| This thesis is composed of two studies, both from the western Caribbean, offshore Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The first study focuses on the crust underlying the Nicaragua Rise, using wide-angle seismic data. The goals of this study are to characterize and constrain the origin of this geological province. The results yielded a thicker crust than previously reported, of approximately 30 km of thickness, and an island arc crust affinity, associated with the Siuna terrane. Furthermore, modeling of floating reflectors indicates the presence of a lower crust and upper mantle reflective zone, which may correspond to a suture zone and intrusive bodies.;The second study focuses on the structural characteristics of the Hess Escarpment, using multi-channel seismic data. The goals of this study are to determine the structural regime and mechanisms that occur at the escarpment, and to define if this structure is active or not. The results showed that strike-slip features are present in this region, shown by the occurrence of contractional and extensional features, and that this is an active structure, as folding and faulting of the seafloor are exhibited in the seismic data. Also, mass-movement deposits and evidence of gas hydrate are presented and described in this study. |
