Cocos–Nazca spreading centre

Map of the Cocos–Nazca spreading centre. Abbreviations used: GMP Galápagos microplate, GSC Galápagos spreading centre, GT Galápagos transform, IT Inca transform, EFZ Ecuador fracture zone, PFZ Panama fracture zone, MAT Middle America Trench, ER Ecuador Rise, CRR Costa Rica Rise

The Cocos–Nazca spreading centre (or the Cocos–Nazca spreading system) is the divergent boundary between the Cocos and Nazca plates. It extends from close to the East Pacific Rise northwest of the Galápagos Islands, to the southeastern end of the Middle America Trench offshore Panama. The western part of this boundary is formed by the west–east Galápagos spreading centre, with the eastern part formed of two short spreading segments and three large transform segments, including the Panama fracture zone.^[1][2][3]

References

1. Peirce, C.; Tedd, J.C.; Hobbs, R.W. (2023). "Structure and dynamics of the Ecuador Fracture Zone, Panama Basin". Geophysical Journal International. 235 (2): 1519–1540. doi:10.1093/gji/ggad315.
2. Baker, E.T.; Hayman, R.M.; Resing, J.A.; White, S.M.; Walker, S.L.; Macdonald, K.C.; Nakamura, K. (2008). "High-resolution surveys along the hot spot–affected Galápagos Spreading Center: 1. Distribution of hydrothermal activity". Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems. 9 (9). doi:10.1029/2008GC002028.
3. Harpp, K.S.; Wanless V.; Otto R.H.; Hoernle K.; Werner R. (2004). "The Cocos and Carnegie Aseismic Ridges: a Trace Element Record of Long-term Plume– Spreading Center Interaction". Journal of Petrology. 46 (1): 109–133. Bibcode:2005JPet...46..109H. doi:10.1093/petrology/egh064.