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Subduction-Related Igneous Activity in Central America – Its Nature, Causes and Consequences”

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Subduction-Related Igneous Activity in Central America – Its Nature, Causes and Consequences” Journal of Geosciences, 56 (2011), 1–7 DOI: 10.3190/jgeosci.089 Editorial Introduction to the special volume “Subduction-related igneous activity in Central America – its nature, causes and consequences” Petr HRADECKÝ Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic; [email protected] Received: 10 March 2011; accepted: 7 April 2011; handling editor: V. Janoušek (this contribution was not subject to a peer review) 1. Objectives of the Czech project in basement components are Chortis and Chorotega blocks Central America (Fig. 1). The Chortis Block is bordered by Motagua Fault Zone and Hess Escarpment in NW El Salvador and NE The regional research of Czech and Slovak geologists in Nicaragua, respectively. Its central part is underlain by Central America, under the auspices of the Ministry of Precambrian crust, separated from southern Mexico in the Environment of the Czech Republic and in the context Late Cretaceous–Paleogene (Mann et al. 2007). Eastern of Foreign Development Aid of the Czech Republic took Chortis Block in NW Nicaragua rests upon Jurassic place during several stages. The first, (1997–2001) con- metasediments (Honduras Group, Agua Fría Formation centrated on the Nicaraguan part of the Central America – Rogers 2003). The age of metamorphism remains a Volcanic Front (CAVF). As a result, a geological map matter of discussion in some areas. Crystalline basement of the recent volcanic belt was compiled on a scale of is covered by Late Cretaceous to Paleogene continental 1 : 200 000 (Hradecký and Šebesta eds. 2006). Further sediments (the Totogalpa Formation in Nicaragua) and stage focused on the highlands in central and northern basic volcanites (in the neighboring Honduras). Oc- parts of the country (2002–2009). Later, the research currences of metabasic rocks to the east of the Chortis activity extended to El Salvador (2003–2005 and 2007– Block in central Nicaragua are interpreted as oceanic arc 2009) and since 2006 also to Costa Rica (2006–2009). accreted to the Chortis Block in Late Cretaceous times The main emphasis was on geological studies and (Siuna Terrane, Ranero et al. 2000). In the Late Miocene, documentation of natural hazards in areas designated by entire Chortis Block was uplifted and the Siuna Terrane the foreign partners. Large body of data was obtained rocks are now exposed in small erosion windows. during the thirteen-year project, especially on the Ce- The Chorotega Block rests upon the thickened ocean nozoic volcanic sequences/plutons and metasediments. crust in Costa Rica. Continental crustal rocks are absent. Basic complex, i.e. peridotites, pillow basalts, basic in- trusives and pelagic sediments is interpreted as a vestige 2. Geotectonic setting of Central America of the Early Cretaceous ocean floor. Mesozoic picritic and brief outline of geology in basalts with 20 % of MgO, resembling komatiites, are Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador special features (Alvarado et al. 1997; Hauff et al. 2000). 2.1. Crystalline basement 2.2. Sedimentary cover (Mesozoic–Cenozoic) Opinions on the structure and tectonic development of The Late Cretaceous sediments, affected by several fold- Central America are being formulated since the 1940’s ing stages, are included in formations over the entire ter- (Weyl 1980). Ever since, the knowledge on geology, ritory of Costa Rica. At the Pacific coast, the main uplift structure, petrology, magmatic and volcanic processes phase took place soon thereafter. has advanced rapidly. In Nicaragua, a strip of sedimentary and mixed The individual areas of Central America differ espe- volcano-sedimentary rocks crops out in five formations cially in the nature of the basement. In studied areas, main of Late Cretaceous–Pliocene age along the Pacific coast www.jgeosci.org Petr Hradecký 87°00' 84°00' Maya Block Caribbean Northern Nicaraguan Rise Plate Polochic Fault Zone Fault e 15°00' on lt Z System Motagua Fau Southern Chortis Block Guayape Nicaraguan Rise 5 1 Siuna 2 Middle 3 Terrane American 12°00' Trench ent 12°00' Caribbean Large Escarpm N Igneous Province Hess Cocos 4 200 km Plate 09°00' Chorotega Block 90°00' 87°00' 84°00' Fig. 1 Topography and tectonic setting of the Central America. After Rogers et al. (2007), modified. Individual studied areas: 1) Ocotal–Dipilto Pluton; 2) Cerro Tijerina, Matagalpa; 3) Boaco–Santa Lucia; 4) Segment of the Cordillera de Tilarán; 5) San Salvador and segment of the Cor- dillera de Bálsamo. (Sandino Basin, Weyl 1980). Mesozoic volcanic rocks volcanic rocks, is of Miocene–Early Pleistocene age. In and folded sediments of the Metapán Group occur in the neighboring Cordillera de Aguacate also silicic rocks northern El Salvador. Jurassic and Cretaceous sequences are known. in El Salvador, correlated with similar developments in In El Salvador, the extinct arc volcanism includes in Guatemala