On the basis of structural field work, fault kinematic analysis, and the analysis of digital imagery, we describe the northern part of the southern Andean intra-arc Liqui¿e-Ofqui Fault Zone (LOFZ) as an SC-like fault zone system accommodating part of the Nazca--South American plate convergence obliquity. Kinematic modeling suggests that the LOFZ accommodated 124 (+24/-21) km of dextral displacement between 40¿S and 42¿S and 67 (+13/-11) km between 38¿S and 40¿S since the Pliocene. Associated vertical axis rotations are 31 ¿ 4¿ clockwise and 9 ¿ 1¿ counterclockwise along synthetic and antithetic faults, respectively. Mean Pliocene to recent shear rates along the LOFZ decrease northward from 32 ¿ 6 mm/yr to 13 ¿ 3 mm/yr compatible with partitioning of half of the convergence obliquity into the intra-arc zone north of 40¿S and complete partitioning to the south. The displacement gradient along the intra-arc zone results in margin-parallel shortening of the fore arc.