Paleomagnetic results from Late Carboniferous to Early Permian rocks in the northern Qiangtang terrane,Tibet, China,and their tectonic implications

Results of a systematic paleomagnetic study are reported based on Late Carboniferous to Early Permian sedimentary rocks on the north slope of the Tanggula Mountains,in the northern Qiangtang terrane(NQT),Tibet,China.Data revealed that magnetic minerals in limestone samples from the Zarigen Formation(CP^z)are primarily composed of magnetite,while those in sandstone samples from the Nuoribagaribao Formation(Pnr)are dominated by hematite alone,or hematite and magnetite in combination.Progressive thermal,or alternating field,demagnetization allowed us to isolate a stable high temperature component(HTC)in 127 specimens from 16 sites which successfully passed the conglomerate test,consistent with primary remnance.The tilt-corrected mean direction for Late Carboniferous to Early Permian rocks in the northern Qiangtang terrane is D_s=30.2°,I_s=-40.9°,k_s=269.0,a_(95)=2.3°,N=16,which yields a corresponding paleomagnetic pole at 25.7°N,241.5°E(dp/dm=2.8°/1.7°),and a paleolatitude of 23.4°S.Our results,together with previously reported paleomagnetic data,indicate that:(1)the NQT in Tibet,China,was located at a low latitude in the southern hemisphere,and may have belonged to the northern margin of Gondwana during the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian;(2)the Paleo-Tethys Ocean was large during the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian,and(3)the NQT subsequently moved rapidly northwards,perhaps related to the fact that the Paleo-Tethys Ocean was rapidly contracting from the Late Permian to Late Triassic while the Bangong Lake-Nujiang Ocean,the northern branch of the Neo-Tethys Ocean,expanded rapidly during this time.     

Paleomagnetic results from the Late Carboniferous/Early Permian Casper Formation: implications for northern Appalachian tectonics

Paleomagnetic samples were collected from 190 m of the Late Carboniferous/Early Permian Casper Formation in southeastern Wyoming. A total of 549 samples was drilled near the vicinity of Horse Creek Station at an average stratigraphic interval of 33 cm. All samples were reversely magnetized. Rock magnetic analyses indicate that the primary carrier of remanence in the formation is hematite. A selection criterion applied to the partial demagnetized data restricted the sample population to 233, resulting in a paleomagnetic North Pole located at 47.4°N, 127.4°E (δ_p=0.7;δ_m=1.4). The Casper pole agrees well with other Late Carboniferous/Early Permian poles for cratonic North America. The tight clustering of these paleomagnetic poles suggests that little apparent polar motion with respect to North America occurred during this time. Comparing the stable North American poles with paleomagnetic poles from Late Carboniferous/Early Permian strata of the New England-Canadian Maritime region (Acadia) indicates that this region did not reach its present position relative to North America until at least the Early Permian.     

Paleomagnetic data from the Late Carboniferous-Late Permian rocks in eastern Tibet and their implications for tectonic evolution of the northern Qiangtang-Qamdo block

We report paleomagnetic results from the Late Carboniferous-Late Permian strata in eastern Tibet (China), and aim to clarify the tectonic and paleogeographic evolution of the northern Qiangtang-Qamdo block, which is the key to the study of plate boundary between the Gondwanaland and the Eurasia during the late Paleozoic. Two hundred and nineteen samples-including limestone, muddy siltstone, basalt, lava, and tuff-were collected at 24 sites in the Upper Carboniferous and Middle-Upper Permian successions. A systematic study of rock magnetism and paleomagnetism yields three reliable paleomagnetic pole positions. Both hematite and magnetite occurred in the Late Carboniferous limestone samples. The demagnetization curve shows a characteristic double-component, with the remanent magnetization (ChRM) exhibiting a positive polarity (negative inclination). In the Late Permian limestone, tuff, and basalt, magnetic information were recorded primarily in magnetite, although a small fraction of them was found in hematite in basalt. The demagnetization curve illustrates a double or single component, with the ChRM showing a negative polarity (positive inclination), which has passed the classic fold test successfully. The single polarity features of the ChRM directions of the Late Carboniferous and Middle-Late Permian rocks are respectively related to the Kiaman positive and reversed polarities under the stratigraphic coordinates. This, in turn, indicates that both ChRMs directions represent the original remanence directions. By comparison with the previously published paleomagnetic results from the late Paleozoic rocks in the northern Qiangtang Range, we suggest that: (1) Qamdo and northern Qiangtang block were independent of each other during the Late Carboniferous to the Early Permian periods. The north Lancangjiang ocean basin between the two blocks may have closed before the Middle Permian and been involved in the continent-continent collision stage in the Late Permian-Early Triassic periods. (2) The northern Qiangtang-Qamdo Block paleogeographically was situated at low to intermediate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere in the Late Carboniferous-Late Permian periods, and began to displace northward in the Early Triassic, with an amount of more than 5000 km northward transport from its current location.     

