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Unraveling Serpentinite Distribution in the Subduction Zone of NW South America

Description: 

Serpentine bodies, primarily formed through the hydration of mafic and ultramafic rocks, exhibit distinctive geophysical properties in the convergent margin of NW South America. This region features a complex subduction zone that includes a suture zone and a lithospheric tear, which control serpentinite outcrops' distribution and depth geometry. By analyzing gravity and magnetic anomalies, geothermal data, Vp/Vs ratio tomography, and magnetotelluric and gas measurements, we investigated the subsurface connections of serpentinite bodies, particularly within the Romeral Suture Zone (RSZ) and the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. The main findings indicate that serpentinite occurrences are associated with specific geophysical anomalies and seismicity patterns, highlighting their role in subduction dynamics. Vp/Vs ratio tomography and space-time variations of apparent resistivity reveal deeper serpentinite diapirism on both sides of the volcanic arc, likely linked to buoyant advection from the subducted plates, affecting magmatism and earthquake distribution. The Caldas Tear could respond to the subduction geometry and the distribution of serpentinites, suggesting an interaction between tectonic processes and serpentinization. These insights enhance the understanding of subduction zone mechanics and the natural hydrogen occurrences linked to serpentinized rocks, contributing to the broader knowledge of geotectonic evolution in subduction environments.

Session: Earth’s Structure from the Crust to the Core - I

Type: Oral

Date: 4/16/2025

Presentation Time: 09:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Carlos

Student Presenter: No

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