ALBERT

Description: We are providing the geophysical data used to develop a gravity validated 3D lithospheric configuration of the Caribbean and north South American plates. The sources of these data are described in Section 4 of this README. Republication of subsets of these data are with permission of the authors or allowed by the licences of the input data. This data repository contains the lithospheric layers of the gravity validated 3D structural and density model of the Caribbean and north South American plates. In this model, the integration of different publicly available geophysical datasets was made, after an interpolation to a homogeneous spatial resolution of 25 km was performed. The data repository also contains the average density of the crystalline crust obtained after forward modelling the gravity anomalies. Additionally, the rotation files of the GPlates reconstructions of the Caribbean Large Igneous Plateau (CLIP) back to 90 Ma are included. This kinematic analysis was based on different reconstructions previously published by other authors. Further information and citations are given on the README file associated to this data repository.

Description: Assessing the size of a former ocean of which only remnants are found in mountain belts is challenging but crucial to understanding subduction and exhumation processes. Here we present new constraints on the opening and width of the Piemont–Liguria (PL) Ocean, known as the Alpine Tethys together with the Valais Basin. We use a regional tectonic reconstruction of the Western Mediterranean–Alpine area, implemented into a global plate motion model with lithospheric deformation, and 2D thermo-mechanical modeling of the rifting phase to test our kinematic reconstructions for geodynamic consistency. Our model fits well with independent datasets (i.e., ages of syn-rift sediments, rift-related fault activity, and mafic rocks) and shows that, between Europe and northern Adria, the PL Basin opened in four stages: (1) rifting of the proximal continental margin in the Early Jurassic (200–180 Ma), (2) hyper-extension of the distal margin in the Early to Middle Jurassic (180–165 Ma), (3) ocean–continent transition (OCT) formation with mantle exhumation and MORB-type magmatism in the Middle–Late Jurassic (165–154 Ma), and (4) breakup and mature oceanic spreading mostly in the Late Jurassic (154–145 Ma). Spreading was slow to ultra-slow (max. 22 mm yr−1, full rate) and decreased to ∼5 mm yr−1 after 145 Ma while completely ceasing at about 130 Ma due to the motion of Iberia relative to Europe during the opening of the North Atlantic. The final width of the PL mature (“true”) oceanic crust reached a maximum of 250 km along a NW–SE transect between Europe and northwestern Adria. Plate convergence along that same transect has reached 680 km since 84 Ma (420 km between 84–35 Ma, 260 km between 35–0 Ma), which greatly exceeds the width of the ocean. We suggest that at least 63 % of the subducted and accreted material was highly thinned continental lithosphere and most of the Alpine Tethys units exhumed today derived from OCT zones. Our work highlights the significant proportion of distal rifted continental margins involved in subduction and exhumation processes and provides quantitative estimates for future geodynamic modeling and a better understanding of the Alpine Orogeny.

Description: Neogene indentation of the Adriatic plate into Europe led to major modifications of the Alpine orogenic structures and style of deformation in the Eastern and Southern Alps. The Giudicarie Belt is a prime example of this, as it offsets the entire Alpine orogenic edifice; its activity has been kinematically linked to strike-slip faulting and lateral extrusion of the Eastern Alps. Remaining questions on the exact role of this fold-and-thrust belt in the structure of the Alpine orogen at depth necessitate a quantitative analysis of the shortening, kinematics, and depth of decoupling beneath the Giudicarie Belt and adjacent parts of the Southern Alps. Tectonic balancing of a network of seven cross sections through the Giudicarie Belt parallel to the local NNW–SSE shortening direction reveals that this belt comprises two kinematic domains that accommodated different amounts of shortening during overlapping times. These two domains are separated by the NW–SE-oriented strike-slip Trento-Cles–Schio-Vicenza fault system, which offsets the Southern Alpine orogenic front in the south and merges with the Northern Giudicarie Fault in the north. The SW kinematic domain (Val Trompia sector) accommodated at least ∼ 18 km of Late Oligocene to Early Miocene shortening. Since the Middle Miocene, this domain experienced at least ∼ 12–22 km shortening, whereas the NE kinematic domain accommodated at least ∼ 25–35 km shortening. Together, these domains contributed an estimated minimum of ∼ 40–47 km of sinistral strike-slip motion along the Northern Giudicarie Fault, implying that most offset of the Periadriatic Fault is due to Late Oligocene to Neogene indentation of the Adriatic plate into the Eastern Alps. Moreover, the faults linking the Giudicarie Belt with the Northern Giudicarie Fault reach ∼ 15–20 km depth, indicating a thick-skinned tectonic style of deformation. These fault detachments may also connect at depth with a lower crustal Adriatic wedge that protruded north of the Periadriatic Fault and are responsible for N–S shortening and eastward, orogen-parallel escape of deeply exhumed units in the Tauern Window. Finally, the E–W lateral variation of shortening across the Giudicarie Belt indicates internal deformation and lateral variation in strength of the Adriatic indenter related to Permian–Mesozoic tectonic structures and paleogeographic zones.

Description: In this study, we analyzed a large seismological dataset from temporary and permanent networks in the southern and eastern Alps to establish high-precision hypocenters and 1-D VP and VP/VS models. The waveform data of a subset of local earthquakes with magnitudes in the range of 1–4.2 ML were recorded by the dense, temporary SWATH-D network and selected stations of the AlpArray network between September 2017 and the end of 2018. The first arrival times of P and S waves of earthquakes are determined by a semi-automatic procedure. We applied a Markov chain Monte Carlo inversion method to simultaneously calculate robust hypocenters, a 1-D velocity model, and station corrections without prior assumptions, such as initial velocity models or earthquake locations. A further advantage of this method is the derivation of the model parameter uncertainties and noise levels of the data. The precision estimates of the localization procedure is checked by inverting a synthetic travel time dataset from a complex 3-D velocity model and by using the real stations and earthquakes geometry. The location accuracy is further investigated by a quarry blast test. The average uncertainties of the locations of the earthquakes are below 500 m in their epicenter and ∼ 1.7 km in depth. The earthquake distribution reveals seismicity in the upper crust (0–20 km), which is characterized by pronounced clusters along the Alpine frontal thrust, e.g., the Friuli-Venetia (FV) region, the Giudicarie–Lessini (GL) and Schio-Vicenza domains, the Austroalpine nappes, and the Inntal area. Some seismicity also occurs along the Periadriatic Fault. The general pattern of seismicity reflects head-on convergence of the Adriatic indenter with the Alpine orogenic crust. The seismicity in the FV and GL regions is deeper than the modeled frontal thrusts, which we interpret as indication for southward propagation of the southern Alpine deformation front (blind thrusts).

Description: In this study, 3-D models of P-wave velocity (Vp) and P- and S-wave ratio (Vp/Vs) of the crust and upper mantle in the Eastern and eastern Southern Alps (northern Italy and southern Austria) were calculated using local earthquake tomography (LET). The dataset includes high-quality arrival-times from well-constrained hypocenters observed by the dense, temporary seismic networks of the AlpArray AASN and SWATH-D. The resolution of the LET was checked by synthetic tests and analysis of the Model Resolution Matrix. The small inter-station spacing (average of ∼15 km within the SWATH-D network) allowed us to image crustal structure at unprecedented resolution across a key part of the Alps. The derived P velocity model revealed a highly heterogeneous crustal structure in the target area. One of the main findings is that the lower crust is thickened, forming a bulge at 30-50 km depth just south of and beneath the Periadriatic Fault and the Tauern Window. This indicates that the lower crust decoupled both from its mantle substratum as well as from its upper crust. The Moho, taken to be the iso-velocity contour of Vp=7.25 km/s, agrees with the Moho depth from previous studies in the European and Adriatic forelands. It is shallower on the Adriatic side than on the European side. This is interpreted to indicate that the European Plate subducted beneath the Adriatic Plate in the Eastern and eastern Southern Alps.

Description: Using a regional geological and geophysical dataset, we reconstructed the stratigraphic evolution of the Lower Magdalena Valley Basin and San Jacinto fold belt of northwestern Colombia. Detailed interpretations of reflection seismic data and new geochronology analyses reveal that the basement of the Lower Magdalena Basin is the northward continuation of the basement terranes of the northern Central Cordillera and consists of Permian – Triassic metasedimentary rocks intruded by Upper Cretaceous granitoids. Structural analyses suggest that the NE–SW strike of faults in basement rocks underlying the northeastern Lower Magdalena is inherited from a Jurassic rifting event, while the ESE–WNW—striking faults in the western part originated from a Late Cretaceous to Eocene strike–slip and extensional episode. The Upper Cretaceous to lower Eocene sedimentary rocks preserved in the present–day San Jacinto fold belt were deposited in a submarine, forearc basin formed during the coeval oblique convergence between the Caribbean and South American Plates. A lower to middle Eocene angular unconformity at the top of the upper Paleocene to lower Eocene San Cayetano sequence, the termination of the activity of the Romeral Fault System, and the cessation of arc magmatism are all interpreted to indicate the onset of low–angle orthogonal subduction of the Caribbean Plateau beneath South America between 56 and 43 Ma. Flat subduction of the plateau has continued to the present and would be the main cause of amagmatic post–Eocene deposition and formation of the Lower Magdalena Valley Forearc Basin. Extensional reactivation of inherited, pre–Oligocene basement faults was crucial for the tectonic segmentation of the basin and the formation of its two depocenters (Plato and San Jorge). Late Oligocene to early Miocene fault–controlled subsidence allowed initial infill of the Lower Magdalena, while uplift of Andean terranes made possible the connection of the Lower and Middle Magdalena Valleys, and the formation of the largest Colombian drainage system (Magdalena River system). This drainage system started delivering enormous amounts of sediments in middle Miocene times, as fault–controlled subsidence was gradually replaced by sedimentary loading. Such dramatic increase in sedimentation and the huge volume of sediment being delivered to the trench caused the formation of forearc highs in San Jacinto and of an accretionary prism farther to the west. Our results highlight the fundamental role of plate kinematics, inherited basement structure and sediment flux on the evolution of forearc basins such as the Lower Magdalena and San Jacinto.

Description: The Alps formed during the African-European collision. Although the Alps are in the focus of geoscientific research over decades, its crustal and upper-mantle structure are still not completely known. The Periadriatic Lineament, a late orogonic fault active in Oligo-Miocene time, is sinistrally offset by the Guidicarie Fault. It is controversially discussed whether or not a switch in the subduction polarity on either side of the Guidicarie Fault can be observed. Our aim is to reveal the 3-D crustal structure of this section of the Alps at high-resolution by local earthquake tomography (LET). We use data of a temporary seismic network in the Southern and Eastern Alps (SWATH-D) which consists of 150 stations with an inter-station spacing of 15 km. The data from selected AlpArray (AASN) stations was included too. The first results of the inversion for hypocenters, velocity model, and station corrections are in a good agreement with the previous local and regional studies. However, our 1-D velocity model for this particular part of the Alps indicates upper-crustal velocities that are higher than the Alpine average. The seismicity pattern comprises diffuse clusters of earthquakes within the upper 25 km of the crust in the Friuli, Lake-Garda, Trentino and Brenner regions. The centre of the study region shows anomalously low seismic activity. This seismicity pattern indicates where ongoing Adria-Europe convergence is currently accommodated. A preliminary 3-D inversion shows satisfactory resolution and reveals the structure of the crust and uppermost mantle down to 50 km in most of the target area.

Description: Remnants of the Caribbean Large Igneous Plateau (C-LIP) are found as thicker than normal oceanic crust in the Caribbean Sea that formed during rapid pulses of magmatic activity at ∼91–88 and ∼76 Ma. Strong geochemical evidence supports the hypothesis that the C-LIP formed due to melting of the plume head of the Galápagos hotspot, which interacted with the Farallon (Proto-Caribbean) plate in the eastern Pacific. Considering plate tectonics theory, it is expected that the lithospheric portion of the plume-related material migrated within the Proto-Caribbean plate in a north–north-eastward direction, developing the present-day Caribbean plate. In this research, we used 3D lithospheric-scale, data-integrative models of the current Caribbean plate setting to reveal, for the first time, the presence of positive density anomalies in the uppermost lithospheric mantle. These models are based on the integration of up-to-date geophysical datasets from the Earth's surface down to 200 km depth, which are validated using high-resolution free-air gravity measurements. Based on the gravity residuals (modelled minus observed gravity), we derive density heterogeneities both in the crystalline crust and the uppermost oceanic mantle (〈50 km). Our results reveal the presence of two positive mantle density anomalies beneath the Colombian and the Venezuelan basins, interpreted as the preserved fossil plume conduits associated with the C-LIP formation. Such mantle bodies have never been identified before, but a positive density trend is also indicated by S-wave tomography, at least down to 75 km depth. The interpreted plume conduits spatially correlate with the thinner crustal regions present in both basins; therefore, we propose a modification to the commonly accepted tectonic model of the Caribbean, suggesting that the thinner domains correspond to the centres of uplift due to the inflow of the hot, buoyant plume head. Finally, using six different kinematic models, we test the hypothesis that the C-LIP originated above the Galápagos hotspot; however, misfits of up to ∼3000 km are found between the present-day hotspot location and the mantle anomalies, reconstructed back to 90 Ma. Therefore, we shed light on possible sources of error responsible for this offset and discuss two possible interpretations: (1) the Galápagos hotspot migrated (∼1200–3000 km) westward while the Caribbean plate moved to the north, or (2) the C-LIP was formed by a different plume, which – if considered fixed – would be nowadays located below the South American continent.

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

Description: The Ligurian Sea is located in a complex tectonic area, at the Western Alps – Northern Apennines junction. Little is known about the structure of the basin and the continuation of the Alpine orogen offshore. The Ligurian Sea formed as a back-arc basin related to the retreat of the Apennine subduction zone. During extension, the Corsica-Sardinia block drifted eastwards, rotating counter-clockwise to its current position. The nature of the crust in the basin, whether atypical oceanic crust, thinned continental crust, or even exhumed mantle with thick sediment cover, is still a topic of debate. If oceanic crust was formed, its extent is poorly mapped. Moreover, seismic and geodetic data show that the basin is now under compression. The area is known to have hosted large, tsunamigenic earthquakes in the past, however, its location boarding France, Monaco, and Italy, and climate mean that the coastline is densely populated despite the risk. Understanding the nature of the tectonics in the basin can therefore help assess the seismic hazard of the area. In this project we use P-wave travel time tomography to generate a 3D velocity model of a section of the Gulf of Lion into the Ligurian Sea. This project is part of the DFG Priority Program “Mountain Building Processes in Four Dimensions (4DMB)”. We use data from the LOBSTER-AlpArray OBS as well as from the 2006 SARDINIA Experiment. With FMTOMO we incorporate reflected and refracted rays as well as water multiples which in some cases improves the ray coverage.