Paleomagnetism of the Upper Silurian and Lower Devonian carbonates of New York State: evidence for secondary magnetizations residing in magnetite

Paleomagnetic directions for the Upper Silurian and Lower Devonian carbonates of the Helderberg escarpment (New York State) differ from expected Late Silurian and Early Devonian directions for cratonic North America. The mean direction (D = 165°, I = −10°; paleopole at 50°N 129°E) is similar to Late Carboniferous and Early Permian results. Negative fold tests, and a lack of reversals, suggest that the magnetization is secondary. However, low coercivities, low blocking temperatures, the thermomagnetic curves (T_C near 570°C) and the acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetizations all suggest that the remanence is carried by magnetite. If a detrital origin of these magnetites is assumed, the secondary nature of the remanence would argue for thermal resetting as a result of deep burial of the rocks. However, no evidence for such thermal resetting is seen in the alteration of conodonts. More likely perhaps is a chemical or thermochemical origin of the remanence; this would require the magnetites to be authigenic.     

A paleomagnetic reinvestigation of the Upper Devonian Perry Formation: evidence for Late Paleozoic remagnetization

In view of the recent recognition of widespread Late Paleozoic remagnetization of Devonian formations across North America, we undertook a reinvestigation of the Upper Devonian Perry Formation of coastal Maine and adjacent New Brunswick. Thermal demagnetization of samples from the redbeds yielded a characteristic direction (D = 166°, I = 4°) that fails a fold test. Comparison of the corresponding paleopole (312°E, 41°S) with previously published Paleozoic poles for North America suggests that the sediments were remagnetized in the Late Carboniferous. After the removal of a steep, northerly component, the volcanics also reveal a shallow and southerly direction ( D = 171°, I = 25° without tilt correction). No stability test is available to date the magnetization of the volcanics; however, similarity of several of the directions to those seen in the sediments raises the suspicion that the volcanics are also remagnetized. Although the paleopole without tilt correction (303°E, 32°S) could be taken to indicate an early Carboniferous age for the remagnetization, scatter in the data suggests that the directions are contaminated by the incomplete removal of a steeper component due to present-day field. Thus, it is more likely that the volcanics were remagnetized at the same time as the sediments. Isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition curves, blocking temperatures, coercivities and reflected light microscopy indicate that the magnetization is carried by hematite in the sediments and by both magnetite and hematite in the volcanics. It is therefore likely that the remagnetization of the Perry Formation involved both thermal and chemical processes related to the Variscan/Alleghenian orogeny. Our results indicate that previously published directions for the Perry Formation were based on the incomplete resolution of two magnetic components. These earlier results can no longer be considered as representative of the Devonian geomagnetic field.     

Paleomagnetism of Lower Devonian volcanics and Devonian dykes from northcentral New Brunswick,Canada

Some 50 oriented samples (120 specimens) have been collected on eight sites of volcanic rocks from the Lower Devonian Dalhousie Group of northern New Brunswick and Devonian andesitic to basic dykes from central New Brunswick. Univectorial and occasional multivectorial components were extracted from the various samples. Results after AF and thermal demagnetization compare relatively well. In the volcanics and tuffs, two components of magnetization have been isolated: A (D = 33°, I = ?58°, α₉₅ = 7.3°, K = 236) for four sites and B (D = 66°, I = +53°) for three sites. The grouping of component A is improved after tilt correction but the fold test is not significantly positive at the 95% confidence level. Component A is interpreted as being primary while component B is unresolved and appears to be the resultant magnetization of a Late Paleozoic and a recent component. The pole position obtained for tilt corrected component A is 268°E, 1°S, d_p = 6.5°, d_m = 8.8°. The paleolatitude calculated for component A is 39°S. The paleopole of in situ component A is located close to those of the Early-Middle Devonian formations from Quebec, New Brunswick and New England states while the paleopole of tilt-corrected component A is similar to Lower Devonian poles of rock units from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. If component A is primary (as we believe it to be), then the western half of the northern Appalachians had already docked onto the North American Craton by Early Devonian time. Alternatively, if component A is secondary the same conclusion applies but the juxtaposition took place in Middle Devonian time.     

