Fernando Martinez

Andrés Bello University | UNAB · Facultad de Ingenieria

The Mesozoic to Cenozoic deformation of the Andean forearc of northern Chile is interpreted as a mix of crustal extension, contraction, and strike-slip faulting, whose effects on the evolution of the western slope of the Central Andes have been largely debated. However, some topics, such as the initial distribution of the Pre-Andean structural and...

We present a study in the southern Puna (26°30′–27°30′S), aiming to explore the late Cenozoic evolution of the deformation and the stress field during its uplift. Through U‐Pb geochronology, structural observations, paleostress analysis, and balanced cross‐sections, we propose an structural evolutionary model over the past 24 million years, separat...

The crustal shortening of the Andean forearc in northern Chile was accommodated by a combination of thin and thick-sinned structural styles. However, fold-related inversion of normal faults appears to be the most important structures in the area. To understand the upper crustal shortening mechanisms that acted during the tectonic uplift of this reg...

This proposal focuses on understanding the pre-orogenic tectonic architecture of the continental margin of northern Chile (21°–23° S) from the sequential tectonic restorations of its regional-scale structures and its impact on the mechanisms and timing of Central Andes building. This will allow us to explore: a) the paleogeography of the continenta...

The Central Andean Forearc (26°S) structure has been debated for decades. Extension, contraction, and strike-slip deformation are commonly proposed mechanisms to explain the main tectonic elements exposed in the Domeyko Cordillera, Salar de Pedernales Basin, and others partially exposed in the Coastal Cordillera and Central Depression. Although pre...

The relationship between parallel and oblique to the orogen faults and the magmatic evolution is key to understanding the evolution of a hot orogen, such as the Central Andes. The Andean orogenesis along the southern Central Andes, during the Neogene is characterized by regional compression and magmatic processes associated with subduction. The out...

The orogenic growth of the Domeyko Cordillera was induced by a positive tectonic inversion. In this work, we have validated this interpretation from new field data, which were combined with 2‐D reflection seismic profile interpretations obtained along the Central Andes forearc of northern Chile. To compare with this information, we performed a new...

The structure of the Central Andes forearc of northern Chile has been an enigma for many years. Along this region , the preservation of a long pediplain constituted by gravels and unconsolidated sediments has hidden the structure of the region, making it difficult to understand its tectonic evolution. The traditional and regional-scale structural m...

Northern Chile is a natural laboratory to understand the relation between different basement-involved structural styles, mechanisms of basement uplift, and the interaction of Pre-Andean rift-related and Andean contractional structures. Field and geophysical data (two-dimensional seismic profiles) are key to understanding the geometry and kinematics...

This Editorial is based on the recent advances presented in the Special Issues related to tectonics across South America, released in the last three years. Its objective is to display the intense work focused on different lines of research of the Andean and Pre-Andean tectonic field and also to summarize key aspects extracted from these volumes in...

We present an integrated structural and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) study focused on the characterization of the spatio-temporal variation of the strain field during the main Neogene deformation, of the Argentine Precordillera and the northern Sierras Pampeanas, immediately to the south of the Puna plateau (27°30´S). The AMS from 43...

This chapter presents different examples of inversion structures recognized under the Pampa del Tamarugal along the western mountain front of the Central Andes in northern Chile, which were ignored during many years. This chapter begins with a regional-scale perspective of the geological context and the previous interpretations proposed to the regi...

We integrated new and existing geological, geochronological, thermochronological, and two-dimensional (2D) seismic data from the Salar de Punta Negra Basin to define the Late Paleozoic–Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the inner Andean forearc of northern Chile more precisely. Our results indicate that this region experienced early Late Paleozoic–Meso...

We investigated the role of pre-existing basement normal faults, and ductile layers present within post-rift sequences on the final geometry and kinematics of hybrid (thick and thin-skinned) fold and thrust belts that result of tectonic inversion, using as an example the northern region of the Salar de Atacama Basin in the Central Andes. The study...

