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1.
The convergent plate margin off the Osa peninsula in southern Costa Rica is characterized by the indentation of the Cocos ridge at 4–5 Ma. The indentation causes the uplift of the Osa mélange which we interpret to represent an exhumed major channel for the transport of tectonically eroded material down into the subduction zone. We present evidence that, similar to the Nicoya segment of the Costa Rica convergent margin, subduction erosion rather than accretion has been the dominant process along the plate boundary. The composition of the Osa mélange is dominated by tectonized material of the upper-plate Nicoya ophiolite complex (basalt, radiolarite, limestone). Strong deformation is concentrated in numerous discrete shear zones and produced the layered fabric of large rock volumes, which partly experienced temperatures > 200°C. We thus interpret the Osa mélange to be a product of subduction erosion at the base of the outer arc wedge structure. 相似文献
2.
Thermal anomalies in tectonically active areas are often attributed to sub-seafloor fluid circulation and faulting mechanisms, particularly in subduction zones where the largest thrust earthquakes occur. Postseismic fluid flow is enabled by the poroelastic response of the fault system to the earthquake's strain field, as well as by the rupturing of permeability barriers in the vicinity of the fault zone. We investigated the relative importance of these mechanisms on postseismic pore-pressure diffusion and advective heat transport in the subduction zone setting. A two-dimensional numerical fluid flow and heat transport model was developed for the Costa Rica subduction zone offshore of the Nicoya Peninsula. The flow and transport model was coupled with an earthquake strain model to quantify the effects of coseismic strain and permeability enhancement on fluid pressures and temperatures within the Costa Rica margin. Coseismic changes in pore pressure and postseismic pore-pressure diffusion were found to be sensitive to the compressibility of the porous medium, and patterns of pore-pressure recovery were more complex than that predicted by theoretical faulting models. Coseismic contraction and extension of the crust produced high fluid pressures close to the fault, while the inflow of fluid from depth increased fluid pressures several years following the simulated fault slip. Crustal deformation alone was not observed to perturb the temperature field. Laterally extensive permeability increases of two orders of magnitude along the décollement were required to produce small changes in heat flow. Local permeability changes in the upper slope region of least five orders of magnitude were necessary to noticeably affect heat flow. The results of the numerical simulations may help to refine conceptual faulting models and provide guidance for locating long-term hydrologic monitoring sites at Costa Rica and other subduction zones. 相似文献
3.
Martin Thorwart Yvonne Dzierma Wolfgang Rabbel Christian Hensen 《International Journal of Earth Sciences》2014,103(7):1789-1799
At the continental margin of north Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the strongly hydrated Cocos Plate subducts beneath the Caribbean Plate. From the downgoing Cocos plate fluids are released through extensional fractures in the overriding plate. At the seafloor, they form fluid seeps, mounds and other types of fluid expulsion. Using an offshore temporary seismic network, we investigated seismicity possibly related to these processes and observed several swarms of earthquakes located on the continental slope trenchward of the seismogenic zone of S Nicaragua. The seismicity occurred within the downgoing plate, near the plate interface and in the overriding plate. We interpret these swarm events as an expression of pore pressure propagation under critical stress conditions driven by fluid release from the downgoing plate. In order to estimate hydraulic diffusivity and permeability values, we applied a theory developed for injection test interpretation to the spatio-temporal development of the swarms. The resulting diffusivity and permeability values are in the ranges of 28–305 m²/s and 3.2 × 10?14 m²–35.1 × 10?14 m², respectively, applying to the continental and oceanic crust near the plate interface. These values are somewhat larger than observed in drill logs on the margin wedge off north Costa Rica, but of comparable magnitude to values estimated for the Antofagasta 1995 earthquake aftershock sequence. 相似文献
4.
