench; Accretionary prism; Subduction channel; Valdivia fracture zone; Mocha Block; SUBDUCTION ZONES; FORE-ARC; HEAT-FLOW; MARGIN; AGE; FLEXURE; BASINS; REGION; DEPTH; RIDGE
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-GDY Marine Geodynamics
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Elsevier
Projects: FONDECYT
Date Deposited: 04 Jun 2013 09:42
Last Modified: 28 Mar 2018 12:54
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/21357

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item