Tectonic evolution of the Tehuantepec Ridge

摘要

The Tehuantepec Ridge is one of the most prominent lithospheric structures of the Cocos Plate, yet its tectonic evolution has remained poorly constrained until now. Calculated ocean floor ages and spreading rates, morphostructural analysis of the ridge and the surrounding ocean floor are used to infer the tectonic evolution and pattern of the Tehuantepec Ridge and associated structures. The ocean floor age estimates south of the Tehuantepec Ridge suggest an age of similar to 26 Ma at the Middle America trench. A mean age difference across the Tehuantepec Ridge of similar to 7 Ma suggests that the Tehuantepec Ridge would be formed as a long transform fault on the Guadalupe plate, prior to 15 Ma.