Paleomagnetic results of Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks from Xingshan-Zigui section in Hubei Province, South China

The paleomagnetic reconnaissance study of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks from the Yangtze Block (YZB) was made to conduct the Apparent Polar Wander Path (APWP) of the YZB during the Phanerozoic. A total of 825 samples from 84 sites were collected from a continuous section along the Xiangxi River valley in Xingshan and Zigui counties in Hubei Province, northern margin of the YZB. Stepwise thermal/alternating demagnetization isolated well defined characteristic magnetization (ChRM) at a higher temperature in most of the samples, and relatively thermal stability and high coercivity were revealed from these samples. All the ChRMs can pass the fold and/or reversal tests, suggesting that they are probably primary. Therefore, new pole positions are presented for the YZB. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 49334050).     

Paleomagnetic results from the Narosura and Magadi volcanics of Kenya

Results of a paleomagnetic study carried out on the exposed volcanic rocks on the western side of the South Kenya Rift Valley are presented. Nine stratigraphic groups ranging in age from Miocene to Pleistocene were sampled. The rocks consist of basalts, trachytes, nephelinites, melanephelinites, olivine melanephelinites and ignimbrites. Paleomagnetic poles obtained for different age ranges are as follows: Period I (0.64–0.72 Ma), 116°E, 85°N (A₉₅ = 6°); Period II (1.6–6.9 Ma), 297°E, 84°N (A₉₅ = 4°); Period III (12.0–15.0 Ma), 34°E, 80°N (A₉₅ = 9°). The results for Period II show large secular variations which are in disagreement with the model predictions for near-equatorial sites.     

Paleomagnetic results from the Skaergaard intrusion,East Greenland

The natural remanent magnetization of 22 out of a total of 31 oriented cores from the layered series of the Skaergaard gabbroic intrusion (age: 55 m.y.) in East Greenland shows good stability in thermal and AF testing. The average direction of 22 AF and 9 thermally treated specimens isD = 170°,I = ?59°,α₉₅ = 4.2 before correction for tilt. The mean directions after rotation around strike to horizontal and after rotation to original attitudes suggested by others yields poorer population statistics. It is therefore concluded that flexuring took place between solidification and acquisition of remanent magnetization, a range in temperature of about 500°C which may represent an interval of somewhat less than 250,000 years. No evidence for secular variation is observed which may also suggest slow cooling through the blocking temperature range. The polarity is reversed and the pole position without “tilt correction” is 165°E, 61°N,d_m = 6.2,d_p = 4.6, which is similar to pole positions reported by others for the overlying slightly older basalt.     

Paleomagnetic results from lakes Victoria and albert,Uganda

Summary Unfortunately most of the cores taken from Salisbury Channel, Lake Victoria which contained discrete pieces of wood suitable for¹⁴C dating were organic-rich and therefore showed a considerable scattering of the remanent magnetic direction plots resulting in poorly defined oscillations. However, the cores from Pilkington Bay as well as core C5 from Salisbury Channel, Lake Victoria and the cores from Lake Albert show well-defined paleodeclination and paleoinclination logs. Several cores from Pilkington Bay and Lake Albert with some¹⁴C control can be used to verify the isochronous correlation of the paleodeclination and paleoinclination oscillations. Core C5, from Salisbury Channel, Lake Victoria, which did not contain any discrete pieces of plant or shell material has been dated by correlation with other cores which had¹⁴C control. This core which shows the best-defined paleodeclination and paleoinclination logs of this study would appear to have bottomed in sediments in excess of 6000 years BP age and with the work of Maley et al. (1990) from the Cameroons provides a complete record of the Holocene for Central Africa.     

Paleomagnetic evidence for the relative positions of Timor and Australia in the Permian

An Upper Permian paleomagnetic pole has been determined for the Cribas Formation in eastern Timor. The co-ordinates for the mean pole are 159.8°E and 56.6°S,α₉₅ = 9.0. The reliability of the pole is ascertained through thermal demagnetization, a fold test, comparison between red beds and a lava flow, and the presence of normal and reversed polarities. The Timor pole is in excellent agreement with the Australian Upper Permian and Triassic poles. From this it is inferred that autochthonous Timor formed part of the Australian continental margin at least since the Upper Permian.     

