Geodynamics of the northern Andes: Subductions and intracontinental deformation (Colombia)

New regional seismological data acquired in Colombia during 1993 to 1996 and tectonic field data from the Eastern Cordillera (EC) permit a reexamination of the complex geodynamics of northwestern South America. The effect of the accretion of the Baudó‐Panama oceanic arc, which began 12 Myr ago, is highlighted in connection with mountain building in the EC. The Istmina and Ibagué faults in the south and the Santa Marta‐Bucaramanga fault to the northeast limit an E‐SE moving continental wedge. Progressive indentation of the wedge is absorbed along reverse faults located in the foothills of the Cordilleras (northward of 5°N) and transpressive deformation in the Santander Massif. Crustal seismicity in Colombia is accurately correlated with active faults showing neotectonic morphological evidences. Intermediate seismicity allows to identify a N‐NE trending subduction segment beneath the EC, which plunges toward the E‐SE. This subduction is interpreted as a remnant of the paleo‐Caribbean plateau (PCP) as suggested by geological and tomographic profiles. The PCP shows a low‐angle subduction northward of 5.2°N and is limited southward by a major E‐W transpressive shear zone. Normal oceanic subduction of the Nazca plate (NP) ends abruptly at the southern limit of the Baudó Range. Northward, the NP subducts beneath the Chocó block, overlapping the southern part of the PCP. Cenozoic shortening in the EC estimated from a balanced section is ∼120 km. Stress analysis of fault slip data in the EC (northward of 4°N), indicates an ∼E‐SE orientation of σ1 in agreement with the PCP subduction direction. Northward, near Bucaramanga, two stress solutions were observed: (1) a late Andean N80°E compression and (2) an early Andean NW‐SE compression.