GEOLOGICAS ACTIVE FAULT IN PERU

INTRODUCTION

In Peru, the Neotectonics has advanced to the point you have

identified, mapped and recognized the features of the major active
faults in the country. However, this information as such is not directly
applicable or useful in seismic hazard assessments. Necessary goes
to the next step of the "parameter". At this stage it is by
palaeoseismological "method of determining the magnitudes of the
earthquakes that each fault is capable of generating, their return
periods. These are the minimum data that can be processed with
programs currently available. Other typical information as breaking
length, displacement kinematics, direction of propagation of the
deformation over time and others added accuracy evaluations.
Considering that seismic hazard assessments should not be an
exercise in style or a report in the file of a project, the best result
obtained with the inclusion of the information specified shall be
immediately useful for project engineering l as well as for land use
plans and the design of prevention and mitigation plans in the regions
involved.

GOALS:
Y. DEVELOPMENT:
Geological tectonic faults, fractures are formed in the earth's crust are
found in sedimentary rocks, intrusive, metamorphic and volcanic
product of tectonic deformations.
One of the terrain that can be seen more easily are the faults or
breaks of a folding, especially if the ground is sefimentario type.
Failures are a type of deformation of the earth's crust ending rupture,
leading to a variety of geological structures.
When this breakdown occurs abruptly, an earthquake occurs.
Sometimes the fault line allows, at certain points, to surface the
magma from the lower layers and a volcano is formed.
1. CONCEPT:
In geology it called a break failure of a rock layer due to an effort
where a shift can be observed. If no movement we say that there is a
rift which if not cross the rock say it is a fissure. If the movement has
not broken strata but there is a significant and sharp accentuation of
the dip of the strata, stretched and thinned, called flex.

The failure is caused when the geological material shows great

strength or plasticity is overcome by the intensity of the tectonic
force. The flaw may be formed by compression, to pass on the yield
stress of the materials, or straining, by relaxing the effort to fracture
not recover the previous state appears. In distinguish failure: fault
plane, fault or lip block, fault line, jump or escarpment, a sense of
failure.
2. PARTIES OF FAILURE:
In the morphological level, failures can have a prominent role in the
field.
It is called the fault plane to break the surface of the layers move. If
the fault plane is polished and striated say it is a mirror of failure. In
this case you can give phenomena of dynamic metamorphism.
It's called lip fails, or block members separated by the fault plane
fragments. We distinguish between high block, which amounts, and
sunk block, which descends.
This fault line is called the line of contact between the lower lip and
the fault plane.

It is called jump fails or escarpment, to the total height vertically

measured displacement. If the tear occurs horizontally, in the same
plane (without jumping fault) we say that it is a tear.

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF FAILURE:
The following features allow us to describe faults:
Address: the angle between a horizontal line contained in the fault
plane with the north-south axis.
Dip: the angle between the fault plane with the horizontal.
jump fails: Distance between a given one of the blocks (eg one
surface of a layer..) And the corresponding point in the other, taken
along the fault plane.
Escarpe: Distance between surfaces of the two lips, taken vertically.
failure mirror: the flat surface although decline, which occurs along
the fault scarp
triangular facets are mirrors showing cutting failures occurred in a
mountainous row when the failure occurs perpendicular to the

direction of this mountainous row. Both the sunken part of the mirror
itself as failure have triangular appearance, hence the name.
4. TYPES OF FAILURES GEOLOGICAS:
CLASSIFICATION OF FAILURE TO YOUR MOVE:
The faults are classified into three types based on the efforts that
originate and relative movements of the blocks:
reverse fault. This type of failure is generated by compression (Fig.
A). The movement is preferably horizontal and the fault plane
typically has an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal. The ceiling
block is on the footwall. When thrust faults have less than 45 Manteo,
these happen to take the name of thrust.
normal fault. Such failures are generated by traction (Fig. B). The
motion is predominantly vertical to the plane of failure, which
typically has an angle of 60 degrees to the horizontal. The block slides
down is called the hanging wall, while rising is called block floor.
Another way to identify these faults is as follows. Considering block
fixed to the floor (one that is above the fault plane) gives the
impression that the roof block falls on this. Sets of normal faults can
lead to the formation of horst and grabens.
strike-slip fault, direction, or transcurrent. In this type the vertical
component of the jump is negligible and the predominant movement
is horizontal (Fig. C). . Dextral and sinistral Two types of strike-slip
faults are distinguished. Reaching the observer at any of the blocks

