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.
Authors
- Zhenxing Yao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4029-1266)
- Xiao‐Bi Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2373-9759)
- Baofeng Tian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1944-6649)
- Carlos A. Vargas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5027-9519)
- Lian‐Feng Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1400-3064)
- Zhen Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6313-823X)
Institutions
- 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)
Publication Details
- 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
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China