Crustal and Upper Mantle anisotropy configuration of Northwestern South
America inferred from Local S and SKS Shear Wave Splitting measurements
Abstract
Seismic anisotropy parameters (φ, δt) were estimated between 2016 and
2021 using records from the Colombian National Seismological Network
(CNSN) stations and related to regional tectonic features in NW South
America. To achieve it, we studied the polarization of S-wave phases of
local events (associated with Nazca-South America and Caribbean-South
America subduction processes) and SKS phases of teleseismic events. The
local events used in this study are deeper than 70 km and Mw≥4.5. The
teleseismic events have epicentral distances between 90°-130° and
Mw≥6.5. We found seismic anisotropy linked to structural control in the
crust, suggesting a dominant S-wave polarization inside the faults
rather than polarization due to the regional tectonic field stress.
Erratic patterns of φ due to the possible presence of fluids in the
crust were interpreted, and orientations of asthenospheric flow under
the subducting slabs were inferred with a generalized
convergence-oriented SW-NE under NW South America.