In this chapter, we present seismic evidence of the interaction between inverted normal faults and reverse faults under the southern Salar de Atacama Basin in the western Central Andes of northern Chile. The chapter starts by presenting a summary of the main tectonic mechanism proposed by several authors to explain the structure of the basin, as we...

In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis supported by previous regional and mesoscopic field observations, new U-Pb chronological data of synorogenic deposits, and thermochronological data from syn-contractional granitic rocks. The objective is understanding the main mechanism and timing of crustal uplift of the western Central Andes on t...

In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis supported by previous regional and mesoscopic field observations, new U–Pb chronological data of synorogenic deposits, and thermochronological data from syn‐contractional granitic rocks. The objective is understanding the main mechanism and timing of crustal uplift of the western Central Andes on t...

The study of the Cordillera de Domeyko and the Salar de Atacama Basin in northern Chile has been critical to understand the generation of the Andean Cordillera and the migration of the deformation front eastwards. However, the relation between the uplift of the range, its temporal pattern, and the formation of the Preandean Depression have not been...

For many years, the geometry, kinematic, and the age of the basement‐involved structures of the Pre‐Andean basins of northern Chile have been debated. Even, many tectonic models supported by surface geological data have ignored how is the continuity of these structures in the subsurface, and also their possible relation with ancient preorogenic str...

We present an integrated structural and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) study focused on the characterization of the spatio-temporal variation of the strain field during the main Neogene deformation, of the Argentine Precordillera and the northern Sierras Pampeanas, immediately to the south of the Puna plateau (27°30′S). The AMS from 43...

The southern Peru and northern Chile Paleocene – Eocene porphyry copper metallogenic belt is mostly concealed by post-mineral cover. Mineral exploration in these areas are highly complex and expensive, requiring new strategies and approaches to minimize generative exploration failure. We used geological and geophysical data to determine geology ben...

In South America several fold and thrust belts are located along the northern and western margin, being they related to the Caribbean and Pacific oceanic plates interactions with the continent. For many decades, several geophysical and geological studies have been developed, in order to discover new oil and gas reserves and mineral recourses. The d...

The tectonic evolution of the Andean forearc in northern Chile has commonly been related to superimposed deformational events associated with different tectonic settings. The eastern Domeyko Cordillera and the Salar de Atacama Basin on the inner Andean forearc, have been widely investigated, and several alternative tectonic models including extensi...

The fold and thrust belt of Hornitos affects volcano-sedimentary deposits ranging from 80 to 65 My, these are intruded by a series of plutons ranging from 67 to 40 My. In this temporal range, the deformation accumulates around the main faults, which are identified as tectonically inverted faults, where a series of structural shortcuts are born that...

We integrated new field observations, two‐dimensional (2‐D) seismic profiles and new and previously reported chronological data to understand the effects of pre‐orogenic structures on the tectonic evolution of the Salar de Punta Negra in the Central Andes. For first time a series of restored geological cross‐sections are presented, thus showing the...

Thick- and thin-skinned “hybrid” thrust belts are typically developed in areas where crustal shortening was preceded by extension and normal faulting. They have been recognized in many places within the Central Andean backarc regions of Perú, Argentina, and Bolivia. In contrast, these structures have not been broadly studied in forearc regions. To...

The tectonic evolution of the Andean forearc in the Central Andes is understood by the superimposition of deformational events associated with different tectonic regimes, which control the main morpho-tectonic units of northern Chile. Varied interpretations have opened a great discussion about the deep structure of the Andean forearc and its implic...

The tectonic evolution of the southwestern margin of Pangea supercontinent is represented by the extensive late Paleozoic–Triassic magmatism along the southwestern margin of South America, including the Chilean Frontal Andes batholiths as part of the Choiyoi province. Several models have proposed cessation of subduction as the reason behind the vas...

The combination of field data, balanced cross-sections, gravimetric, chronological data and apatite fission track data have allowed understand the tectonic history of the “Pampean” region of northern Chile. The regional structure is characterized by the interplay between large inverted and basement-involved reverse faults and thrust that commonly a...

