The South American continental plate overrides the Chile Rise spreading center off the coast of southern Chile and the region is thought to have had a relatively simple geometry and geologic history since the late Cenozoic. Thus the region is one of the simplest areas in which to study the tectonically important processes of an active triple junction. This project will map and analyze faults and sedimentary strata that are the result of the Chile Rise collision. The data will be integrated with results from adjacent onland and offshore marine studies currently in progress by other investigators. The results of this study will provide important information on the geological consequences of ridge/continental plate collision.
