The Cocos–Nazca spreading centre (or the Cocos–Nazca spreading system) is the divergent boundary between the Cocos and Nazca plates. It extends from close to the East Pacific Rise northwest of the Galápagos Islands, to the southeastern end of the Middle America Trench offshore Panama. The western part of this boundary is formed by the west–east Galápagos spreading centre, with the eastern part formed of two short spreading segments and three large transform segments, including the Panama fracture zone.[2][3][4]
Approximate surface projection on oceans of tectonic features near the Cocos–Nazca spreading centre. Shown are relevant present plate boundaries (white), named fracture zones (orange) and associated features (lighter orange). Click to expand to interactive map.[1]
References
edit- ^ General citations for named fracture zones are at page Wikipedia:Map data/Fracture zone and specific citations are in interactive detail.
- ^ Peirce, C.; Tedd, J.C.; Hobbs, R.W. (2023). "Structure and dynamics of the Ecuador Fracture Zone, Panama Basin". Geophysical Journal International. 235 (2): 1519–1540. doi:10.1093/gji/ggad315.
- ^ Baker, E.T.; Hayman, R.M.; Resing, J.A.; White, S.M.; Walker, S.L.; Macdonald, K.C.; Nakamura, K. (2008). "High-resolution surveys along the hot spot–affected Galápagos Spreading Center: 1. Distribution of hydrothermal activity". Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems. 9 (9). doi:10.1029/2008GC002028.
- ^ Harpp, K.S.; Wanless V.; Otto R.H.; Hoernle K.; Werner R. (2004). "The Cocos and Carnegie Aseismic Ridges: a Trace Element Record of Long-term Plume– Spreading Center Interaction". Journal of Petrology. 46 (1): 109–133. Bibcode:2005JPet...46..109H. doi:10.1093/petrology/egh064.