The tectonic style of the Pampean flat-slab segment of northern Chile was studied.
Geological mapping, new age data, and a semibalanced cross-section were used.
Andean deformation started as early as 80 Ma in the Coastal Cordillera.
Deformation propagated eastward during the Paleocene–Miocene.
Propagation of reverse faults produced crustal shortening of the flat-slab segment.