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The Lithospheric Structure of the Central Andes (20–26°S) as Inferred from Interpretation of Regional Gravity

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Abstract

Isostatic calculations, inversion theory and 3D modelling were applied to the regional gravity database in a segment of the Central Andes between 20° and 26° S. It extends from the Peru Chile Trench in the Pacific Ocean in the west to the NW Argentinean Chaco Plains in the east. Characteristics of the Andean orogen are marked by a negative Bouguer anomaly of more than -450 mGal and great gravity anomalies even in a north-south direction. In this chapter, we present quantitative interpretations from analysis of the regional gravity field along that particular geotraverse which was compiled by the Berlin Research Group “Mobility of Active Continental Margins” and its partner institutions in South America. Tree-dimensional forward modelling as part of an integrated interpretation leads to a crustal depth of less than 70 km in the central part.

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© 1994 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Götze, HJ., Lahmeyer, B., Schmidt, S., Strunk, S. (1994). The Lithospheric Structure of the Central Andes (20–26°S) as Inferred from Interpretation of Regional Gravity. In: Reutter, KJ., Scheuber, E., Wigger, P.J. (eds) Tectonics of the Southern Central Andes. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77353-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77353-2_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-77355-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-77353-2

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