and where travels facing the other, are dextral those where the
relative movement of the blocks is clockwise, while the sinistral, the
opposite occurs.
Should not be confused with transform faults, which are associated
with the concept transforming edge of the theory of plate tectonics,
or with transverse faults, which are those that allow acomododar
differential movements of blocks along a fault plane.
Rotational or scissors Falla. It is the one originated by a tilting
motion of the blocks rotate around a fixed point, as the two parts of
scissors.
Failure oblique. Movement is one that has a vertical component and
a horizontal component.

Failures can occur associated in a number of structures:

staggered Failures: set of normal faults parallel planes.
tectonic scales: reverse faults set of parallel planes.
horst: a set of normal faults that form a convex structure.
overriding chain: set of thrust faults that form a convex structure.

 Rift Valley (recorded): a set of normal faults that form a concave

structure.
tectonic Massif (horst): pillars and association tectonic grabens,
alternately.
Mantle Bleed: recumbent fold in which it has reached a failure occur
between the upper edge and the lower, so that rolls over it.

5. ACTIVE AND INACTIVE FAULT:

A fault is active when deformed Quaternary sediments, that is when it
shows evidence of movement during the last 1.8 million years. Some
active faults often have associated earthquakes which shows that
continue to operate. The slip can be sudden jumps shaped leading to
earthquakes and a process is that two faults collide occurs, and
earthquakes occur when hitting followed downtime. The larger
earthquakes have been caused by breaks 8-12 m. The slip can also
occur slowly and continuously, perceptible only with instruments such
as GPS stations after several years of observations.
The first type are seismic faults while the latter are aseismic or
crawling. However, when considering large time intervals on the order
of thousands of years, both moving at average speeds of a few
millimeters to a few centimeters per year.

One example is the large faults distributed in the interior of the

continent, such as system failures Tambomachay (Cuzco), Cordillera
Blanca (Ancash), Huaytapallana (Huancayo), Quinche (Cajamarca)
and Rioja -Moyobamba (San Martin) etc.

There are also inactive old faults created in previous eras and survive
as fossil structures to this day. These do not represent any danger to
nearby towns.
Activa fails Specifically:
There is no type of study the type of data available is general
agreement about when a fault should be considered "active" and
most of the definitions put forth are based on the tectonic structure,
and and / or the perception of the author problem. Moreover, the
geological Quaternary deformation scenarios vary the limits of active

plaques in virtually stable cratonic areas, where the instrumental

seismicity in general has little correspondence with morphotectonic
features. In areas where the structures have the time intervals of
recurrence rates and slow slip faults in the shortest time since the last
break (the most "active" consideration) might not be the most
dangerous in terms of seismogenic capacity. Thus, the term wellestablished "active fault" is not considered adequate, and may even
be misleading as to the legends of objective and consistent and
accurate broadcast assignment.
Consequently, the characterization of the deformation function of
time since the last fault slip-recorded (ie, faults late Quaternary
displacement Holocene or historical) is considered more appropriate
characterization as an active, capable, potentially active, inactive
faults, and so on. This time-based classification allows some flexibility
in reporting between different tectonic environments or countries due
to the complexity or different levels of research and skills prehistoric
date fault events.
6. MAIN ACTIVE FAULTS IN PERU:
The chain of the Andes stretches over 9,000 km along the Pacific
active margin of South America, resulting from the subduction of the
Nazca plate beneath the South American plate. The width of the
Andes varies greatly, more than 500 km in the central part of Bolivia
and southern Peru until just
150 km at its ends in Ecuador and southern Chile.

The type of Andean subduction is characterized by a subducting

oceanic plate at a low angle and with a predominantly compressive
tectonic regime. In the case of the Andean subduction geometry of
the oceanic plate it has two types of segments, each sinking at an
angle of ca. 30 (Colombia-Ecuador, Peru-Bolivia-South North Chile,
Chile and Central and South) and other low-angle or flat subduction
(Jordan et al. 1983).
The Andes are divided into three main segments, from the Caribbean
Sea (10 N) to Tierra del Fuego (55 S) (see Soler 1991 Urreiztieta
1996, German and Ramos 2000, Jaillard et al. 2000, Ramos
2000). The northern Andes (10 N-5 S) are developed in a complex
cinematic context due to the interaction of the Caribbean, Cocos,
northern part of the Nazca plate and the South American plate plates.
The central Andes (5 S-46 S) are located along the western margin
of South America where the Nazca, Antarctic and South American
plates interact. South, or the Southern Patagonian Andes (46 S-55
S) resulting from the interaction of Antarctic plates, American and
Scotia. The convergence vector is oblique in relation to the contact
area of the plates. Thus oblique accommodation is complicated,
particularly in regard to the relationship between the deformation and
the overriding plate subduction. Also, the geometry of the coast also
affects the distribution of deformation and resulting morphology.
Although the main structures of the Andes developed during the
Miocene, its effects are now visible.

Main

characteristics

and

geotectonic setting neotectonics

the continent of South America
and around. 1. Northern Andes,
2. Central Andes; 2A. Peru flat
slab;

2B.

Normal

subduction

segment, 2C. Pampeana plane

of the slab.

The Andes have traditionally been divided into three main sectors,
namely the northern Andes, the Central Andes and the southern
Andes.
The present Fault System in Peru, are the result of the ongoing
process of deformation of the continental crust. These systems are
present in greater numbers, from north to south, on the foot
Subandino the eastern edge of the Andes, affecting the major folds of
the Brazilian shield (fault systems
Moyobamba, Satipo, Mother of God, etc.). The number of these fault
systems is lower on the High Cordillera and the Altiplano (fault system
of the Cordillera Blanca, Huaytapallana and Tambomachay). In
general, the largest number of faults are of reverse type evidencing
shortening the cortex.

Distribution of the main morpho-tectonic structures of the Andes

between 1 and N
46 S. Location of areas of study: Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile.

6.1. Major fault systems:

In general, these systems are reverse type on Subandino at the foot
of the main folds formed by the subsidence of the Brazilian shield in
the Eastern Cordillera (failure of Moyobamba, Satipo, Mother of God).
While in the High Cordillera and the Altiplano, the number of these
systems is lower and are mainly located at the foot of some major
glaciers, and owe their origin to extensive processes (failure of the

Cordillera

Blanca

and

Tambomachay)

and

compressive

( Huaytapallana system failures).

Then the most important characteristics of major fault systems will be
described according to their location in each of the units described
above morfoestructurales
In the Coastal Zone, north of 5 South failure Huaypira (HP) is located
with a NE-SW and EW orientation; between 14 and 16 South, the
presence of the failure of Marcona (MA) facing the NW-SE fault
LaPlanchada (PL) and the height of 16.5 S, stands out with NW-SE is
observed. These failures have lengths of about 90 km on average and
are of normal type.

The process of deformation of the continental crust, following the

lifting of the Andes, has given rise to the formation of different faults
on distribution systems throughout Peru. In general, these systems
are reverse type on Subandino at the foot of the main folds formed by
the subsidence of the Brazilian shield in the Eastern Cordillera (failure
of Moyobamba, Satipo, Mother of God). While in the High Cordillera
and the Altiplano, the number of these systems is lower and are
mainly located at the foot of some major glaciers, and owe their origin
to extensive processes (failure of the Cordillera Blanca
Tambomachay) and compressive (Huaytapallana system failures).
Then the most important characteristics of major fault systems will be
described according to their location in each of the units described

above morfoestructurales (Figure3). In the Coastal Zone, north of 5

South failure Huaypira (HP) is located with a NE-SW and EW
orientation; between 14 and 16 South, the presence of the failure
of Marcona (MA) with NW-SE fault of the Planchada (PL) and the
height of 16.5 S, stands out with NW-SE is observed. These failures
have lengths of about 90 km on average and are of normal type. In
the Western Cordillera the presence of the failure of the Cordillera
Blanca (CB), this being normal rate dipping to SW and the most
extensive in the world (200 km) is important. North of the fault branch
called Quiches failure. At the height of latitude 16 Pampacolca failure
(PC) appears South with a length of 30 km, this being normal type
with its main plane dipping towards SW. Ichupampa failure (IP) is
between 17 and 18.5 south over a length of about 220 km. This
failure is normal rate dipping to the SW and as Chile nozzle extends
westward. In the high mountains, on the latitude of 12.5 S, stands
the reverse fault system type Huaytapallana (HU) with a length of 25
km NW-SE direction and dipping to the NE.
At the latitude of 13.5 S, stands the fault system Ayacucho (AY). In
the Altiplano and Eastern Cordillera, between 13 -14.5 S, the fault
system of Tambomachay (TM) is located, virtually the same across the
southern tip of the department of Cuzco. This system also considers a
significant number of normal faults that are distributed along different
directions, with the longest Viscachani failures, Alto Vilcanota,
Pomacanchi and Langui-Layo, all with a focus on East-West.