and Honduras, have been recently confirmed the Chalatenango, Cuscatlán and Metapán formations palaeontologically. Paleocene Red Beds form the young- (Miocene–Pliocene) and differs from the recent CAVF est sediments in NE of El Salvador. by higher contents of MgO and Nb and lower Ba/La ra- tios of the lavas. This was interpreted as a consequence 2.3. Extinct arc-related igneous activity of decompression melting of the mantle that was only slightly by modified subduction (Walker 1981; Rapprich Remnants of the Oligocene–Miocene arc can be found and Hradecký 2005). throughout the Interior Highlands of Central America. Pa- The Cenozoic ignimbrites, which are common through- leogene to Pleistocene calc-alkaline volcanic rocks with an out the Central America, have varied composition. Welded extensive plateau of both silicic and andesitic ignimbrites and non-welded, they account for the bulk of silicic predominate in the central and NW Nicaragua (Fig. 2). The calderas remnants in the Nicaraguan inland, northern El main volcanic phase occurred in the Oligocene, when a Salvador and in the volcanic cordilleras of Costa Rica. number of rhyolite calderas were formed (Ehrenborg 1996). It is assumed that silicic magmas with high K2O/Na2O The Cordillera de Tilarán in Costa Rica (Fig. 3), built ratios could have formed by large-degree of fractionation by several formations of mostly basaltic and andesitic in deep crustal reservoirs or partial melting of mantle- 2 Subduction-related igneous activity, Central America a 87°00' 84°00' 87°00' 84°00' b Honduras Honduras Nicaraguan Highlands Lowlands 1 Sea Sea 2 Coast Nicaraguan 3 Caribbean Caribbean Mosquito 12°00' Depression 12°00' 12°00' 12°00' N Pacific Ocean Pacific 50 km 50 km 84°00' 87°00' 84°00' Ocean Costa Rica Active volcanoes Sediments (Cretaceous–Neogene) Quaternary sediments Oceanic crust (Lower Cretaceous) Volcanic rocks (Quaternary) Plutonic and metamorphic rocks Volcanic rocks (Miocene–Pliocene) State border Study areas Fig. 2 Topographic (a) and geological (b) sketches of Nicaragua. Geology modified from Weyl (1980). Studies areas: 1) Ocotal–Dipilto Pluton; 2) Cerro Tijerina, Matagalpa; 3) Boaco–Santa Lucia (i.e. the same numbers as in Fig. 1). Nicaragua Nicaragua Cordillera 85°00' 84°00' 83°00' a 85°00' 84°00' 83°00' b 11°00' 11°00' de Guanacaste Caribbean Cordillera Cordillera de Sea Tilarán Central 10°00' 10°00' Cordillera de Active volcanoes Talamanca Quaternary sediments 09°00' 09°00' Volcanic rocks (Quaternary) Pacific Ocean Plutonic and volcanic rocks (Miocene–Pliocene) Panama Panamá Sediments (Cretaceous–Neogene) 50 km 08°00' studied area 50 km Oceanic crust (Lower Cretaceous) 08°00' Fig. 3 Topographic (a) and geological (b) sketches of Costa Rica. Geology simplified from Denyer and Kussmaul (2006). Studied area is demarcated. 3 Petr Hradecký derived, lower crustal intrusions. Apart from melting of and/or partial melts from the subducted plate (Carr et the Chortis Block continental crust, extraction of silicic al. 2003). The crust is thin in Nicaragua and thus the residual melt from a crystalline mush crystallizing from magma is not very contaminated, largely preserving its mantle-derived magmas could have also contributed to pristine character. The Ba/La and U/Th ratios drop and, silicic ignimbrite formation in the areas underlain by the in contrast, La/Yb increase from NW Nicaragua along Chorotega Block ocean basement (Vogel et al. 2006). A the arc to both Costa Rica and El Salvador. The highest number of authors have studied the compositional vari- Ba/La and lowest La/Yb ratios in NW Nicaragua were ability and correlation of the Central American ignimbrite ascribed to highest subduction fluids flux and thus, higher formations (e.g.,Vogel et al. 2006; Hradecký 2006). extent of melting (Carr et al. 2003). On the other hand, Precambrian–Pliocene plutonic rocks (Harry and Green La/Th ratios increased towards central Costa Rica were 1999) form small bodies in the N and NW Costa Rica; interpreted to indicate gradually diminishing input from their largest occurrence represents the Cordillera de Tala- the slab-derived fluid (Carr et al. 2007). manca Massif. The relatively small Guacimal Pluton in the Scattered small volcanic centers of basic magma are Cordillera de Tilarán is Late Miocene in age. In northern located behind the active CAVF. The chemistry of lavas Nicaragua, the Cretaceous Ocotal/Dipilto Pluton extends to confirms an origin by decompression melting of OIB-like the Honduran territory and several small intrusive bodies mantle source, with only limited, and to the east rapidly are known in central and Pacific coastal parts of the coun- decreasing, subduction-related signal. Differences in try (e.g., San Juan del Río Coco and El Tránsito dyke). composition of subducting slab in the NW Nicaragua Granodiorite–granite Dulce Nombre de María Pluton in against NE area influenced by the Galápagos hot-spot has the centre of El Salvador and small monzonite stocks in been discussed by many workers (Walker 1981; Walker the north are only intrusive bodies in that country. et al.
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