The Early Tertiary chemical remagnetization in the Bakjisan Syncline, Korea: Its geotectonic implications

The Bakjisan Syncline is located in the northwestern part of the Taebaeksan Basin, Korea. New paleomagnetic data for the Upper Carboniferous–Lower Triassic Pyeongan Supergroup from the Pyeongchang area on the west limb of the Bakjisan Syncline have been obtained, and synthesized and compared with previous data from the Jeongseon area on the east limb of the syncline. A total of 350 specimens were collected from 21 sites to clarify the relationship between the spatial distribution of remagnetized areas and the thrust system in the Taebaeksan Basin. The characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) isolated from all samples was a remagnetized component acquired after tilting of the strata and carried by various magnetic minerals (magnetite, hematite and pyrrhotite). From rock magnetic studies, electron microscope observations and XRD analyses, the pervasive remagnetization is interpreted to be associated mainly with a fluid-mediated chemical remanent magnetization (CRM). This is consistent with the results of previous work in adjacent areas. The paleomagnetic pole position (88.3°E, 83.9°N, A₉₅ = 4.9°) from the Pyeongan Supergroup in the Bakjisan Syncline indicates that the timing of the remagnetization event is Early Tertiary times (i.e. Paleocene to Eocene) by comparison with reliable paleopoles from the Korean Peninsula. Early Tertiary CRMs are also reported from previous studies of an adjacent region within the northwestern part of the Taebaeksan Basin. In contrast, a primary remanent magnetization was reported in the southeastern part of the Taebaeksan Basin. This implies that the major thrust system (the Gakdong thrust) which separates the two regions has caused them to experience substantially different geologic histories since deposition of the strata. Since many thrusts with NS trend are observed in the northwestern part of the Taebaeksan Basin compared with the southeastern region, it appears that the remagnetizing fluids pervasively penetrated the northwestern part of the basin by utilizing the already well-developed thrust system.     

Palaeomagnetic and mineralogical studies of Devonian lacustrine sediments from Caithness,Scotland

A variety of lacustrine sediments from the Devonian Caithness Flagstone Group in northern Scotland has been subjected to palaeomagnetic and mineralogical analysis. In general, the sediments show little evidence of a Devonian magnetization although this is partly seen in the Spital Flagstones. The magnetization seems to be dominated by Mesozoic overprints of normal and reversed polarity. The different sub-components of the magnetizations cannot be resolved thermally because of the difficulty of applying thermal demagnetization techniques above 400°C. At and above this temperature, sulphide oxidation results in laboratory magnetizations which obscure the NRM.Mineralogical studies show that the overprint is carried by Fe hydroxides in association with pyrite and marcasite grains (dolostones) or hematite in association with Cr-spinels (Achanarras Limestone). In the Spital Flagstones the relict Devonian magnetization and the normal Mesozoic overprint appears to be carried by magnetite. Our results show the importance of mineralogical studies in making realistic interpretation of the origin of magnetizations in ancient sediments.     

Timing of rotational motion of Southwest Japan inferred from paleomagnetism

Paleomagnetic field directions for the period younger than 35 Ma are obtained from igneous rocks distributed in the San'in district, Inner Zone of Southwest Japan. The remanent magnetization of samples between 30 and 35 Ma old are fairly well grouped with a mean direction of D = 65.9°, I = 48.6°, and ₉₅ = 6.5°. This result establishes that Southwest Japan rotated clockwise 56 ± 12° during the past 30 m.y. A declination value of about 60° is observed in the rocks of 28 Ma ( D = 52.2°, I = 33.5°) and 21 Ma (D = 69.9°, I = 49.5°). Comparing this with results from dacitic rocks with an age of 15 Ma in other areas of Southwest Japan suggests that rotational motion did not occur possibly until 15 Ma. These results require that the rotation of Southwest Japan occurred just after the Shikoku Basin had been created.     