Paleomagnetic study of some Cretaceous and tertiary rocks on Hispaniola

Summary A reconnaissance paleomagnetic study of Hispaniola shows that three igneous units in the Dominican Republic possess meaningful directions of magnetism. A Late Cretaceous tonalite, an Eocene pyroxene diorite and a Miocene andesite porphyry have been investigated. The rock material studied is fresh, and has not been affected by secondary oxidation except in the case of the andesite which is occasionally weathered and reveals some hydrothermal alteration. Alternating field and thermal demagnetization result in removal of viscous remanence in some samples, while others reveal a good stability of NRM and little change in direction. The results disclose directions of magnetization substantially different from that of the present earth's field in Hispaniola and from those obtained from contemporaneous rocks of North America. They yield paleomagnetic poles at 23.1° N, 144.9° W for the Cretaceous tonalite and at 17.4° N, 138.0° W for the Eocene diorite, the positions of which are not significantly different from each other, suggesting no change of geomagnetic field direction during the two epochs. These poles have generally similar positions to those obtained from Late Cretaceous rocks on Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The Miocene data fall into two groups, one having a direction corresponding to a pole closely coinciding with the Miocene North American pole and the other giving a paleomagnetic pole at 68.3° N, 151.9° W coinciding with the Miocene pole for Jamaica. Paleotectonic interpretation of the results suggests that like other Greater Antilles, Hispaniola has been subject to large anticlockwise rotation since Late Cretaceous.     

Petrochemistry and origin of pleistocene volcanic rocks from northern Taiwan

The Pleistocene volcanic rocks from northern Taiwan include the Tatun volcano group and the Chilung volcano group. Three rock types occur in this area: Tatun volcano group yield high-alumina basalt and andesites, whereas the chilung volcano group mainly consists of dacites. In addition, amphibole-rich nodules have also been found in different cruptive units of the former volcano group. Around seventy sample of various rock types have been conducted for geochemical studies, including analyses of major elements and trace elements such as Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Zn, Zr, V, Rb and Sr. Results of Al₂O₃, MnO, TiO₂ total alkali content, MgO/ΣFeO and K₂O/Na₂O ratios and AMF diagram indicate that these Pleistocene volcanic rocks belong to typical calalkaline rock series. Detailed study of the trace elements reveals that these volcanic rocks are closely correlated with rocks of continental margin type with respect to Rb, Cu, Co, Ni, V and Cr contents, and K/Rb and Ni/Co ratios. These rocks are most probably derived from the fractionation of basaltic magma controlled mainly by the crystallization of amphibole and plagioclase with magnetite playing a minor role.     

Paleomagnetic and rock magnetic results from the Twin Creek Formation (Middle Jurassic), Wyoming

A magnetization which passes the fold test has been observed in 73 limestone samples (10 sites) from the Middle Jurassic Twin Creek Formation. The pole calculated from the site mean poles is located at 68.4°N, 145.0°E (K = 31.8,A₉₅ = 8.7°). This pole lies in a segment of the North American apparent polar wander (APW) path for which there are only a few reliable poles in the literature. The results corroborate earlier studies which conclude that the Jurassic segment of the APW path does not include the present north pole. However, the position of the Twin Creek pole suggests that significantly more APW took place prior to the late Jurassic than previous studies indicated.     

Paleomagnetic stratigraphy and radiometric dating of the pliocene volcanic rocks of Aegina,Greece

The island of Aegma includes some of the oldest volcanic rocks in the south Hellenic Arc previous radiometric dates range from 3.87 to 4.4 Ma. The volcanic sequence is divided into nine units on the basis of field relations, petrography and geochemistry, and the characteristic paleomagnetic polarity of each unit has been determined. Two new radiometric dates (2.1 and 3.9 Ma) show that the volcanism spans the Pliocene. A detailed chronology is proposed using the paleomagnetic data which places the most voluminous volcanism in the mid Pliocene.     