Ivonne G. Arroyo Stephan Husen Ernst R. Flueh 《International Journal of Earth Sciences》2014,103(7):1747-1764
Transition from subduction of normal to thickened oceanic crust occurs in the central portion of the Costa Rican margin, where large interplate earthquakes (M ~ 7) and abundant interseismic seismicity have been associated with subduction of bathymetric highs. We relocated ~1,300 earthquakes recorded for 6 months by a combined on- and offshore seismological network using probabilistic earthquake relocation in a 3D P-wave velocity model. Most of the seismicity originated at the seismogenic zone of the plate boundary, appearing as an 18° dipping, planar cluster from 15 to 25–30 km depth, beneath the continental shelf. Several reverse focal mechanisms were resolved within the cluster. The upper limit of this interseismic interplate seismicity seems to be controlled primarily by the overlying-plate thickness and coherency, which in turn is governed by the erosional processes and fluid release and escape at temperatures lower than ~100 to 120 °C along the plate boundary. The downdip limit of the stick–slip behaviour collocates with relative low temperatures of ~150 to 200 °C, suggesting that it is controlled by serpentinization of the mantle wedge. The distribution of the interseismic interplate seismicity is locally modified by the presence of subducted seamounts at different depths. Unlike in northern Costa Rica, rupture of large earthquakes in the last two decades seems to coincide with the area defined by the interseismic interplate seismicity. 相似文献
5.
Iron-rich smectite is commonly described in the diagenetic fraction of deep-sea sediment, as millimeter to centimeter aggregates dispersed in the sediment, or as a coating on sedimentary particles or nodules. This study examines several factors to elucidate formation mechanisms of a particular iron-rich smectite and its potential transformation to glauconite. The study combines a detailed mineralogical investigation on natural samples and a chemical modeling approach to assess mineralogical reactions and pathways.Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations and analytical electron microscopy (TEM-AEM) analyses were conducted on microtomed samples of millimeter- to centimeter-long green grains. These grains are widespread in pelagic calcareous sediment from the Costa Rica margin. They are composed of pyrites that are partially dissolved and are surrounded by amorphous or very poorly crystallized iron-rich particles. Iron-rich montmorillonite grows from an amorphous precursor and its formation requires the input of Si, O, Mg, K, Na and Ca; our results suggest that these inputs are supported by the dissolution of sedimentary phases such as volcanic glasses, siliceous fossils and silicates.Thermodynamic modeling of fluid-sediment interactions was conducted with the geochemical computer code PhreeqC, using mineralogical and pore fluid compositions from sediment samples and calculated estimates for thermodynamic constants of smectites that are not maintained by the computer code. Simulations confirm the possibility that the green grains are the product of pyrite alteration by seawater under oxidizing conditions. The extent of smectite production is controlled by the kinetics of pyrite dissolution and fluid migration. The absence of aluminum in the Costa Rica margin system explains the formation of an iron-rich montmorillonite instead of glauconite, whereas the presence of calcite that buffers the system explains the formation of an iron-rich montmorillonite instead of iron oxides. 相似文献
6.
This paper investigates the isotopic composition (O, D, Sr, OSO4, SSO4, Cl, He) of a present saline fluid sample collected at the sediment/basement interface in the Permian continental formation at 634 m depth in the SE margin of the Massif Central shield (Ardèche margin of the Southeast basin of France). The fluid sample shows clear water–rock interaction processes, such as feldspar dissolution and kaolinite precipitation, which have led to high Na concentrations and water stable isotopes above the local meteoric water line. The geological formations of the SE margin of the Massif Central shield show that intensive fluid circulation phases occurred across the margin from the late Triassic to the middle Jurassic. The fluids most probably originated from fluid expulsion during burial of the thick Permo-Carboniferous sedimentary succession. These circulation phases were responsible for cementation of the margin and for the solutes in the matrix microporosity which were extracted by leaching core samples.The chemical and isotopic composition of the saline fluid sample at 634 m in the Permian rock is very similar to that of fluids in the microporosity of the rock matrix. Their SSO4, OSO4 and Sr isotopic compositions are close to those of cements investigated in fracture fillings in the same geological formations. Simple diffusion computations and comparison of the chemical composition of the present free fluid sample with matrix porosity fluids indicate that the solutes in the present free fluid sample are related to solutes originating from fluid circulation events which occurred 160–200 Ma ago through their diffusion from the matrix microporosity.A two-stage fluid flow regime is proposed to interpret the chemistry of present and paleo-fluids. (1) During the extensional context (Permian to Cretaceous), basinal brines migrated along the basement/sediment interface after expulsion from the subsiding basin. This fluid migration would be responsible for the solutes in the rock matrix microporosity and the solutes in the present free fluid sample. (2) Following the Alpine and Pyrenean compressive phases, gravity-driven meteoritic fluids slowly migrated from the surface down to the basement along major faults. This fluid regime would be responsible for the meteoric water collected in the present free fluid sample. Several investigations in Europe have shown that the existence of other saline fluids sampled elsewhere could be explained by these phases of fluid circulation related to specific geodynamic events. 相似文献
7.