A long connection (750–380 Ma) between South China and Australia: paleomagnetic constraints

A new paleomagnetic study has been carried out on sediments of middle Cambrian age in the North Sichuan Basin (Yangtze Block). Detailed stepwise thermal demagnetizations allowed us to isolate three components. Site-mean direction derived from higher temperature components is D/I=146.9°/–17.1° (₉₅=8.3°) yielding a pole position at 51.3°S, 166.0°E. The fold and reversal tests suggest that remanence was acquired during early stage of sedimentation. Combined with the high-qualities early Sinian (748 Ma) and middle Silurian poles obtained recently from the Yangtze block, the deriving polar track demonstrates a similar loop to that of Australia. After rotating these poles from South China to fit that of Australia, the South China Block is placed against northwestern Australia. This reconstruction favors the correlations of the Jiangnan Grenville-age orogenic belt with the Rudall belt of western Australia, and subsequently the late Proterozoic Jiangnan and Officer/Adelaide rift systems. The paleobiogeographic evidence also indicates that this configuration might maintain by the middle Devonian.     

Palaeomagnetic constraints on formation of the Mianwali reentrant, Trans-Indus and western Salt Range, Pakistan

Successions of Lower to lower Middle Cambrian, Upper Permian to Upper Triassic and Lower Tertiary carbonates and arenites have been sampled in five sections, representative of the three main segments of the Mianwali reentrant in the (Trans-Indus) Salt Range (northern Pakistan), i.e.: the southern Khisor Range, the northern Surghar Range and the western Salt Range. Comparison of primary and secondary magnetization directions with the Indian APWP demonstrates the secondary origin of the Mianwali reentrant and shows a pattern of rotations which varies in sense and magnitude along the reentrant with the main structural trends. Data from the Trans-Indus and western Salt Range and published Early Cambrian, Early Permian and Late Tertiary palaeomagnetic results from the southern Salt Range and the Potwar Plateau show that the Hazara Arc underwent a 20–45° counterclockwise rotation relative to the Indian Shield. A contrasting clockwise rotation over about 45° has recently been established for thrust sheets in the opposing eastern limb of the Western Himalayan Syntaxis, i.e. for the Panjal Nappe [1] and the Riasi thrust sheet [2]. These palaeomagnetically established rotations conform with the about 75° azimuthal change in structural trend along the Syntaxis, and support Crawford's [3] suggestion that the Salt Range was originally in line with the northwestern Himalaya. The Salt Range front prograded and moved southwards as part of the Hazara Arc thrust sheet, detached from basement along the evaporitic Salt Range Formation. The Mianwali reentrant originated through obstruction of the southwards advancing thrust sheet by moulding around basement topography of the northwest oriented Sarghoda Ridge.     

Paleomagnetism, geochronology, and magnetic mineralogy of Devonian dikes from the Kola alkaline province (NE Fennoscandian Shield)

The new paleomagnetic data on forty dikes and two intrusive plutons of Devonian age located in different parts of the Kola Peninsula, which have not been previously covered by systematic paleomagnetic studies, are reported. We describe the results of the rock magnetic, petrographic, and microprobe investigations of the Devonian dikes and present their isotopic ages (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar, stepwise heating). Within the studied area, almost all the Devonian dikes, metamorphic Archaean-Proterozoic complexes of the Fennoscandian Shield, and Proterozoic dikes have undergone low-temperature hydrothermal-metasomatic alteration, which resulted in the formation of new magnetic minerals with a secondary (chemical) component of magnetization. The comparison of the paleomagnetic poles indicates the Early Jurassic age of the secondary component. We suggest that regional remagnetization event was caused by endogenic activity genetically related to the formation of the Barents Sea trap province 200–170 Ma ago. On the basis of the obtained data, the preliminary Devonian paleomagnetic pole of the East European Platform is determined.     

The extent of Greater India,I. Preliminary palaeomagnetic data from the Upper Devonian of the eastern Hindukush,Chitral (Pakistan)

Samples of Upper Devonian sedimentary ironstones from the eastern Hindukush, Chitral (Pakistan), give a characteristic palaeomagnetic direction: declination D = 318°, inclination I = ?6.5°; believed to represent the primary magnetization direction. The samples come from an area which lies north of a major ophiolite zone that recent workers suggest is the southwestern continuation of the Indus Suture. As the present palaeomagnetic results are in fair agreement with palaeomagnetic data from the Siberian platform but not with data from Gondwanaland they can be taken as additional evidence that this suture does indeed constitute the main collision zone between the Gondwanic Indian subcontinent and Asia. The palaeomagnetic data presented here from the Devonian of Chitral suggests additionally: (1) in excess of 100° of counterclockwise rotation of the area, associated most likely with the formation of the regional Hindukush-Pamir-Karakoram syntaxial bend; (2) more than 2000 km of crustal shortening between Chitral and the Siberian platform due to the northward indentation of the Indian Gondwanaland fragment subsequent to collision.     

