Paleomagnetic Investigation of the Atacama Fault, Chile

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Strike-slip faults commonly occur in oblique convergence settings resulting in significant margin-parallel translation. The western coast of South America is an example where both sinistral dextral strike-slip faulting of Jurassic to the recent is expected. However, existing paleomagnetic data indicates local rotations of blocks but little translation along the large orogen-parallel Atacama Fault. This project will investigate layered volcanic rocks ranging in age from Jurassic to mid-Tertiary to detect and interpret rotations and translations along poorly known portion of the fault. Results are expected to document the role of tectonic translations in this active orogen and to shed light on the curious preliminary result of rotations but little translations along this major orogen-parallel fault.