华北克拉通北缘(怀来—苏尼特右旗)地壳结构

2009年,中国地质科学院地质研究所与美国俄克拉荷马大学合作实施了一条长453 km的深地震反射、宽角反射与折射、三分量反射地震联合探测剖面. 剖面南起怀来盆地,向北依次穿过燕山造山带西缘、内蒙地轴、白乃庙弧带、温都尔庙杂岩带,到达索伦缝合带. 其中,宽角反射与折射剖面采用8个0.5~1.5 t炸药震源激发,使用300套Texan单分量数字检波器接收,获得了高质量的地震资料. 通过资料分析和处理,识别出沉积层及结晶基底的折射波（Pg）、来自上地壳底界面的反射波（Pcp）,中地壳底界面的反射波（Plp）,莫霍界面的反射波（Pmp）及上地幔顶部的折射波（Pn）等5个震相. 分别采用Hole有限差分层析成像和Rayinvr算法对华北克拉通北缘及中亚造山带南部进行了上地壳P波速度结构成像和全地壳二维射线追踪反演成像. 结果显示：（1）中亚造山带地壳厚度~40 km,变化平缓,低于全球平均造山带地壳平均厚度,可能为造山后区域伸展的结果. 阴山—燕山带附近莫霍明显加深,推测其为燕山期造山过程形成的山根,但该山根很可能在后期被改造. （2）测线中部地壳上部速度较高,对应地表大面积花岗岩出露,而下地壳速度较低,速度梯度低,呈通道状,推测其可能曾为古亚洲洋向南俯冲消亡的主动陆缘,并在碰撞后演变为伸展环境下岩浆侵入的通道. （3）华北克拉通北缘与中亚造山带显示出不同速度变化特征,前者变化相对缓而后者则变化剧烈,二者的分界出现在赤峰—白云鄂博断裂附近.     

Paleomagnetic and gravimetrical reconnaissance of Cretaceous volcanic rocks from the Western Colombian Andes: paleogeographic connections with the Caribbean Plate

The reconstruction of the tectonic evolution of the oceanic crust, including the recognition of ancient oceanic plumes and the differentiation between multiple and single oceanic arcs, relies on the paleogeographic analysis of accreted oceanic fragments found in orogenic belts. Here we present paleomagnetic and gravity data from Cretaceous oceanic basaltic and gabbroic rocks, the continental metamorphic basement, and their associated cover from northwestern Colombia. Based on regional scale tectonic reconstructions and geochemical constraints, such rocks have been interpreted as remnants of an oceanic large igneous province formed in southern latitudes, which was accreted to the sialic continental margin during the Late Cretaceous. Gravity analyses suggest the existence of a coherent high density segment separated by major suture zones from a lower density material related to the continental crust and/or thick sedimentary sequences trapped during collision. A characteristic paleomagnetic direction in Early and Late Cretaceous oceanic volcano-plutonic rocks, revealing a southeastern declination (D) and a negative inclination (I), may be interpreted in two different ways: (1a primary magnetization (tilt-corrected direction D = 130.3°, I = -23.3°, k = 23.4, α₉₅ = 26.4°), suggesting clockwise rotation around 130°, and magnetization acquired in southern latitudes (range of 4°S to 21°S); or (2) a remagnetization event during a reverse interval of the Earth’s magnetic field in the Cenozoic (in situ direction D = 128.7°, I = -6.2°, k = 23.1, α₉₅ = 26.1°), suggesting a counter-clockwise rotation around 50°. The first scenario seems more plausible, as it is consistent with previous paleomagnetic studies at other localities; it is compatible with a southern paleogeography for this block, and when integrated with other regional geological and paleomagnetic studies, supports a southern Pacific origin of a major oceanic block, formed as a part of a broader Cretaceous plateau that may have extended south or southwest of Galapagos. After its initial accretion, this block was subsequently fragmented due to the oblique SW-NE approach to the continental margin during the Late Cretaceous.     

Palaeomagnetic study of late precambrian rocks of the midland craton of England and Wales

The Precambrian basement of the British region south of the Caledonian orogenic belt is only observed in a few small inliers; this paper reports a detailed paleomagnetic study of four of these inliers. The Stanner-Hanter amphibolitised gabbro-dolerite complex of uncertain age yields a mean direction of magnetisation D = 282°, I = 51° (15 sites,α₉₅ = 11.4°) after AF and thermal cleaning. Uriconian lavas and tuffs (～700-600 m.y.) of the Pontesford and Wrekin inliers require both thermal and AF cleaning for complete analysis of NRM. The former region (Western Uriconian) yields a mean of D = 136°, I = ?25° (6 sites,α₉₅ = 15.3°) and the latter region (Eastern Uriconian) a mean of D = 78°, I = 17° (9 sites, α₉₅ = 12.8°); the Eastern Uriconian shows a marked improvement in precision after a two-stage fold test, and the palaeomagnetic data suggest that some apparent polar movement took place between eruption of the two sequences. The Uriconian rocks in both areas were intruded by dolerites which yield a mean direction of magnetisation D = 72°, I = 54° (11 sites,α₉₅ = 13.2°).The collective data give palaeomagnetic poles related to Upper Proterozoic metamorphic episodes (Stanner-Hanter Complex and Rushton Schist) which are in close agreement with earlier studies of the Malvernian metamorphic rocks, and to the late Precambrian Uriconian volcanic/hypabyssal igneous episode. All of these magnetisations are probably confined to the interval 700-600 m.y., and are indicative of appreciable polar movement during this interval. The palaeomagnetic poles define an apparent polar wander path for this crustal block between Late Precambrian and Lower Cambrian times and show that cratonic Britain south of the Caledonian suture is unrelated to the Baltic Shield.     