Rotational overthrusting of the northwestern Himalaya: further palaeomagnetic evidence from the Riasi thrust sheet, Jammu foothills, India

Thermal demagnetization results (316 samples) are presented for the Tertiary succession of the Riasi thrust sheet (Jammu foothills, northwestern Himalaya). Primary and secondary magnetization directions of Murree Group red beds (Miocene to Upper Eocene) sampled northeast of Jammu indicate, for this part of the Riasi thrust sheet, a clockwise rotation over about 45° with respect to the Indian shield since Late Eocene/Early Miocene time. This accords with clockwise rotations of similar magnitude observed in the Panjal Nappe and the Krol Belt, and is interpreted as representative for the northwestern Himalaya. Results from the western part of the Kalakot inlier, sampled northwest of Jammu, i.e. basal Murree claystone (Middle Eocene) and carbonate from the Subathu Group (lower Middle to Lower Eocene), indicate an aberrant 20–25° counterclockwise rotation which is of local importance only. Available observations on rotation of Himalayan thrust sheets with respect to the Indian shield, indicate that the Himalayan Arc has formed through oroclinal bending. This supports Powell and Conaghan's and Veevers et al.'s model of Greater India with large-scale intracontinental underthrusting along the Main Central Thrust beneath the Tibetan Plateau. Minimal magnitudes of underthrusting of 550 km in the Krol Belt and 650 km in the Thakkhola region are concluded. Palaeolatitude observations (herein and in [1[) agree with absolute positioning of the Indian plate based on India-Africa relative movement data fixed to a hotspot frame in the Atlantic Ocean, and with palaeolatitude observations from DSDP cores on the Indian plate. Collision-related secondary magnetic components observed both to the north and to the south of the Indus-Tsangpo Suture zone show palaeolatitudes between the equator and 7°N. Comparison of both datasets indicates that initial contact between Greater India and south-central Asia had been established in the Hindu Kush—Karakorum region by about 60 Ma ago whereas eastwards progressive suturing had advanced to the Lhasa Block segment of the Indus-Tsangpo Suture zone before 50 Ma ago.     

An integrated paleomagnetic study of Rio Grande de Santiago volcanic succession (trans-Mexican volcanic belt): revisited

We carried out an integrated paleomagnetic, rock-magnetic and paleointensity study of Miocene volcanic succession from the trans-Mexican volcanic belt (TMVB) north of Guadalajara. A total of 37 consecutive basaltic lava flows (326 oriented standard paleomagnetic cores) were collected at Lazo locality. Continuous susceptibility measurements with temperature and hysteresis experiments yield in most cases reasonably reversible curves with Curie points close to that of pseudo-single-domain magnetite. Two geomagnetic reversals were observed in the 300 m thick composite section. Paleosecular variation was lower than the one observed in general during Miocene. It appears that the volcanic units have been emplaced during a relatively short time span of about 1 Ma. The mean paleomagnetic directions obtained from this study do not differ significantly from that expected for the middle Miocene. The mean paleomagnetic direction calculated from all data is I=31.1°, D=354.6°, k=124 and ₉₅=2.1°, N=37. Seventy-two samples with apparently preserved primary magnetic mineralogy and without secondary magnetization, mostly belonging to reverse polarity chron were pre-selected for Thellier paleointensity determination. The flow-mean paleointensity values are ranging from 22.4±3.4 to 53.8±6.0 μT and the corresponding virtual dipole moments (VDMs) are ranging from (5.4±0.8) to (12.0±1.4)×10²² A m². This corresponds to mean value of (7.7±2.2)×10²² A m², which is close to present day geomagnetic field strength. Altogether, our data suggest the existence of relatively high geomagnetic field strength undergoing low fluctuations.     