2011年3月13日至4月13日哥斯达黎加地震起源计划IODP334航次在中美洲哥斯达黎加俯冲带大陆边缘斜坡带实施。该航次的主要科学目标是研究俯冲剥蚀控制的俯冲带大地震的聚集和破裂过程。在1个月的钻探时间内,总共在4个站位、8个钻孔中获得1492．88m的岩芯,获得许多中新世到现代的火山灰层,初步确定上覆板块内沉积物和... 相似文献
8.
ABSTRACT Distribution patterns of benthic foraminiferal faunas from ODP Leg 170 Sites 1041 and 1042 show that the Costa Rican convergent margin subsided from coastal to abyssal depth from Middle Miocene to Present. This favours the model of a margin undergoing active subduction erosion. We propose that subduction erosion leads to the removal of material from the base of the forearc wedge and, as a consequence, to progressive subsidence of the forearc. A mean subsidence rate is estimated to be approximately 0.4 mm yr−1 . 相似文献
9.
A probabilistic eruption forecast is provided for seven historically active volcanoes along the Central American Volcanic Arc (CAVA), as a pivotal empirical contribution to multi-disciplinary volcanic hazards assessment. The eruption probabilities are determined with a Kaplan–Meier estimator of survival functions, and parametric time series models are applied to describe the historical eruption records. Aside from the volcanoes that are currently in a state of eruptive activity (Santa María, Fuego, and Arenal), the highest probabilities for eruptions of VEI ≥ 2 occur at Concepción and Cerro Negro in Nicaragua, which are likely to erupt to 70–85 % within the next 10 years. Poás and Irazú in Costa Rica show a medium to high eruption probability, followed by San Miguel (El Salvador), Rincón de la Vieja (Costa Rica), and Izalco (El Salvador; 24 % within the next 10 years). 相似文献
10.
Northwestern Costa Rica is built upon an oceanic plateau that has developed chemical and geophysical characteristics of the
upper continental crust. A major factor in converting the oceanic plateau to continental crust is the production, evolution,
and emplacement of silicic magmas. In Costa Rica, the Caribbean Large Igneous Province (CLIP) forms the overriding plate in
the subduction of the Cocos Plate—a process that has occurred for at least the last 25 my. Igneous rocks in Costa Rica older
than about 8 Ma have chemical compositions typical of ocean island basalts and intra-oceanic arcs. In contrast, younger igneous
deposits contain abundant silicic rocks, which are significantly enriched in SiO2, alkalis, and light rare-earth elements and are geochemically similar to the average upper continental crust. Geophysical
evidence (high Vp seismic velocities) also indicates a relatively thick (~40 km), addition of evolved igneous rocks to the
CLIP. The silicic deposits of NW Costa Rica occur in two major compositional groups: a high-Ti and a low-Ti group with no
overlap between the two. The major and trace element characteristics of these groups are consistent with these magmas being
derived from liquids that were extracted from crystal mushes—either produced by crystallization or by partial melting of plutons
near their solidi. In relative terms, the high-Ti silicic liquids were extracted from a hot, dry crystal mush with low oxygen
fugacity, where plagioclase and pyroxene were the dominant phases crystallizing, along with lesser amounts of hornblende.
