The Crustal Stress Field Inferred From Focal Mechanisms in Northern Chile

We ​study the spatial variability of crustal stress in northern Chile. A margin-parallel compressive regime is inferred along coastal region between 19° and 23.5°S, similar to observations Cascadia Japan. The Andean Precordillera shows a distinct field associated with strike-slip faulting around 21°S. These results are constrained by over decade observations, for which earthquake catalogs report thousands events continental crust. present focal mechanisms 817 these earthquakes, including mechanism qualities. best were grouped inverted infer stress-field variability. interpret compression be caused concave shape margin locking plate interface. Andes agrees previous studies has been proposed mostly local stresses imposed thicker