Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Arc-parallel flow in the mantle wedge beneath Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Nature volume 451, pages 1094–1097 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Resolving flow geometry in the mantle wedge is central to understanding the thermal and chemical structure of subduction zones, subducting plate dehydration, and melting that leads to arc volcanism, which can threaten large populations and alter climate through gas and particle emission. Here we show that isotope geochemistry and seismic velocity anisotropy provide strong evidence for trench-parallel flow in the mantle wedge beneath Costa Rica and Nicaragua. This finding contradicts classical models, which predict trench-normal flow owing to the overlying wedge mantle being dragged downwards by the subducting plate. The isotopic signature of central Costa Rican volcanic rocks is not consistent with its derivation from the mantle wedge1,2,3 or eroded fore-arc complexes4 but instead from seamounts of the Galapagos hotspot track on the subducting Cocos plate. This isotopic signature decreases continuously from central Costa Rica to northwestern Nicaragua. As the age of the isotopic signature beneath Costa Rica can be constrained and its transport distance is known, minimum northwestward flow rates can be estimated (63–190 mm yr-1) and are comparable to the magnitude of subducting Cocos plate motion (∼85 mm yr-1). Trench-parallel flow needs to be taken into account in models evaluating thermal and chemical structure and melt generation in subduction zones.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1: Reference map of Central America illustrating the subduction of the Galapagos hotspot Seamount province beneath central Costa Rica and the westward migration of the volcanic arc that extends from Costa Rica to southwestern Guatemala.
Figure 2: Systematic variation in lead and neodymium isotopic composition along the volcanic front from Costa Rica to northwest Nicaragua indicates northwestward flow of mantle wedge material.
Figure 3: Model of anisotropy obtained by inverting shear-wave splitting measurements from events in the Nicaragua (NIC)-Costa Rica (CR) subduction zone.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Feigenson, M. D., Carr, M. J., Maharaj, S. V., Juliano, S. & Bolge, L. L. Lead isotope composition of Central American volcanoes: Influence of the Galapagos plume. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 5 Q06001 10.1029/2003GC000621 (2004)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Herrstrom, E. A., Reagan, M. K. & Morris, J. D. Variations in lava composition associated with flow of asthenosphere beneath southern Central America. Geology 23, 617–620 (1995)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Abratis, M. & Wörner, G. Ridge collision, slab window formation, and the flux of Pacific asthenosphere into the Caribbean realm. Geol. Soc. Am. 29, 127–130 (2001)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Goss, A. R. & Kay, S. M. Steep REE patterns and enriched Pb isotopes in southern Central American arc magmas: Evidence for forearc subduction erosion? Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 7 Q05016 10.1029/2005GC001163 (2006)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Jung, H. & Karato, S.-i. Water-induced fabric transition in olivine. Science 293, 1460–1463 (2001)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kneller, E. A., van Keken, P. E., Karato, S.-i. & Park, J. B-type olivine fabric in the mantle wedge: Insights from high-resolution non-Newtonian subduction zone models. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 237, 781–797 (2005)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Nakajima, J., Shimizu, J., Hori, S. & Hasegawa, A. Shear-wave splitting beneath the southwestern Kurile arc and northeastern Japan arc: A new insight into mantle return flow. Geophys. Res. Lett. 33 L05305 10.1029/2005GL025053 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Long, M. D. & van der Hilst, R. D. Upper mantle anisotropy beneath Japan from shear wave splitting. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 151, 206–222 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Smith, G. P. et al. A complex pattern of mantle flow in the Lau backarc. Science 292, 713–716 (2001)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Levin, V., Droznin, D., Park, J. & Gordeev, E. Detailed mapping of seismic anisotropy with local shear waves in southeastern Kamchatka. Geophys. J. Int. 158, 1009–1023 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Anderson, M. L., Zandt, G. & Wagner, L. Along-strike mantle flow variations in a segment of the South American subduction zone, Chile and Argentina. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. (submitted)