In contrast, the low-Ti silicic liquids were extracted from a cool, wet crystal mush with high oxygen fugacity, where plagioclase
and amphibole were the dominant phases crystallizing. The hot-dry-reducing magmas dominate the older sequence, but the youngest
sequence contains only magmas from the cold-wet-oxidized group. Silicic volcanic deposits from other oceanic arcs (e.g., Izu-Bonin,
Marianas) have chemical characteristics distinctly different from continental crust, whereas the NW Costa Rican silicic deposits
have chemical characteristics nearly identical to the upper continental crust. The transition in NW Costa Rica from mafic
oceanic arc and intra-oceanic magma to felsic, upper continental crust-type magma is governed by a combination of several
important factors that may be absent in other arc settings: (1) thermal maturation of the thick Caribbean plateau, (2) regional
or local crustal extension, and (3) establishment of an upper crustal reservoir. 相似文献
11.
Natural Hazards - International and domestic tourism is a growing industry in Costa Rica, with the most attractive places located along the coast. Despite their beauty, Costa Rican beaches can pose... 相似文献
12.
Jacques Bourgois Jacques Azema Peter O. Baumgartner Jean Tournon Alain Desmet Jean Aubouin 《Tectonophysics》1984,108(1-2)
The Pre-Upper Senonian basement of Costa Rica crops out in the Santa Elena and Nicoya peninsulas. From south to north and from base to top the basement includes: the Esperanza, Matapalo and Santa Elena units. The Esperanza unit is Albian-Santonian in age and consists mainly of pillow basalt and massive basalt flows. The Matapalo unit includes Callovian to Cenomanian radiolarite and includes massive basalt flows, basalt, and dolerite basement. The Santa Elena unit contains ultramafic and mafic rocks in which harzburgite is the major component. The most important tectonic features of the Nicoya Complex are the large Santa Elena and Matapalo nappes. Nappe emplacement was from north to south during upper Santonian time. The sedimentary cover of the Nicoya Complex comprises:
- 1. (1) the Campanian El Viejo Formation that consists of shallow-water sediments in the north (Santa Elena Peninsula) and the Campanian-Maastrichtian Sabana Grande Formation of deep-water origin in the South (Nicoya Peninsula);
- 2. (2) Paleocene strata indicating deposition in a deep-water environment comprises the Rivas, Las Palmas and Samara Formations;
- 3. (3) a post-upper Eocene (?) sequence that consists of the shallow-water Barra Honda and Montezuma Formations.
13.
Silvia E. Chacón-Barrantes Marino Protti 《Journal of South American Earth Sciences》2011,31(4):372-382
Although subduction zones around the world are known to be the source of earthquakes and/or tsunamis, not all segments of these plate boundaries generate destructive earthquakes and catastrophic tsunamis. Costa Rica, in Central America, has subduction zones on both the Pacific and the Caribbean coasts and, even though large earthquakes (Mw = 7.4–7.8) occur in these convergent margins, they do not produce destructive tsunamis. The reason for this is that the seismogenic zones of the segments of the subduction zones that produce large earthquakes in Costa Rica are located beneath land (Nicoya peninsula, Osa peninsula and south of Limón) and not off shore as in most subduction zones around the world. To illustrate this particularity of Costa Rican subduction zones, we show in this work the case for the largest rupture area in Costa Rica (under the Nicoya peninsula), capable of producing Mw ～ 7.8 earthquakes, but the tsunamis it triggers are small and present little potential for damage even to the largest port city in Costa Rica.The Nicoya seismic gap, in NW Costa Rica, has passed its ～50-year interseismic period and therefore a large earthquake will have to occur there in the near future. The last large earthquake, in 1950 generated a tsunami which slightly affected the southwest coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. We present here a simulation to study the possible consequences that a tsunami generated by the next Nicoya earthquake could have for the city of Puntarenas. Puntarenas has a population of approximately eleven thousand people and is located on a 7.5 km long sand bar with a maximum height of 2 m above the mean sea level. This condition makes Puntarenas vulnerable to tsunamis. 相似文献
14.
