Phanerozoic magmatic activity in the northern Andes, southern Caribbean, and Panama can be attributed to Phanerozoic plate tectonic events. These include the redistribution of continents after the break-up of the Pangea supercontinent, the establishment of a long-lasting subduction zone along the Pacific margin, and interaction between northwestern South America with the Caribbean Large Igneous Province and Caribbean arcs. Numerous studies over the last decade have produced significant data related to these processes and their roles in shaping the northern Andes, southern Caribbean, and Panama regions. These studies have proposed diverse models of tectono-magmatic evolution for the region. However, the petrogenesis, temporal patterns, and magmatic processes controlling the generation of Phanerozoic magmatism in this region are still the subjects of ongoing debate. To provide insights into paleogeographic reconstructions and the magmatic processes that shaped NW South America and adjoining regions, this special issue aims to integrate various perspectives on the evolution of Phanerozoic magmatism in the region. It focuses on four nations: Ecuador, Colombia, Panamá, and Venezuela, making it a crucial synthesis for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the region.
