Boconó Fault
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Boconó Fault is a complex of geological faults located in the Eastern Ranges of northeastern Colombia and the Mérida Andes of northwestern Venezuela. The fault has a NE-SW orientation; it is a strike-slip fault and has a dextral relative movement.[1] It extends over a length of 500 kilometres (310 mi). The fault, with a slip rate ranging from 4.3 to 6.1 millimetres (0.17 to 0.24 in) per year, has been active since the Early Holocene and earthquakes of 1610 and 1894 are associated with it.[2]
LocationNorthern South America
| Boconó Fault | |
|---|---|
| Falla Boconó | |
.svg)  Location of the fault in Venezuela | |
| Etymology | Boconó, Trujillo |
| Location | Northern South America |
| Coordinates | 9°15′N 70°16′W |
| Country |  Colombia Venezuela |
| Region | Andean |
| State | Norte de Santander, Santander Mérida, Táchira |
| Cities | Cúcuta |
| Characteristics | |
| Range | Mérida Andes, Eastern Ranges |
| Part of | Boconó-San Sebastián-El Pilar Fault System |
| Length | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Strike | NE-SW |
| Displacement | 4.3–6.1 mm (0.17–0.24 in)/yr |
| Tectonics | |
| Plate | South American |
| Status | Active |
| Earthquakes | 1610, 1894 |
| Type | Strike-slip fault |
| Movement | Dextral |
| Age | Holocene |
| Orogeny | Andean |