We use acceleration data from the Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (OVSICORI-UNA) and Laboratorio de Ingenieria Sismica, Universidad de Costa Rica (LIS-UCR) seismic network for the relocation and moment-tensor solution of the September 5, 2012, 14:42:03.35 UTC, Nicoya, Costa Rica earthquake (Mw 7.6 GCMT). Using different relocation methods we found a stable earthquake hypocenter, near the original OVSICORI-UNA location in the Nicoya Peninsula, NW Costa Rica at Lat 9.6943°N, Lon 85.5689°W, depth 15.3 km, associated with the subduction of the Cocos plate under Caribbean plate. Acceleration records at OVSICORI-UNA and LIS-UCR stations (94–171 km), at 0.03 < f < 0.06 Hz were used in the waveform inversion for a single-point centroid moment tensor (CMT). Using spatial grid search the centroid position was found at the depth of 30 km, situated at Lat 10.0559°N, Lon 85.4778°W, i.e. of about 41 km NNE from the epicenter. The centroid time is 14:42:18.89 UTC, i.e. 15.54 s later relative to the location-based origin time. The nodal plane (strike 318°, dip 27° and rake 115°) is the fault plane that agrees with the geometry of the subducted slab at Nicoya, NNW Costa Rica. Increasing the maximum studied frequency from 0.06 to 0.15 Hz, the multiple point source inversion model leads to two subevents. The first one was located near the centroid and the second subevent was situated 20 km along strike and 10 km down dip from the first subevent and 6 s later. The uncertainty of the source model was carefully examined using complementary inversion methods, viz the iterative deconvolution and non-negative least squares. 相似文献
15.
Middle Miocene to present plate tectonic history of the southern Central American Volcanic Arc 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
New mid Miocene to present plate tectonic reconstructions of the southern Central American Volcanic Arc (CAVA) reveal that the inception of Cocos Ridge subduction began no earlier than 3 Ma, and possibly as late as 2 Ma. The Cocos Ridge has been displaced from the Malpelo Ridge to the southeast since 9 Ma along the Panama Fracture Zone (PFZ) system. Ambiguous PFZ and Coiba Fracture Zone (CFZ) interaction since 9 Ma precludes conclusively establishing the age of initial Cocos Ridge subduction. Detailed reconstructions based on magnetic anomalies offshore reveal several other variations in subduction parameters beneath southern Central America that preceded subduction of the Cocos Ridge, including southeastward migration of the Nazca–Cocos–Caribbean triple junction along the Middle America Trench (MAT) from 12 Ma to present, and subduction of ≤2 km high scarps both parallel and perpendicular to the trench from 6 to 1 Ma.The timing of changes in subduction processes has commonly been determined by (and correlated with) geologic changes in the upper plate. However, reliable 40Ar/39Ar dating of these events has become available only recently [Abstr. Programs-Geol. Soc. Am. (2002)]. These new dates better constrain the magmatic and structural history of southern Costa Rica. Observations from this data set include: a gap in the volcanic record from 11 to 6 Ma, which coincides temporally with emplacement of most plutons in southern Costa Rica, normal arc volcanism ceased after 3.5 Ma in southern Costa Rica, and Pliocene (mostly 1.5 Ma) adakite volcanism was widely distributed from central Panama to southern Costa Rica (though volumetrically insignificant).This new data reveals that many geologic phenomena, commonly attributed to subduction and underplating of the buoyant Cocos Ridge, in fact precede inception of Cocos Ridge subduction and seem to correlate more favorably in time with earlier tectonic events. Adakite volcanic activity corresponds in space and time with the subduction of a large scarp associated with a tectonic boundary off southern Panama. Regional unconformities and an 11–6 Ma gap in arc volcanism match temporally with oblique subduction of the Nazca plate beneath central and southern Costa Rica. Cessation of volcanic activity, low-temperature cooling of plutons in the Cordillera de Talamanca (CT), and rapid increases in sedimentation in the fore-arc and back-arc basins coincide with passage of the Nazca–Cocos–Caribbean triple junction and initiation of subduction of “rough” crust associated with Cocos–Nazca rifting 3.5 Ma, closely followed by initial subduction of the Cocos Ridge 2–3 Ma. None of the aforementioned geologic events occurred at a time that would allow for underplating by the Cocos Ridge. Rather they are probably related to complex interactions with subduction of complicated plates offshore. All of the aforementioned events indicate that the southern Central American subduction system has been in flux since at least 12 Ma. 相似文献
16.