Magnetic fields of the solar nebula as recorded in chondrules from the Allende meteorite

The natural remanent magnetization (NRM) in individual chondrules from the Allende meteorite was measured. These had previously been oriented relative to each other. The NRM directions of the chondrules are not initially random, but they become scattered after either alternating field (AF) or thermal demagnetization. The NRM is less stable than anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) against AF-demagnetization.

The bulk of the NRM in the matrix is erased by 300°C. For the larger chondrules it is erased by 550°C, but for the smaller chondrules and the white inclusion a substantial decrease in NRM occurs by 350°C leaving about 20% up to 600°C. The behavior of the laboratory-induced ARM and the NRM under alternating field demagnetization suggest that the NRM of the chondrules consists of at least two components of TRM. One is a high-temperature component which was acquired when the individual chondrules were cooled through the Curie temperature and before they were assembled into the Allende meteorite. The other is a low-temperature component which was probably acquired in a field of about 1 Oe when the meteorite experienced thermal metamorphism or during the assembly of the meteorite.     

Biostratigraphical significance of the Devonian Sinoleperditiini (Ostracoda)

In South China and its adjacent areas, leperditiid ostracodes from the Devonian are very abundant. They have in common a trailing chevron muscle scar (tv: Fig. 1(a)) which uninterruptedly extends ventrally with passing geological time, and range through most De-vonian. The tribe Sinoleperditiini was proposed by Wang (1994) for these ostracodes since other leperdi-tiids from North America, Europe, Siberia and else-where bear the non-trailing chevron muscle scar (v: Fig. 1(b)) and range from…     

Late cretaceous to early paleogene paleomagnetic results from Sikhote Alin, far eastern Russia: implications for deformation of East Asia

Welded tuffs in the Bogopol and Sijanov groups were sampled at 27 sites from 12 caldera formations in the Sikhote Alin mountain range around Kavalerovo (44.3°N, 135.0°E) for chronological and paleomagnetic studies. KAr age dates show that the welded tuffs erupted between 66 Ma and 46 Ma. All sites yield reliable paleomagnetic directions, with unblocking temperatures higher than 560°C. The high-temperature component at 12 sites and the medium-temperature component at 3 sites in the Bogopol Group show reversed polarity (D = 193.7°, I = −57.6°,₉₅ = 8.1°). The high-temperature component at 11 sites in the Sijanov Group showed both reversed and normal polarities and its mean direction reveals no detectable deflection from north (D = −2.9°, I = 59.6°,₉₅ = 11.2°). The combined paleomagnetic direction of the two groups yields a paleomagnetic pole of 250.5°E, 84.1°N (A₉₅ = 8.8°), which falls near Cretaceous paleomagnetic poles from Outer Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, the North China Block and the South China Block. The Sikhote Alin area appears not to have been subjected to detectable motion with respect to East Asia since about 50 Ma. This implies that the Sikhote Alin area behaved as an integral part of East Asia during the opening of the Japan Sea at about 15 Ma. However, significant separation between the paleomagnetic poles of East Asia and Europe during the Jurassic-Paleogene implies a major relative movement between these two blocks since the Paleogene.     

Palaeomagnetism of (late Vendian-earliest Cambrian) minor alkaline intrusions, Fen Complex, southeast Norway

Emplacement of the Fen central complex (603-565 Ma) within the Fennoscandian Shield in southeast Norway was preceded by the emplacement of numerous minor alkaline intrusions into the surrounding gneisses. A palaeomagnetic sample of 28 of these bodies has identified a predominant SSE negative remanence carried by magnetite in some bodies and hematite in others. A sporadic high blocking temperature component appears to record localised effects associated with the development of the Oslo rift and igneous province to the east, but no major magnetic overprinting by post-emplacement events is recognised. The stable magnetisation vectors for twenty sites comprise a coherent population with those for two sites reversed with respect to the remainder; they yield a mean direction ofD = 210°,I = 44° (₉₅ = 6.4°) and a palaeomagnetic pole at 324°E, 50°S (dpdm=4.9°7.9°). The difference between the pole position for this early phase of the Fen magmatism and that for the late metasomatic rødberg (322°E, 63°S) in the interior of the complex is interpreted in terms of continental movement during the late Vendian-earliest Cambrian interval of alkaline activity here. The defined direction of APW movement continues a motion recognised from other Vendian data but subsequent movements during Lower Cambrian times are unclear.     

