Age and origin of earliest adakitic-like magmatism in Panama: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the Panamanian magmatic arc system

Whattam, Scott A.; Montes, Camilo; McFadden, Rory R.; Cardona, A.; Ramírez, Diego Armando; Valencia, Víctor A.

doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2012.02.017

Cited by 31 publications

(24 citation statements)

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“…Moreover, a middle–upper Eocene collision of a buoyant indentor inducing a slab tear was invoked by Whattam et al. () to explain Oligocene–lower Miocene adakitic intrusions in western Panama. However, it remains unclear whether the upper Eocene–lower Oligocene arc gap in eastern Panama is linked to the collision of an indentor with the trench (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectono‐stratigraphic response of the Sandino Forearc Basin (N‐Costa Rica and W‐Nicaragua) to episodes of rough crust and oblique subduction

Andjić

Baumgartner‐Mora

Baumgartner

et al. 2018

The Depositional Record

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The southern Central American active margin is a world-class site where past and present subduction processes have been extensively studied. Tectonic erosion/accretion and oblique/orthogonal subduction are thought to alternate in space and time along the Middle American Trench. These processes may cause various responses in the upper plate, such as uplift/subsidence, deformation, and volcanic arc migration/shut-off. We present an updated stratigraphic framework of the Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic Sandino Forearc Basin (SFB) which provides evidence of sedimentary response to tectonic events. Since its inception, the basin was predominantly filled with deep-water volcaniclastic deposits. In contrast, shallow-water deposits appeared episodically in the basin record and are considered as tectonic event markers. The SFB stretches for about 300 km and varies in thickness from 5 km (southern part) to about 16 km (northern part). The drastic, along-basin, thickness variation appears to be the result of (1) differential tectonic evolutions and (2) differential rates of sediment supply. (1) The northern SFB did not experience major tectonic events. In contrast, the reduced thickness of the southern SFB (5 km) is the result of at least four uplift phases related to the collision/accretion of bathymetric reliefs on the incoming plate: (i) the accretion of a buoyant oceanic plateau (Nicoya Complex) during the middle Campanian; (ii) the collision of an oceanic plateau (?) during the late Danian-Selandian; (iii) the collision/accretion of seamounts during the late Eocene-early Oligocene; (iv) the collision of seamounts and ridges during the Pliocene-Holocene. (2) The northwestward thickening of the SFB may have been enhanced by high sediment supply in the Fonseca Gulf area which reflects sourcing from wide, high relief drainage basins. In contrast, sedimentary input has possibly been lower along the southern SFB, due to the proximity of the narrow, lowland isthmus of southern Central America. Moreover, two phases of strongly oblique subduction affected the margin, producing strike-slip faulting in the forearc basin: (1) prior to the Farallon Plate breakup, an Oligocene transpressional phase caused deformation and uplift of the basin depocenter, triggering shallowing-upward of the Nicaraguan Isthmus in the central and northern SFB; (2) a Pleistocene--

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectono‐stratigraphic response of the Sandino Forearc Basin (N‐Costa Rica and W‐Nicaragua) to episodes of rough crust and oblique subduction

Andjić

Baumgartner‐Mora

Baumgartner

et al. 2018

The Depositional Record

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Initial uplift, leading to the erosional exposure of the plutonic basement, was tectonic, presumably caused by the collision and accretion of seamounts (Azuero Accretionary complex) [Buchs et al, 2011], the collision of an ''indentor'' (probably an oceanic plateau or the Gorgona plateau) [Whattam et al, 2012] or the onset of collision between Panama and South America [Kerr et al, 1997;Pindell and Kennan, 2009;Barat et al, 2014] (Figure 1). However, paleobotanical studies in Azuero [Herrera et al, 2012] suggest the presence of emerged land (the volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Azuero Marginal complex) since late Eocene.…”

Section: Paleogeographic Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We present zircon U‐Pb ages, apatite (AHe) and zircon (ZHe) (U‐Th)/He thermochronologic data, and Lu‐Hf isotopic data from batholiths in the Azuero Peninsula, and from the oldest known sedimentary successions deposited in Central Panama (Gatuncillo Formation) and the Azuero Peninsula (Cobachón and Tonosí Formations) (Figure ). These data are combined with geochronologic and thermochronologic data compiled from recent studies [ Montes et al ., ; Whattam et al ., ; Farris et al ., ; Corral et al ., ; Lissinna , ; Villagomez and Spikings , ; Wegner et al ., ] (Table ) to constrain: (1) the low‐temperature cooling history of the batholiths of the Azuero Peninsula and Central Panama, (2) the cooling histories of the plutonic rocks currently exposed in drainage basins of the San Blas Range, (3) the provenance and source of the Eocene successions, (4) the timing of exhumation of the Eocene strata in the Gatuncillo, Tonosí and Cobachón basins, and (5) the variation on the exhumation patterns along the Isthmus. These results complement the previous studies about the paleogeographic evolution of the Isthmus of Panama, describing the history of uplift and exhumation of the Panamanian volcaniclastic basement in the Azuero Peninsula, Central Panama and associated basins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Exhumation of the Panama basement complex and basins: Implications for the closure of the Central American seaway

Ramírez

Foster

Min

et al. 2016

Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst.

