A New High‐Resolution Broadband Lg Attenuation Model Beneath Colombia: Implications for Triple Junction Tectonics

Abstract The existence of a typical triple junction in Colombia is crucial for understanding plate convergence and coupling among the South American Plate, the subducting Nazca Plate, and the Caribbean Plate. However, locating this triple junction is challenging due to complex geodynamic evolution and uncertainty in the slab boundaries. Here, we developed a high‐resolution Lg‐wave attenuation model for Colombia and surrounding areas to constrain crustal magmatic activity, link deep processes with surface volcanism, and identify potential slab boundaries. The area encompassing Central America, western Colombia, and Ecuador exhibits strong Lg attenuation and a concentration of volcanoes, indicating thermal anomalies in the crust. In line with velocity structure, volcanism, seismicity, and isotopic dating, the thermal anomalies caused by the subducting Nazca and Caribbean slabs suggest the presence of three subducting slabs beneath the South American Plate, with a triple junction located at approximately 7.5°N, 77°W.

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Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2025-11-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl117903
Primary Topic
Geological and Tectonic Studies in Latin America
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A New High‐Resolution Broadband Lg Attenuation Model Beneath Colombia: Implications for Triple Junction Tectonics

Zhenxing Yao, Xiao‐Bi Xie, Baofeng Tian, Carlos A. Vargas et al.
Geophysical Research Letters
Geological and Tectonic Studies in Latin America
article

A New High‐Resolution Broadband Lg Attenuation Model Beneath Colombia: Implications for Triple Junction Tectonics

Zhenxing Yao, Xiao‐Bi Xie, Baofeng Tian, Carlos A. Vargas, Lian‐Feng Zhao, Zhen Liu
article en

Abstract

Abstract The existence of a typical triple junction in Colombia is crucial for understanding plate convergence and coupling among the South American Plate, the subducting Nazca Plate, and the Caribbean Plate. However, locating this triple junction is challenging due to complex geodynamic evolution and uncertainty in the slab boundaries. Here, we developed a high‐resolution Lg‐wave attenuation model for Colombia and surrounding areas to constrain crustal magmatic activity, link deep processes with surface volcanism, and identify potential slab boundaries. The area encompassing Central America, western Colombia, and Ecuador exhibits strong Lg attenuation and a concentration of volcanoes, indicating thermal anomalies in the crust. In line with velocity structure, volcanism, seismicity, and isotopic dating, the thermal anomalies caused by the subducting Nazca and Caribbean slabs suggest the presence of three subducting slabs beneath the South American Plate, with a triple junction located at approximately 7.5°N, 77°W.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 52(23)
University of California, Santa Cruz (US), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Universidad Nacional de Colombia (CO), Institute of Geology and Geophysics (AZ), Institute of Geology and Geophysics (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), China Earthquake Administration (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Geological and Tectonic Studies in Latin America
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A New High‐Resolution Broadband Lg Attenuation Model Beneath Colombia: Implications for Triple Junction Tectonics — Zhenxing Yao, Xiao‐Bi Xie, et al. · Geophysical Research Letters (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS