Timing of Late Cenozoic Volcanic and Tectonic Events Along the Western Margin of the North American Plate

Warren Barrash, Ramesh Venkatakrishnan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

A number of well- to relatively well-dated significant volcanic and tectonic events along the western margin of the North American plate began, ended, or increased intensity at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P., 10 ± 2 m.y. B.P., and 5 ± 1 m.y. B.P. Continental events at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were related to the upwelling of an elongated mantle diapir, which created a widespread thermal disturbance east of the subducting Farallon plate. Oceanic events at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were largely related to the approach of the East Pacific Rise toward the North American plate. Continental and oceanic events at 10 ± 2 m.y. B.P. were related to the clockwise rotation of the Pacific plate spreading direction and to the increased rate of relative motion between the Pacific and North American plates. Most events at 5 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were related to the opening of the Gulf of California and to the oceanic plate reorganizations of which the gulf-opening was a part. Different styles of response reflect differences between intraplate volcanic and tectonic subdomains. Pulses of volcanic activity do not seem to be directly or solely related to changes of plate motion. Increased volcanic activity at arcs and some intraplate volcanic settings may be indicators or precursors of significant tectonic transition intervals. If so, we may presently be in the midst of such a transition interval.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalGSA Bulletin
Volume93
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1982
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cenozoic
  • Neogene
  • North America
  • North American Plate
  • igneous activity
  • movement

EGS Disciplines

  • Geology
  • Geophysics and Seismology

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