The Salar de Punta Negra Basin in the forearc of the Central Andes serves as a natural laboratory to understand the evolution of thickskinned triangle zones dominated by opposite-verging, contractional systems. We combined [eld data and WE 2D seismic pro[les along parts of the basin where stratigraphic units are well constrained. The seismic data s...

La Depresión Preandina en el norte de Chile se encuentra conformada por una serie de cuencas sedimentarias (cuencas del Salar de Atacama y Salar de Punta Negra) que se extienden por casi 300 km. Se encuentra limitada al oeste y al este, por dos cinturones montañosos, la Cordillera de Domeyko y el arco volcánico actual de los Andes Centrales, donde...

La evolución tectónica del antearco andino en los Andes Centrales es entendida por la sobreimposición de eventos de deformación asociados con diferentes regímenes tectónicos. Estos episodios y sus estructuras desarrolladas controlan las principales unidades morfo-tectónicas del norte de Chile. Variadas interpretaciones han abierto una gran discusió...

The Tarapacá Basin is one of the larger basins created on the western margin of South America during the Mesozoic times. Regional studies focused their attention on understanding its Cenozoic surface structures, traditionally interpreted as a west-verging thrust and fold belt. However, its internal and deep architecture and the influence of previou...

A multidisciplinary study supported by [eld data and 2-D seismic information was conducted to understand the tectonic interactions between Mesozoic to Cenozoic extensional and contractional structures along the Prean-dean Depression (23° 25°S) in northern Chile, which have been largely debated. This work gives some new ideas about the control that...

This book describes the Paleozoic to Cenozoic evolution of the Chilean and Argentinean Andes. The book is structured from a historical perspective concentrating on specific processes explained in each chapter. The chapters cover dynamic subsidence; neotectonics; magmatism; long and short term deformation; spatial development of ancient orogenic pro...

During the structural modelling of inverted basins influenced by magmatism is very important understand the geometric and kinematic relationships between inverted structures and intrusive bodies. The northern Chile is a natural laboratory to analyze this situation, since its Cenozoic tectonic evolution was marked by the tectonic inversion of Mesozo...

The knowledge of the tectonic architecture, timing, and the mechanisms of deformation that affected the western slope of the Chilean–Pampean flat-slab subduction segment of the Central Andes in northern Chile are a key to understand the complete evolution of this Andean segment. In Chile, this segment is composed of two tectonic provinces: The Coas...

This work reports on new zircon U-Pb ages (U-Pb LA-ICPMS Geochronology) obtained from volcanic, intrusive and sedimentary rocks which have been exposed in the Coastal Cordillera of the Antofagasta region (22°30'-23°00'S). A frequency diagram was performed with all the obtained ages. The diagram showed peaks representing emplacement or crystallizati...

The Salar de Atacama basin is the main topographic low of the Preandean Depression of the Central Andes of northern Chile. Although numerous studies have been carried out in this area, the origin of the depression is still a matter of debate. The integration of seismic reflection and surface structural data along the basin allows the characterizati...

We have combined 2D seismic information with field data to interpret the structure underneath the Salar de Punta Negra Basin. The interpretation of NW-SE oriented seismic profiles along the basin shows that its structure consists of a doubly-verging contractional system composed of inverted and basement-involved structures. West-verging inversion a...

The Frontal Cordillera in northern Chile is located over the flat-slab subduction segment of the Central Andes. This tectonic province is characterized by a thickskinned structural style showing evidence of tectonic inversion and basement-involved compressive structures. Field data, U-Pb geochronological and apatite fission track data were used to...

Doubly vergent contractional structures are common features in many regions of the Central Andes. They represent the first-order structural style observed in the inverted Mesozoic basins located along the flat-slab subduction segment of northern Chile. Here, we present a comparative analyses based on geological data previously published and a serie...

La Cuenca del Salar de Punta Negras es una cuenca intra-montañosa que forma parte de la Depresión Preandina en los Andes Centrales del norte de Chile, localizada entre la Cordillera de Domeyko y el actual arco volcánico de los Andes Centrales. Estructuralmente esta limitada por una serie de cordones montañosos donde se exponen rocas del Paleozoico...

The Andean orogenic cycle and its subduction-related magmatism along the southwestern margin of South America began during the early Jurassic after an accretionary history throughout Paleozoic times. The Chilean and Argentinian Frontal Andes batholiths, together with the Coastal Batholith, represent most of the pre-Andean orogenic cycle plutonism....

This paper discusses an integrated approach that provides new ideas about the structural geometry of the NNE-striking, Cretaceous Chañarcillo Basin located along the eastern Coastal Cordillera in the western Central Andes of northern Chile (27–28° S). The results obtained from the integration of two transverse (E–W) gravity profiles with previous g...

The Andean orogenic belt, located in the Central Andes “Pampean flat-slab” segment in northern Chile (27–29°S), is composed of two major tectonic regions: the Coastal Cordillera and the Frontal Cordillera. To understand their internal tectonic styles, history of growth and the shortening absorbed by the upper crustal structure of this segment, we c...

This paper discusses an integrated approach that provides new ideas about the structural geometry of the NNE-striking, Cretaceous Chañarcillo Basin located along the eastern Coastal Cordillera in the western Central Andes of northern Chile (27–28� S). The results obtained from the integration of two transverse (E–W) gravity profiles with previous g...

The structure of the Chilean Frontal Cordillera, located over the Central Andes flat-slab subduction segment (27°-28.5°S), is characterized by a thick-skinned deformation, affecting both the pre-rift basement and the Mesozoic and Cenozoic infill of the NNE-SSW Lautaro and Lagunillas Basins, which were developed during the Pangea-Gondwana break-up....

The Chañarcillo Basin is an Early Cretaceous extensional basin in northern Chile (27-29�°S). The folding style of the syn-rift successions along the eastern side of the basin reveals an architecture consisting of a NNE-trending anticline “Tierra Amarilla Anticlinorium”, associated with the inversion of the Elisa de Bordos Fault. A set of balanced c...

Una sección sísmica de reflexión 2D, de alta resolución en el sector sur de la Cuenca de Arauco muestra evidencias estructurales relacionadas a la compresión cenozoica andina y a la tectónica reciente (procesos de transferencia de masa). La Cuenca de Arauco presenta secuencias sedimentarias cretácicas tardías-pliocenas y se posiciona en el antearco...

The Triassic and Jurassic tectonic history of northern Chile has been dominated by extension, although clear evidence about the nature and geometry of the extensional basins and subsequent inversion structures has been adequately illustrated in only a few cases. In this contribution we present a structural study of the Lautaro Basin located at the...

The Triassic and Jurassic tectonic history of northern Chile has been dominated by extension, although clear evidence about the nature and geometry of the extensional basins and subsequent inversion structures has been adequately illustrated in only a few cases. In this contribution we present a structural study of the Lautaro Basin located at the...

Cited By (since 1996): 5, Export Date: 24 July 2012, Source: Scopus, doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2011.03.004, Language of Original Document: English, Correspondence Address: Arriagada, C.; Departamento de Geología-Centro de Excelencia en Geotermia de Los Andes (CEGA-FONDAP), Universidad de Chile, Plaza Ercilla 803, Santiago, Chile; email: cearriag@cec.uchil...

Resumen Hace mas de 20 años que el patrón de rotaciones tectónicas ha sido estudiado en los Andes centrales, destacando con estos estudios uno de los flexuramientos más dramáticos en la cadena andina: el Oroclino Boliviano, flexuramiento que se adecua a la hipótesis Oroclinal original de Carey. Diversos estudios han constatado su historial tectónic...

From 3D seismic-structural interpretations and well data integration, a set of inverted structures were identified, which allowed to establish the relationships between extensional and compressional deformation in the central-south region (“B” and “VIII” blocks) of the Maracaibo Basin, starting with the recognition of a group of inverted structures...