剥蚀型汇聚板块边缘大地震成因机理研究:来自国际综合大洋钻探344航次的报告 总被引：3，自引：0，他引：3
旨在探究剥蚀型汇聚板块边缘大地震成因机理的国际综合大洋钻探(IODP)344航次于2012年10月23日至12月11日在中美洲地震频发的哥斯达黎加西部海域实施钻探。介绍了钻探区域的大地构造特征、该航次的主要科学目标、执行情况、所取得的初步成果以及对航次后研究工作的展望等。航次后更多深入细致的研究工作正在进行中,所取得的研究成果将集中在2014年南京召开的航次后学术研讨会上汇报、交流、集成、总结,从而提升对剥蚀型汇聚板块边缘大地震起源机理的认识。 相似文献
17.
Chemosynthetic carbonates, identified by isotopic, palaeoecological and sedimentological features, are concentrated in middle-late Miocene satellite and foredeep deposits of the northern Apennines. Chemoherms in the foredeep are hosted in thick pelitic intervals, probably deposited in intrabasinal structural highs, which are entirely or partly involved in large slumps, in many cases associated with extrabasinal slides. Sediment textures in carbonates and in the enclosing foredeep pelitic sediments indicate a link between hydrocarbon-fluid venting, sediment deformation and mobilisation, and tectonics. The intensity and style of fluid release phases directly influenced chemoherm typology, and also determined overpressure conditions in low shear strength pelitic sediments, favouring sediment mobilisation and influencing slope instability, which widely affected the Apennine foredeep. Chemosynthetic carbonates are associated with sites of tectonically fractured and compressed sediments in the Apennine foredeep-thrust belt system, thus indicating a relation with the tectonic loading of the Apennine thrust-sheets, which favoured fluid expulsion along forerunner faults. Possible gas hydrate contributions to fluid expulsion processes are discussed, based on sediment textures compared with modern vent areas. Finally, sediment instability may have facilitated a large amount of fluid escape, thus stopping carbonate precipitation. 相似文献
18.
19.
We constrain the multistage tectonic evolution of the Palaeoproterozoic UHT metamorphic(P=0.9–1.0 GPa,T>1000℃,t=2088–2031 Ma)Bakhuis Granulite Belt(BGB)in Surinam on the Guiana Shield,using large-to small-scale structures,Al-in-hornblende thermobarometry and published fluid inclusion and zircon geochronological data.The BGB forms a narrow,NE–SW striking belt between two formerly connected,~E–W oriented granite-greenstone belts,formed between converging Amazonian and West African continental masses prior to collision and Transamazonian orogeny.Inherited detrital zircon in BGB metasediments conforms agewise to Birimian zircon of West Africa and suggests derivation from the subsequently subducted African passive margin.Ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism may have followed slab break-off and asthenospheric heat advection.Peak metamorphic structures result from layer-parallel shearing and folding,reflecting initial transtensional exhumation of the subducted African margin after slab break-off.A second HT event involves intrusion,at ca.0.49 GPa,of charnockites and metagabbros at 1993–1984 Ma and a layered anorthosite at 1980 Ma,after the BGB had already cooled to<400℃.The event is related to northward subduction under the greenstone belts,along a new active margin to their south.A pronounced syntaxial bend in the new margin points northward towards the BGB and is likely the result of indentation by an anticlinorial flexural bulge of the subducting plate.Tearing of the subducting oceanic plate along this bulge explains why the charnockites are restricted to the BGB.The BGB subsequently experienced doming under an extensional detachment exposed in its southwestern border zone.Exhumation was focused in the BGB as a result of the flexural bulge in the subducting plate and localised heating of the overriding plate by charnockite magmatism.The present,straight NE–SW long-side boundaries of the BGB are superimposed mylonite zones,overprinted by pseudotachylites,previously dated at ca.1200 Ma and 950 Ma,respectively.The 1200 Ma mylonites reflect transpressional popping-up of the BGB,caused by EW-directed intraplate principal compressive stresses from Grenvillian collision preserved under the eastern Andes.Further exhumation of the BGB involved the 950 Ma pseudotachylite decorated faulting,and Phanerozoic faulting along reactivated Meso-and Neoproterozoic lineaments. 相似文献
20.
