Nueva evidencia cinemática y geomorfológica de la falla geológica Chontacruz de la ciudad de Loja

Abstract

Abstract: The present work focuses on the identification of new kinematic and geomorphological evidence of the Chontacruz fault in the Loja basin, where the tectonic activity present in the study polygon was determined from the implementation of three geomorphological index: Sinuosity of the mountain front (Smf), valley width/height ratio index (Vf) and finally the channel gradient index (SL) calculated using the SLiX toolbox.For the calculation of the Smf, four sections were taken into consideration, traced from north to south, where the result was that sections three and four show values corresponding to active tectonics. The calculation of the Vf index showed that the Potrerillos creek is the most active zone in the area, and finally, the calculation of the SL index showed hot spot anomalies catalogued as knickpoints to the south of the study polygon.Thus, it was concluded that the Chontacruz fault is currently tectonically active, generating the uplift of the mountain range south of the basin.