  12. Pozgay, S. H., Wiens, D. A., Conder, J. A., Shiobara, H. & Sugioka, H. Complex mantle flow in the Mariana subduction system: Evidence from shear wave splitting. Geophys. J. Int. 107, 371–386 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hall, C. E., Fischer, K. M. & Parmentier, E. M. The influence of plate motions on three dimensional back-arc mantle flow and shear wave splitting. J. Geophys. Res. 105, 28009–28033 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Holtzman, B. K. et al. Melt segregation and strain partitioning: Implications for seismic anisotropy and mantle flow. Science 301, 1227–1230 (2003)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Behn, M. D., Hirth, G. & Kelemen, P. B. Trench-parallel anisotropy produced by foundering of arc lower crust. Science 317, 108–111 (2007)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kneller, E. A. & van Keken, P. E. Trench-parallel flow and seismic anisotropy in the Mariana and Andean subduction systems. Nature 450, 1222–1225 (2007)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Reagan, M. K. & Gill, J. B. Coexisting calcalkaline and high-niobium basalts from Turrialba volcano, Costa Rica: Implications for residual titanates in arc magma sources. J. Geophys. Res. 94, 4619–4633 (1989)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hoernle, K. A., Werner, R., Phipps Morgan, J., Bryce, J. & Mrazek, J. Existence of a complex spatial zonation in the Galápagos plume for at least 14.5 Ma. Geology 28, 435–438 (2000)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Werner, R., Hoernle, K., Barckhausen, U. & Hauff, F. Geodynamic evolution of the Galapagos hot spot system (Central East Pacific) over the past 20 m.y.: Constraints from morphology, geochemistry, and magnetic anomalies. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 4 10.1029/2003GC000576 (2003)

  20. Defant, M. J. et al. The geology and geochemistry of El Valle volcano, Panama: Andesite and dacite genesis via contrasting processes. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 106, 309–324 (1991)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. MacMillan, I., Gans, P. B. & Alvarado, G. Middle Miocene to present plate tectonic history of southern Central American volcanic arc. Tectonophysics 392, 325–348 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. Hoernle, K., Hauff, F. & van den Bogaard, P. 70 m.y. history (139–69 Ma) for the Caribbean large igneous province. Geology 32, 697–700 (2004)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. Hauff, F., Hoernle, K. A., van den Bogaard, P., Alvarado, G. E. & Garbe-Schönberg, D. Age and geochemistry of basaltic complexes in Western Costa Rica: Contributions to the geotectonic evolution of Central America. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 1 10.1029/1999GC000020 (2000)

  24. Hoernle, K. A. et al. The missing history (16–71 Ma) of the Galápagos hotspot: Implications for the tectonic and biological evolution of the Americas. Geology 30, 795–798 (2002)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. Patino, L. C., Carr, M. J. & Feigenson, M. D. Local and regional variations in Central American arc lavas controlled by variations in subducted sediment input. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 138, 265–283 (2000)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. Carr, M. J., Feigenson, M. D. & Bennett, E. A. Incompatible element and isotopic evidence for tectonic control of source mixing and melt extraction along the Central American arc. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 105, 369–380 (1990)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kimura, G. et al. SITE 1039 (Ch. 3); SITE 1040 (Ch. 4). Proc. ODP Init. Rep. 170, 45–152 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Abt, D. L. & Fischer, K. M. Resolving three-dimensional anisotropic structure with shear-wave splitting tomography. Geophys. J. Int. (submitted)

  29. Turner, H. L. et al. Kinematics of the Nicaraguan forearc from GPS geodesy. Geophys. Res. Lett. 34 L02302 10.1029/2006GL027586 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. Alvarado, G. E. et al. in Central America: Geology, Resources and Hazards (eds Bundschuh, J. & Avarado, G.) 345–394 (Taylor and Francis, Leiden, 2007)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Hoernle, K. A. & Tilton, G. R. Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data for Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) basal complex and subaerial volcanics: Applications to magma genesis and evolution. Schweiz. Mineral. Petrogr. Mitt. 71, 3–18 (1991)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Todt, W., Cliff, R. A., Hanser, A. & Hofmann, A. W. in Earth Processes: Reading the Isotopic Code (eds Basu, A. & Hart, S.) 429–437 (AGU Geophys. Monogr. Ser. 95, American Geophysical Union, Washington DC, 1996)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Silver, P. G. & Chan, W. W. Shear wave splitting and subcontinental mantle deformation. J. Geophys. Res. 96, 16429–16454 (1991)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. Frisillo, A. L. & Barsch, G. R. Measurement of single-crystal elastic constants of bronzite as a function of pressure and temperature. J. Geophys. Res. 77, 6360–6384 (1972)