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The emergence of the Central American isthmus occurred episodically from Eocene to Pliocene time and was caused by a series of tectonic and volcanic processes. Results from zircon U‐Pb geochronology, zircon (U‐Th)/He (ZHe) and apatite (U‐Th)/He (AHe) thermochronology, and zircon Lu‐Hf isotopic data from sedimentary (sandstones and recent river sands) and plutonic rocks from the Azuero Peninsula and Central Panama document the exhumation and uplift history of the Panamanian basement complex. Our data support previous paleobotanical and thermochronological studies that suggest that by middle Eocene time some areas of Central Panama and Azuero Peninsula were exposed above sea level as a series of islands surrounded by shallow open marine waters. The Gatuncillo, Cobachón and Tonosí formations were deposited during this partial emergence. Transtension in the Oligocene‐early Miocene produced various pull‐apart basins (e.g., the Canal Basin) and local uplift that exhumed the Eocene strata (Gatuncillo and Cobachón formations). This event probably reduced circulation between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Tonosí Formation records late Miocene to Pleistocene cooling and exhumation, which may be related to uplift above the subducting Coiba Ridge. These results suggest that the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama followed a series of diachronous events that led to the final closure of the Central American seaway.

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“…Gazel et al (2009Gazel et al ( , 2011 show that the appearance of the Galapagos signature in the central Costa Rican volcanic front correlates with the production of magmas having primitive andesitic/adakitic compositions. Adakites are intermediate magmas produced by high-pressure melting of a mafic protolith, such as a subducted slab, and are recognized in part by their high La/Yb and Sr compositions (Kay 1978;Defant and Drummond 1990;Gazel et al 2011;Whattam et al 2012). Their presence in central Costa Rica strongly supports the occurrence of slab melting and its importance in explaining the enriched signature seen in southernmost CASZ magmas.…”

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confidence: 89%

Igneous Rock Associations 13. Focusing on the Central American Subduction Zone

Walker

Gazel

2014

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Central America has recently been an important focus area for investigations into the complex processes occurring in subduction zones. Here we review some of the new findings concerning subduction input, magma production and evolution, and resultant volcanic output. In the Nicaraguan portion of the subduction zone, subduction input is unusually wet, likely caused by extensive serpentinization of the mantle portion of the incoming plate associated with bending-related faulting seaward of the Middle America trench. The atypical influx of water into the Nicaraguan section of the subduction zone ultimately leads to a regional maximum in the degree of mantle melting. In central Costa Rica, subduction input is also unusual in that it includes oceanic crust flavored by the Galapagos plume. Both of these exotic subduction inputs are recognizable in the compositions of magmas erupted along the volcanic front. In addition, Nicaraguan magmas bear a strong chemical imprint from subducting hemipelagic sediments. The high-field-strength-element depletions of magmas from El Salvador through Costa Rica are related to local variations in the depth to the subducting Cocos plate, and, therefore, to segmentation of the volcanic front. Minor phases, probably amphibole or rutile, control these variable depletions. Silicic magmas erupted along the volcanic front exhibit the same along-arc geochemical variations as their mafic brethren. This and their mantle-like radiogenic isotopic compositions suggest the production of juvenile continental crust all along the Central American subduction zone. Punctuated times of enhanced magmatic input from the mantle may aid in crustal development.SOMMAIREL’Amérique centrale a récemment été le lieu de recherches sur les processus complexes se produisant dans les zones de subduction. Ici nous passons en revue certaines découvertes sur nature des intrants de subduction, la production et l’évolution des magmas, ainsi que les extrants volcaniques résultants. Dans le segment nicaraguayen de la zone de subduction, les intrants de subduction sont exceptionnellement humides, probablement à cause de la serpentinisation généralisée de la portion mantélique de la plaque en subduction, fissurée par flexure dans partie marine de la fosse océanique de l’Amérique centrale. L'afflux atypique en eau dans le segment nicaraguayen de la zone de subduction induit ultimement un maximum régional de la proportion de fusion du manteau. Dans la portion centrale du Costa Rica l’intrant de subduction est lui aussi atypique en ce qu’il comprend une croûte océanique teintée par le panache des Galápagos. Ces deux intrants de subduction atypiques sont répercutés dans la composition des magmas éjectés le long du front volcanique. En outre, les magmas nicaraguayens affichent une forte empreinte chimique héritée des sédiments hémipélagiques en subduction. Les appauvrissements en éléments à fortes liaisons atomiques des magmas, du El Salvador jusqu’au Costa Rica, sont liés à des variations localisées de la profondeur de la plaque en subduction de Cocos, et donc, à la segmentation du front volcanique. Des phases mineures, probablement amphibole et rutile, déterminent ces appauvrissements variables. Les magmas siliceux éjectés le long du même front volcanique montrent les mêmes variations géochimiques le long de l’arc que leur contrepartie mafique. De plus, les compositions radiogéniques de leurs contreparties mantéliques évoquent la production d’une croûte continentale juvénile le long de la zone de subduction de l’Amérique centrale. Des épisodes d’accroissements ponctuels des intrants magmatiques du manteau peuvent contribuer au développement d’une croûte.

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Age and origin of earliest adakitic-like magmatism in Panama: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the Panamanian magmatic arc system

Cited by 31 publications

References 100 publications

Tectono‐stratigraphic response of the Sandino Forearc Basin (N‐Costa Rica and W‐Nicaragua) to episodes of rough crust and oblique subduction

Tectono‐stratigraphic response of the Sandino Forearc Basin (N‐Costa Rica and W‐Nicaragua) to episodes of rough crust and oblique subduction

Exhumation of the Panama basement complex and basins: Implications for the closure of the Central American seaway

Igneous Rock Associations 13. Focusing on the Central American Subduction Zone

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