Impact of Cocos Ridge (Central America) subduction on the forearc drainage system

Subducting the Cocos Ridge beneath Central America deflects rivers away from its crest, shaping the drainage patterns of the Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves/La Amistad National Park. This study reveals that such subduction influences forearc drainage systems, with rivers above the ridge flanks diverging while those over its broad crest show minimal deflection. The modern drainage system in Costa Rica and Panama suggests the Cocos Ridge has been subducting for at least 1.8 million years. Researchers used a combination of three-dimensional finite-element modeling of ridge subduction and landscape evolution models to demonstrate how subducting topographic highs alter drainage patterns, providing insights into the onset and history of ridge subduction.

Zeumann, S., & Hampel, A. (2017). Impact of Cocos Ridge (Central America) subduction on the forearc drainage system. Geology, 45(10), 907–910. https://doi.org/10.1130/g39251.1