GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in Ecuador
GNSS observations constitute the main tool to reveal Earth’s crustal deformations in order to improve the identification of geological hazards. The Ecuadorian Andes were formed by Nazca Plate subduction below the Pacific margin of the South American Plate. Active tectonic-related deformation continu...
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/12/4003 |
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| author | José Tamay Jesús Galindo-Zaldivar John Soto Antonio J. Gil |
| author_facet | José Tamay Jesús Galindo-Zaldivar John Soto Antonio J. Gil |
| author_sort | José Tamay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | GNSS observations constitute the main tool to reveal Earth’s crustal deformations in order to improve the identification of geological hazards. The Ecuadorian Andes were formed by Nazca Plate subduction below the Pacific margin of the South American Plate. Active tectonic-related deformation continues to present, and it is constrained by 135 GPS stations of the RENAGE and REGME deployed by the IGM in Ecuador (1995.4–2011.0). They show a regional ENE displacement, increasing towards the N, of the deformed North Andean Sliver in respect to the South American Plate and Inca Sliver relatively stable areas. The heterogeneous displacements towards the NNE of the North Andean Sliver are interpreted as consequences of the coupling of the Carnegie Ridge in the subduction zone. The Dolores–Guayaquil megashear constitutes its southeastern boundary and includes the dextral to normal transfer Pallatanga fault, that develops the Guayaquil Gulf. This fault extends northeastward along the central part of the Cordillera Real, in relay with the reverse dextral Cosanga–Chingual fault and finally followed by the reverse dextral Sub-Andean fault zone. While the Ecuadorian margin and Andes is affected by ENE–WSW shortening, the easternmost Manabí Basin located in between the Cordillera Costanera and the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes, underwent moderate ENE–WSW extension and constitutes an active fore-arc basin of the Nazca plate subduction. The integration of the GPS and seismic data evidences that highest rates of deformation and the highest tectonic hazards in Ecuador are linked: to the subduction zone located in the coastal area; to the Pallatanga transfer fault; and to the Eastern Andes Sub-Andean faults. |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:33:35Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
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| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-c9897d273ee04603993091284f19a2412023-11-21T23:31:00ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-06-012112400310.3390/s21124003GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in EcuadorJosé Tamay0Jesús Galindo-Zaldivar1John Soto2Antonio J. Gil3Departamento de Geociencias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Apartado Postal, Loja 11-01-608, EcuadorDepartamento de Geodinámica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartamento de Geociencias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Apartado Postal, Loja 11-01-608, EcuadorDepartamento de Ingeniería Cartográfica, Geodésica y Fotogrametría, Campus de las Lagunillas, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, SpainGNSS observations constitute the main tool to reveal Earth’s crustal deformations in order to improve the identification of geological hazards. The Ecuadorian Andes were formed by Nazca Plate subduction below the Pacific margin of the South American Plate. Active tectonic-related deformation continues to present, and it is constrained by 135 GPS stations of the RENAGE and REGME deployed by the IGM in Ecuador (1995.4–2011.0). They show a regional ENE displacement, increasing towards the N, of the deformed North Andean Sliver in respect to the South American Plate and Inca Sliver relatively stable areas. The heterogeneous displacements towards the NNE of the North Andean Sliver are interpreted as consequences of the coupling of the Carnegie Ridge in the subduction zone. The Dolores–Guayaquil megashear constitutes its southeastern boundary and includes the dextral to normal transfer Pallatanga fault, that develops the Guayaquil Gulf. This fault extends northeastward along the central part of the Cordillera Real, in relay with the reverse dextral Cosanga–Chingual fault and finally followed by the reverse dextral Sub-Andean fault zone. While the Ecuadorian margin and Andes is affected by ENE–WSW shortening, the easternmost Manabí Basin located in between the Cordillera Costanera and the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes, underwent moderate ENE–WSW extension and constitutes an active fore-arc basin of the Nazca plate subduction. The integration of the GPS and seismic data evidences that highest rates of deformation and the highest tectonic hazards in Ecuador are linked: to the subduction zone located in the coastal area; to the Pallatanga transfer fault; and to the Eastern Andes Sub-Andean faults.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/12/4003GPS networksactive tectonicstransfer faultsEcuadorian Andesfore-arc basin |
| spellingShingle | José Tamay Jesús Galindo-Zaldivar John Soto Antonio J. Gil GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in Ecuador Sensors GPS networks active tectonics transfer faults Ecuadorian Andes fore-arc basin |
| title | GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in Ecuador |
| title_full | GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in Ecuador |
| title_fullStr | GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in Ecuador |
| title_full_unstemmed | GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in Ecuador |
| title_short | GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in Ecuador |
| title_sort | gnss constraints to active tectonic deformations of the south american continental margin in ecuador |
| topic | GPS networks active tectonics transfer faults Ecuadorian Andes fore-arc basin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/12/4003 |
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