In Subandino systems include reverse faults Alto Mayo (AM) located

between latitudes 4 to 8 South, system failures Satipo-Amauta
(SA) between 9 and 12 South and the system failures Mother of God
(MD) between 12 and 14 South. All these systems have flaws of
different lengths (between 300-500 km) and in general, are oriented
parallel to the Andean Cordillera dipping to the SW.
All fault systems, described above, have led or supported in the past,
long reactivations due to the occurrence of earthquakes of high
magnitude, the same as in some cases, have highlighted on the cliffs
failure surface uneven, on ground level of the order of 2 to 4 meters
(Failure Huaytapallana and Quiches). For example, in the Subandino
earthquakes of 1990 and 1991 they reactivated the system failures
Alto Mayo; in the Eastern Cordillera, Tambomachay failure was
reactivated with the earthquake of 1986; in the Western Cordillera,
Quichs failure originated with the earthquake of 1946 and the failure
of Huaytapallana, two earthquakes occurred in 1969 in the high
mountains, the failure of Ayacucho was reactivated with the
earthquakes in 1981 and 1999.
6.1.1. PERUVIAN FLAT-SLAB (4 S - 14 S)
This sector has a temporary migration of deformation toward the
foreland (east) as a result of the subduction of the flat slab geometry
during the past 5 Ma (Sbrier and Soler 1991 Sbrier et al. 1988
Gutscher et al. 2000) . Raised marine terraces are among the few
deformed features as described on the ground, which emphasize the

vertical component of subduction-related response and the elastic

crust along the plane of the slab Peru sector (Machare and Ortlieb,
1992).
The resulting movement of the earth's crust led to the raising
Cordillera Blanca, which has some of the highest elevations in the
Andes and in the Quaternary normal faults associated with recent
surface faults (1984 Bonnot, Bonnot et al. 1988, Schwartz 1988 ,
Machare et al. 2003). It is also important to note that the surface
seismicity that characterizes the Eastern Cordillera and the subAndean region (Suarez et al. 1983, Dorbath et al. 1991), where the
active deformation is dominated by the folds of related failures, as the
system Shitari faults and other structures unnamed (Machare et al.
2003).
FONT:
I. Bernal and H. Tavera
National Geophysical Data Center / Geophysical Institute of Peru.
6.1.2. GEOLOGICAL MAP OF ACTIVE FAULTS IN PERU:
Outline main Quaternary deformation along the Central Andes,
including the Peruvian flat slab segment (4 -14 S) and normal
subduction segment (14 -27 S). Dual systems and lack respect in
the text are: 1. Shitari, Chaquilbamba 2., 3. Quinche, 4. Cordillera
Blanca, Huaytapallana 5., 6. Cuzco, 7. Incapuquio; 8. EscomaAchacachi-Peas-Kenko; 9. Beni, 10. Mande-Yapecua; 11. Lomas de
Olmedo, 12. Atacama; 13.Trench.

FAILURES IN PERU :
THE GREAT PIT PERU-CHILE
FAILURE CHAQUILBAMBA
FAILURE Escoma-ACHACACHI-ROCKS-KENKO
FAILURE OF BENI
FAILURE Huaytapallana (Junin)
FAILURE Quinche (Ancash)
FAILURE TAMBOMACHAY (Cuzco)
FAILURE Huambo and CABANACONDE (Arequipa)

 FAILURE OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS (Ancash)

FAILURE Pomacanchi (Cuzco)
FAILURE SATIPO.
FAILURE OF MOTHER OF GOD.
FAILURE MARCONA.
FAILURE ironed
FAILURE Pampacolca.
FAILURE Ichupampa.

Compiling deformation regimes during the Quaternary in the Andes

North and Central.