Rebecca B. Thomas Marc M. HirschmannHai Cheng Mark K. ReaganR.Lawrence Edwards 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2002,66(24):4287-4309
We present U, Th, and Pa isotope data for young lavas from Costa Rica and Nicaragua in the Central American arc. Thorium isotopic ratios for Costa Rica and Nicaragua differ dramatically: Costa Rican lavas are characterized by low (230Th/232Th) (1 to 1.2) and, for four out of five lavas, (230Th/238U) greater than unity. Nicaraguan lavas have high (230Th/232Th) (2.2 to 2.7) and, for five of six samples, (230Th/238U) less than unity. All lavas have (231Pa/235U) greater than unity, with initial values ranging from 1.27 to 1.77, but those from Costa Rica have larger 231Pa excesses. There is a broad positive correlation between (231Pa/235U) and (230Th/238U) similar to the worldwide trend for arcs outlined by Pickett and Murrell (1997), although many of the Nicaraguan lavas skirt the high end of that trend. In greater detail, the Central American data appear to divide into separate high-(231Pa/235U) and low-(231Pa/235U) tiers. These tiers may be different because of either different residence times in the crust or different proportions of sedimentary components from the slab.Substantial (231Pa/235U) excesses (>1.5) in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua require a melting process that allows for enhanced daughter (231Pa) ingrowth. With increasing U addition, (231Pa/230Th) increases in a manner that cannot be explained adequately by aging of fluid components before partial melting and eruption. Thus, either some 231Pa is added from the slab, or melting-enhanced 231Pa ingrowth is greater in sources that have experienced a larger amount of slab-derived flux and a higher extent of melting. These observations can be explained if regions that have undergone greater extents of fluxing and melting have experienced these processes over a longer time interval than those that have had little flux added and little melt extracted. We propose a flux-ingrowth melting model in which corner flow in the mantle wedge supplies fresh hot mantle into a zone of slab fluid addition. Partial melting occurs in response to this fluxing. We assume critical melting at low porosity (∼10−3), rapid fluid flux to the melting region, and rapid melt transport. Solid mantle traverses the melting region over 105 to 106 yr, thereby allowing 231Pa and 230Th ingrowth from U retained in the residues of melt extraction. Magmas are aggregated from all parts of the melting regime, mixing melts from incipiently fluxed regions with those from sources that have experienced more extensive fluid addition, partial melting, and daughter nuclide ingrowth. With suitable assumptions about component addition from the slab, this flux-ingrowth model matches a wide range of U-series and trace element data from Costa Rican and Nicaraguan lavas, with required average extents of melting of ∼1 to 3% and 7 to 15%, respectively. Upwelling and/or extensive melt-rock reaction are not required to explain large (231Pa/235U) excesses in Central America or other arcs. On Th isotope equiline plots, the model produces linear arrays that resemble isochrons but that have no age significance. Instead, these arrays are generated by mixing of melts from sources that have experienced fluid addition and partial melting over a range of time intervals, as seems likely in arc source regions. Finally, the flux-ingrowth model predicts considerable 226Ra excesses for integrated magmas. If we assume that 226Ra is added continuously with the slab-derived fluid, the model predicts large and increasing (226Ra/230Th) with increasing melting and slab-component addition, without requiring the addition of a distinct late fluid. 相似文献