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  35. Anderson, O. L. & Isaak, D. G. in Mineral Physics and Crystallography: A Handbook of Physical Constants (ed. Ahrens, T. J.) 64–97 (American Geophysical Union, Washington DC, 1995)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Abramson, E. H., Brown, J. M., Slutsky, L. J. & Zaug, J. The elastic constants of San Carlos olivine to 17 GPa. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 12253–12263 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. Fischer, K. M., Parmentier, E. M., Stein, A. R. & Wolf, E. R. Modeling anisotropy and plate-driven flow in the Tonga subduction zone back arc. J. Geophys. Res. 105, 16181–16191 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Reviewers (J. Walker and S. Schwartz), J. Phipps-Morgan, T. Plank, R. Werner, M. Portnyagin and members of SFB574 and MARGINS are thanked for comments/discussions that helped significantly improve the manuscript. The IRIS PASSCAL programme provided seismometers and technical assistance to the TUCAN experiment. This research was supported by the German Science Foundation Collaborative Research Centre (SFB574) and the National Science Foundation MARGINS programme.

Author Contributions K.H., D.L.A. and K.M.F. collected samples/data, processed and interpreted the data, developed the ideas and wrote the paper, with significant input from G.A.A. and discussions with other co-authors. H.N., F.H. and K.H. generated the geochemical data and P.v.d.B. age data. G.A.A., M.P. and W.S. were key in collecting the seismic data; P.v.d.B., G.A. and H.N. assisted in the collection of the volcanic samples. Central American partners provided geological overviews and logistical support.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Geoffrey A. Abers

    Present address: Present address: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964, USA.,

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SFB 574,,

    Kaj Hoernle, Holly Nichols, Paul van den Bogaard & Ken Heydolph

  2. Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR), University of Kiel, Wischhofstrasse 1-3, Kiel 24148, Germany,

    Kaj Hoernle, Folkmar Hauff & Paul van den Bogaard

  3. Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Box 1846, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA,

    David L. Abt & Karen M. Fischer

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, Boston University, 675 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA,

    Geoffrey A. Abers

  5. Observatorio Sismológico y Vulcanológico de Arenal y Miravalles (OSIVAM), Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), Apdo. 10032-1000, Costa Rica

    Guillermo Alvarado

  6. Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional, Apdo. 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica,

    Marino Protti

  7. Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales, Apdo. 2110, Managua, Nicaragua,

    Wilfried Strauch

Authors
  1. Kaj Hoernle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David L. Abt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Karen M. Fischer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Holly Nichols
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Folkmar Hauff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Geoffrey A. Abers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Paul van den Bogaard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Ken Heydolph
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Guillermo Alvarado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Marino Protti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Wilfried Strauch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kaj Hoernle.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information 1

The file contains Section 1 of the Supplementary Information concerning Geochemistry. It includes Supplementary Discussion on the role of sediments in influencing isotopic variation in volcanic arc lavas and Supplementary Figures S1.1-S1.2. (PDF 3503 kb)

Supplementary Information 2

The file contains Section 2 of the Supplementary Information concerning Seismology. It includes Supplementary Discussion on the interpretation of seismic anisotropy measurements and tomographic models and Supplementary Figures S2.1-S2.4. (PDF 4158 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hoernle, K., Abt, D., Fischer, K. et al. Arc-parallel flow in the mantle wedge beneath Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Nature 451, 1094–1097 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06550

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06550

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing