Kinematics and Convergent Tectonics of the Northwestern South American Plate During the Cenozoic

The interaction of the northern Nazca and southwestern Caribbean oceanic plates with northwestern South America (NWSA) collision Panama-Choco arc (PCA) have significant implications on evolution Andes. Based a quantitative kinematic reconstruction Farallon/Farallon-derived plates, we reconstructed subducting geometries beneath NWSA PCA accretion to continent. persistent northeastward migration plate relative in Cenozoic time caused continuous northward advance Farallon-Caribbean boundary, which turn resulted its progressive concave trench bending against NWSA. increasing complexity during Paleogene included onset shallow subduction, approaching continent, forced Farallon subduction that ended fragmentation Plate into Cocos Coiba Malpelo microplates by late Oligocene. convergence tectonics after Oligocene comprised accretional process NWSA, evolved from erosion forearc collisional middle Miocene, as well changes angle slab dip Farallon-derived attachment around 9 Ma, resulting change directions. During Pliocene, broke at 5.5°N, shaping modern configuration. Overall, proposed is supported geophysical data correlated magmatic deformation history