RT Journal Article
T1 Gravity modeling of the Muertos Trough and tectonic implications (north-eastern Caribbean)
A1 Granja Bruña, José Luis
A1 Muñoz Martín, Alfonso
A1 Ten Brink, Uri S.
A1 Carbo Gorosabel, Andrés
A1 Llanes Estrada, María Pilar
A1 Martín Dávila, José
A1 Córdoba Barba, Diego
A1 Catalán, Manuel
AB The Muertos Trough in the northeast Caribbean has been interpreted as a subduction zone from seismicity, leading to infer a possible reversal subduction polarity. However, the distribution of the seismicity is very diffuse and makes definition of the plate geometry difficult. In addition, the compressive deformational features observedin the upper crust and sandbox kinematic modeling do notnecessarily suggest a subduction process. We tested the hypothesized subduction of the Caribbean plate’s interiorbeneath the eastern Greater Antilles island arc using gravity modeling. Gravity models simulating a subductionprocess yield a regional mass deficit beneath the island arcindependently of the geometry and depth of the subducted slab used in the models. This mass deficit results from sinking of the less dense Caribbean slab beneath the lithospheric mantle replacing denser mantle materials and suggests that there is not a subducted Caribbean plateau beneath the island arc. The geologically more realistic gravity model which would explain the N–S shortening observed in the upper crust requires an overthrusted Caribbean slab extending at least 60 km northward from the deformation front, a progressive increase in the thrusting angle from 8 to 30 reaching a maximum depth of 22 km beneath the insular slope. This new tectonic model for the Muertos Margin, defined as a retroarc thrusting, will help to assess the seismic and tsunami hazard in the region. The use of gravity modeling has provided targets for future wide-angle seismic surveys in the Muertos Margin.
PB Springer Verlag
SN 0025-3235
YR 2010
FD 2010-11-08
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/41851
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/41851
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 17 abr 2025