Remolino-El Charco Fault

The Remolino-El Charco Fault (Spanish: Falla de Remolino-El Charco) is a dextral strike-slip fault in the department of Nariño in Colombia. The fault has a total length of 148.7 kilometres (92.4 mi) and runs along an average northeast to southwest strike of 046.4 ± 6 in the Tumaco Basin along the Pacific Coast of Colombia.

Remolino-El Charco Fault
Falla de Remolino-El Charco
Etymology	Remolino Grande & El Charco
Location	Tumaco Basin
Coordinates	02°11′41.9″N 78°25′57.0″W
Country	Colombia
Region	Pacific/Chocó
State	Nariño
Cities	Tumaco
Characteristics
Part of	Pacific strike-slip faults
Length	148.7 km (92.4 mi)
Strike	046.4 ± 6
Dip	Vertical
Displacement	<0.2 mm (0.0079 in)/yr
Tectonics
Plate	North Andean
Status	Inactive
Type	Strike-slip fault
Movement	Dextral
Age	Quaternary
Orogeny	Andean

Etymology

The fault is named after Remolino Grande and El Charco, Nariño.

Description

The Remolino-El Charco Fault extends through the Pacific coastal lowlands and plains of Colombia to the east of the city of Tumaco. The fault begins in the southwesternmost point of Colombia and runs towards Guapi. It is close to and parallels the coast. It displaces alluvial fan sediments of the Patía, Mira, and Telembí Rivers and some Pleistocene marine terraces. The fault appears to be a southern continuation of the Naya-Micay Fault. The fault has a very well defined fault line on aerial photographs and satellite images. Pattern of deflection of streams suggests west side of fault is up.

See also

• List of earthquakes in Colombia
• Romeral Fault System
• Malpelo Plate

References

Bibliography

• Paris, Gabriel; Machette, Michael N.; Dart, Richard L.; Haller, Kathleen M. (2000a), Map and Database of Quaternary Faults and Folds in Colombia and its Offshore Regions (PDF), USGS, pp. 1–66, retrieved 2017-09-18

Maps

• Paris, Gabriel; Machette, Michael N.; Dart, Richard L.; Haller, Kathleen M. (2000b), Map of Quaternary Faults and Folds of Colombia and Its Offshore Regions (PDF), USGS, p. 1, retrieved 2017-09-18