黑龙江东部白垩纪-古近纪古地磁初步结果及其构造意义

陆内块体旋转是周边构造环境和深部构造活动相互作用的结果.前人研究表明华北东部和俄罗斯远东地区晚中生代以来的块体旋转样式,很可能以牡丹江断裂为界发生了显著变化.进一步对牡丹江断裂两侧块体晚中生代以来的块体旋转样式的限定,有助于正确理解这一差异旋转的机制.对采自黑龙江省东部白垩纪和古近纪岩石的(51个采点)古地磁学研究表明,相对于稳定欧亚大陆,牡丹江断裂东侧的佳木斯地块内部的穆棱、鸡西、七台河和桦南地区旋转样式一致,整体发生了30°~40°的逆时针旋转,逆时针旋转很可能发生在晚白垩世末之后.华北东部及俄罗斯远东地区的差异性相对旋转很可能与白垩纪以来太平洋板块的俯冲作用和作为深俯冲带的牡丹江断裂的重新活化有关.     

Paleomagnetic studies of late pleistocene rocks from the Malyi Kut section (Taman Peninsula, Krasnodar krai)

Paleomagnetic studies of Quaternary deposits from the Malyi Kut rock sequence (Krasnodar krai, western part of the Taman Peninsula) in two time intervals of Late Pleistocene are carried out. The Malyi Kut sequence is a marine terrace of the Baku age, which is embedded in the disturbed marine Sarmatian deposits. The terrace of the Bakinian age nests the Karangat marine terrace. The presence of the marine molluscan fauna in the both terraces enables reliable dating of the studied deposits. The composition, grain size, and concentration of ferromagnetic fraction present in the studied rocks are investigated by a set of rock magnetic methods. The directions of natural remanent magnetization (NRM) are studied, and the reliability of their isolation is estimated. The results are compared with the paleomagnetic records of NRM in the rocks of the parallel coeval sections of the Tuzla (Taman Peninsula) and Roxolany (Ukraine). This correlation suggests that the studied rock sequences recorded the Mono Lake geomagnetic excursion.     

Paleomagnetic study of late Proterozoic and Early Cambrian rocks in terranes of the Amur plate

New paleomagnetic data are presented for Proterozoic metamorphic and Cambrian terrigenous-carbonate complexes of the southern Far East of Russia (Primor’e and the Amur and Trans-Baikal regions). Taking into account our results obtained previously, the paper presents revised positions of the paleomagnetic pole corresponding to the Riphean-Lower Paleozoic segment of the apparent polar wander path for terranes of the Amur plate (the Argun and Bureya-Khanka orogenic belts) in comparison with poles from the Siberian and North Chinese plates. It is shown that the paleolatitude positions of the Amur terranes were stable in space and time during the interval from the late Riphean to the end of the Early Cambrian: they were located in equatorial zones of the Northern and Southern hemispheres.     

Paleomagnetic evidence for clockwise rotation of the northern arm of Sulawesi,Indonesia

Paleomagnetic results from the northern arm of Sulawesi show that the arm has been subjected to a clockwise rotation of more than 90° and that its rotational motion began no later than the middle Miocene. The mean direction showing a normal polarity at the Eocene to the early Miocene isD = 98.0° andI = 6.9°. A declination value ofD = 50.1° obtained from Miocene rocks indicates a transition stage of the rotational motion. The datum from Plio-Pleistocene volcanics isD = ?4.6° andI = ?9.3°. This suggests that the rotational motion terminated before the initiation of volcanic activity during the Plio-Pleistocene.     

Paleomagnetic dating of the Cenjiawan Paleolithic site in the Nihewan Basin, northern China

It draws much attention of scientists how early hu- mans occupy and adapt to the rigorous climate and environment at high northern latitudes in East Asia after they stepped out of Africa, passed West Asia and finally arrived in East Asia[1-4]. Reliable age determi- nations of Paleolithic sites from northeastern Asia not only help to find out the earliest occupation of early humans in this region, but also relate to the founda- tion of the overall framework of human origin and migration[1-8]…