The Northern Central Andes and Andean tectonic evolution revisited: An integrated stratigraphic and structural model of three superimposed orogens
Abstract
The mechanism for crustal thickening and superposition of several orogens is critical for understanding the growth of mountain ranges. Our study focuses on a trans-orogen crustal cross-section to revisit the Andean tectonic evolution in the Northern Central Andes (5°-8°S). It is based on a review of the geological setting, the definition of long-term tectono-sedimentary successions, and for the first time, a crustal balanced cross-section 895 km long through the entire orogen. We show that the Northern Central Andes were born in the Jurassic, and correspond to the superposition of several orogens representing a minimum total shortening of ∼207 km. They were built over 180 Ma during three orogenic periods (180–140 Ma; 100–50 Ma; 30–0 Ma), separated by two post-orogenic periods during which most Andean relieves were erased (140–100 Ma; 50–30 Ma). Each post-orogenic period was recorded by 1) a major regional erosional unconformity sealed by a widespread marine transgression, and 2) extensional tectonics in the forearc. Crustal shortening was driven by westward South America Plate displacement and continental crustal underthrusting, and not by oceanic subduction. The propagation of the Andean wedge has been controlled by successive inversions of two pre-existing rifts. The sequential restoration of the trans-orogen balanced cross-section, constrained by the sedimentary record, provides a realistic picture of each orogenic and post-orogenic stage. For the first time, the pre-Neogene basins are reconstructed respecting the Andean shortening. The first-order factors that have controlled the complex growth evolution of Northern Central Andes are South America Plate dynamics changes associated with shifts in the geometry of the subducting oceanic slab. Some correlations can be established with Phanerozoic climate changes.
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BibTeX
@article{baby2026northern,
title = {{The Northern Central Andes and Andean tectonic evolution revisited: An integrated stratigraphic and structural model of three superimposed orogens}},
author = {Patrice Baby and Alice Prudhomme and Stéphane Brusset and Alexandra Robert and Martin Roddaz and Ysabel Calderon and Adrien Eude and Willy Gil and Wilber Hermoza and Christian Hurtado and Stephanie Brichau and Gérôme Calvès and Pierre-Olivier Antoine and Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi},
journal = {Earth-Science Reviews},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.earscirev.2024.104998},
url = {https://hal.umontpellier.fr/hal-04843002v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Northern Central Andes and Andean tectonic evolution revisited: An integrated stratigraphic and structural model of three superimposed orogens
AU - Patrice Baby
AU - Alice Prudhomme
AU - Stéphane Brusset
AU - Alexandra Robert
AU - Martin Roddaz
AU - Ysabel Calderon
AU - Adrien Eude
AU - Willy Gil
AU - Wilber Hermoza
AU - Christian Hurtado
AU - Stephanie Brichau
AU - Gérôme Calvès
AU - Pierre-Olivier Antoine
AU - Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/02
JO - Earth-Science Reviews
DO - 10.1016/j.earscirev.2024.104998
UR - https://hal.umontpellier.fr/hal-04843002v1
AB - The mechanism for crustal thickening and superposition of several orogens is critical for understanding the growth of mountain ranges. Our study focuses on a trans-orogen crustal cross-section to revisit the Andean tectonic evolution in the Northern Central Andes (5°-8°S). It is based on a review of the geological setting, the definition of long-term tectono-sedimentary successions, and for the first time, a crustal balanced cross-section 895 km long through the entire orogen. We show that the Northern Central Andes were born in the Jurassic, and correspond to the superposition of several orogens representing a minimum total shortening of ∼207 km. They were built over 180 Ma during three orogenic periods (180–140 Ma; 100–50 Ma; 30–0 Ma), separated by two post-orogenic periods during which most Andean relieves were erased (140–100 Ma; 50–30 Ma). Each post-orogenic period was recorded by 1) a major regional erosional unconformity sealed by a widespread marine transgression, and 2) extensional tectonics in the forearc. Crustal shortening was driven by westward South America Plate displacement and continental crustal underthrusting, and not by oceanic subduction. The propagation of the Andean wedge has been controlled by successive inversions of two pre-existing rifts. The sequential restoration of the trans-orogen balanced cross-section, constrained by the sedimentary record, provides a realistic picture of each orogenic and post-orogenic stage. For the first time, the pre-Neogene basins are reconstructed respecting the Andean shortening. The first-order factors that have controlled the complex growth evolution of Northern Central Andes are South America Plate dynamics changes associated with shifts in the geometry of the subducting oceanic slab. Some correlations can be established with Phanerozoic climate changes.
SN - 0012-8252
SN - 1872-6828
ER -