Devonian tioga tuff in Northeastern United States

The Tioga Bentonite ranges from a coarse crystal tuff to a tuffaceous shale enclosed in marine strata. It originally was deposited over the entire northeastern United States during the Middle Devonian. Trends in grain size, thickness, and numbers of preserved ash layers indicate a source volcano in west-central or central Virginia.     

Devonian integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points(GSSPs) for the bases of all seven international Devonian stages have been formally defined and ratified by IUGS till 1996, and nowadays, the main tasks for Devonian stratigraphers include further subdivision of these standard stages, strictly constrained absolute ages for the boundaries, and precise neritic-pelagic and marine-terrestrial correlations using multidisciplinary stratigraphy methods. Establishment of high-resolution Devonian integrative stratigraphy framework and timescale of China would play an important role in improving regional and international correlation, facilitating the recognition of important stratigraphic levels in different paleogeographic settings, and understanding the evolution pattern of biota, paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during this critical interval. Based on well-studied bio-and chronostratigraphy of Devonian in South China and adjacent areas, in combination with recent achievements in carbon isotope stratigraphy, event stratigraphy and radioactive isotope ages, this paper briefly summarize the research history and current status of Devonian chronostratigraphy of China, and for the first time introduce Devonian integrative stratigraphy framework of China.Up to date, few studies have been conducted on the astronomical cyclostratigraphy and high-resolution radioactive isotope dating in Devonian of China, which should be our main focuses in the near future.     

Geochemical morphology of the North Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 10°–24°N: Trace element-isotope complementarity

The new data presented here from a 10–24°N segment of the North Mid-Atlantic Ridge show that this segment is the most depleted of the 10–70°N ridge section. They also show the existence of: (1) a geochemical gradient from the 14°N anomaly to 17°10′N; (2) a very depleted mantle source (the lowest Sr isotopic ratios found so far in the North Atlantic); and (3) a geochemical limit located at about 17°10′N without any obvious relation with any structural feature. The 15°20′N fracture zone does not show any relationship with respect to this gradient. The basalts located north of 17°10′N have very homogeneous features, which allow their characteristics to be averaged (i.e., ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0.70238 ± 0.00004, (Nb/Zr)_N = 0.28 ± 0.1) and they are defined as normal mid-ocean ridge basalts. The basaltic glasses located south of 17°10′N present a wide spectrum of isotopic compositions and extended rare earth element patterns (from depleted to enriched). Despite this, they have a constant K/Nb of 233 ± 9 (1s_M, n = 18) whereas this ratio is 344 ± 29 north of 17°10′N. These observations illustrate the strong coherence of behaviour between K and Nb (Ta) during the petrogenic processes involved in the generation of these mid-ocean ridge basalts and also their fractionation during previous mantle processes. Possible interpretations of mixing processes are discussed and sources at the ridge segment scale are favoured. However, when looking in detail, local heterogeneities are still common and can even be traced back off-axis to 115 my.

Placed in the context of the North Atlantic Ridge from 10° to 70°N, the Sr isotopic ratios reveal the Azores superstructure (23–50°N), whereas the trace element ratios (La/Sm-Nb/Zr) trace the second-order structures (33–40°N, 42–48°N) superimposed on the superstructure. This study illustrates the complementarity of information given by certain well chosen trace element ratios on the one hand and by isotopic ratios on the other. Since there is evidence of decoupling between isotopic ratios and/or trace element ratios, it introduces the notion of complementary “chemical memory” as recorded by a given type of trace element ratio or a given type of isotopic ratio     

Devonian of the isle of Rügen

Summary In the Rügen area of northern Germany, Old Red Sandstones, ranging from Late Emsian to Givetian in age, unconformably overlie deformed Ordovician strata. The Middle Devonian Old Red passes conformably up into a Late Devonian carbonate facies and then into the Lower Carboniferous, apparently without a break.