The eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia: An example of multiple factors controlling structural styles and active tectonics (2010)

Research Article| November 01, 2010 The eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia: An example of multiple factors controlling structural styles and active tectonics Andrés Mora; Andrés Mora † 1Institut für Geowissenschaften. Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Strasse 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany2Ecopetrol-ICP, Km7-Autopista Bucaramanga-Piedecuesta, Piedecuesta, Santander, Colombia †E-mail: andres.mora@ecopetrol.com.co Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mauricio Parra; Mauricio Parra 1Institut für Geowissenschaften. Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Strasse 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Manfred R. Strecker; Manfred R. Strecker 1Institut für Geowissenschaften. Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Strasse 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Edward R. Sobel; Edward R. Sobel 1Institut für Geowissenschaften. Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Strasse 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gerold Zeilinger; Gerold Zeilinger 1Institut für Geowissenschaften. Universität Potsdam, Karl Liebnecht-Strasse 24, D14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Carlos Jaramillo; Carlos Jaramillo 3Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panamá Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Silane Ferreira Da Silva; Silane Ferreira Da Silva 3Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panamá Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mauricio Blanco Mauricio Blanco 4Odebrecht, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Pedro II, 283 – Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20941-000, Brazil Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2010) 122 (11-12): 1846–1864. https://doi.org/10.1130/B30033.1 Article history received: 09 Feb 2009 rev-recd: 13 Sep 2009 accepted: 19 Sep 2009 first online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Andrés Mora, Mauricio Parra, Manfred R. Strecker, Edward R. Sobel, Gerold Zeilinger, Carlos Jaramillo, Silane Ferreira Da Silva, Mauricio Blanco; The eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia: An example of multiple factors controlling structural styles and active tectonics. GSA Bulletin 2010;; 122 (11-12): 1846–1864. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B30033.1 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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract We decipher the geometry, timing, and kinematics of deformation of a region in the eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. We assess the influence of inherited structural fabrics, changes in basin geometry, erosional denudation, and the characteristics of the tectonic stress field with respect to the evolution of the structural styles of the deformation front in the Eastern Cordillera. Detailed structural and geomorphic mapping of an area of ∼5000 km2, analysis of seismic-reflection profiles, cross-section balancing, tectonic stress-field indicators, and new apatite fission-track data are used to characterize the partitioning of Late Cenozoic deformation in the eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. During the late Miocene–Pliocene, in the Eastern Cordillera, deformation migrated from inverted master normal faults to low-elevation, low-amplitude structures in the foreland. However, this shift in the locus of deformation was not spatially uniform. The deformation front is wider in a northern sector of the Cordilleran foothills, where sedimentary units are thicker, and shortening is perpendicular to the structures. This shortening direction is identical to the direction of the greatest horizontal stress SHmax as seen in borehole breakouts. During the late Miocene–Pliocene, basement ranges are passively uplifted by younger, more frontal thrusts. The eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera thus reveal a complex combination of factors responsible for the structural styles and partitioning of active deformation in an inversion orogen. Over time, the most important factor changes, from the role of inherited structural fabrics to the geometries of basin fills. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.