Palaeomagnetic study of the Swedish rapakivi suite: Proterozoic tectonics of the Baltic Shield

The major Proterozoic igneous intrusions in the Swedish sector of the Baltic Shield are the Ragunda complex (1293 m.y., palaeomagnetic pole 165°E, 54°N) and the Nordingrågabbro-granite-anorthosite complex (1385 ± 30 m.y.). The latter body has been partially remagnetised by later post-Jotnian dolerites (1254 m.y.), and sites influenced by the dolerites have a stable magnetisation with a mean direction D = 45°, I = ?39°, (α₉₅ = 4.3°). Elsewhere, the gabbro-anorthosite facies have a magnetisation of dual polarity predating the dolerite and recoverable at various stages of thermal and/or a.f. cleaning with a mean of D = 48°, I = 37° (α₉₅ = 5.3°); medium and high coercivity remanence resides in large magnetite grains and fine, predominantly hematite, rods in feldspar megacrysts. The Nordingrårapakivi granite yields a mean, also including dual polarities, of D = 221°, I = ?25° (α₉₅ = 13°), and the Gävle granite yields a mean of D = 26°, I = 17° (α₉₅ = 13°).New data define the a.p.w. path for the Baltic Shield after final uplift and cooling of the ca. 1800 m.y. Svecofennian mobile belt and prior to intrusion of the post-Jotnian dolerites at 1250 m.y.; this (ca. 1500–1200 m.y.) path defines a double loop similar in size and shape to the contemporaneous path for the Laurentian Shield and the paths can be superimposed to define relative positions of the shields. They were in juxtaposition prior to 1200 m.y. with the optimum reconstruction obtained by rotation of approximately 64° about a Euler pole at 1°E, 36°N. Pre-1500 m.y. palaeomagnetic data are also shown to fit this same unique reconstruction. The main geological correlations are an alignment of the Lower/Middle Proterozoic major strike-slip zones, the structural trends within the pre-1700 m.y. mobile belts, and the Grenville and Sveconorwegian (ca. 1100 m.y.) mobile belts. The anorogenic magmatism characteristic of Proterozoic times became gradually more restricted to one active margin of the continental reconstruction as temperature gradients decreased and the crust consolidated. All of these Proterozoic tectonic/magmatic trends are parallel to the long axis of the continental reconstruction.     

First archaeomagnetic results and dating of Neolithic structures in northern Greece

Archaeomagnetism in Greece has continuously developed during the last decades. Numerous studies have provided high quality data and accurate secular variation curves for the direction and intensity of the geomagnetic field have been constructed. The Greek Secular Variation Curves (SVCs) cover the last 8 millennia for intensity and 6 millennia for direction. The coverage of the archaeological periods remains uneven, with several gaps, mostly in the directional dataset, with only two results for periods older than 2500 B.C. In the present contribution, the first archaeomagnetic results from Neolithic settlements in northern Greece are presented. For the present study, samples were collected from three different archaeological sites: burnt structures in Avgi (Kastoria) and Vasili (Farsala) and one oven from Sosandra (Aridaia). The natural remanent magnetization (NRM) grouping of all specimens indicated that the majority of the samples were burnt in situ, providing thus a reliable direction of the ancient field. Magnetic cleaning (both alternating-field and thermal) revealed the presence of one stable component of magnetisation. Rock magnetic experiments (acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM), thermal demagnetisation of the IRM, thermomagnetic curves) have been performed on pilot samples indicating that low coercivity magnetic minerals such as magnetite or Timagnetite are prevailing. The mean directions (declination D, inclination I and parameters of the Fisherian statistics), which arose from the three sites are as follows: Sosandra: D = 343°, I = 55.6°, ??₉₅ = 4.8°; Avgi: D = 10.1°, I = 53.4°, ??₉₅ = 4.2° and Vasili: D = 357.5°, I = 43.1°, ??₉₅ = 4.1°. The obtained data are in a very good agreement with results from Neolithic Bulgaria. This study represents the beginning of an effort to fill the gaps of the Greek secular variation curves and their extension to the Neolithic period.     

Paleomagnetic result of the Lower-Cretaceous from Luanping basin,Hebei Province and its tectonic implications*

A paleomagnetic study of about 95 samples from 16 sites sampled in the Early Cretaceous in Luanping basin in Hebei Province was reported. Stepwise thermal demagnetization was used to isolate magnetic components. Most samples have a characteristic direction with a high temperature component above 500°C. The tectonic-corrected data areD = 347.8°,I = 50.4°, α₉₅ = 7.l°, and the corresponding pole position is at 76.1°N, 346.3°E,with dp =6.4°,dm = 3.8°, paleolatitude λ = 31.1°N. This result indicates a counterclockwise post-Cretaceous rotation of 30.7° ±9.8° with respect to the stable Ordos basin in the west of North China Block, and a non-significant northward motion. This rotation could be related to local fault action or structural detachment, or regional NNW-NWWward motion and collision of Kula-Pacific plate with eastern China since the Early Cretaceous.

     

The rotation of Italy: Preliminary palaeomagnetic data from the Umbrian sequence,Northern Apennines

A preliminary collection of 43 palaeomagnetic samples (10 sites) from the miogeosynclinal and supposedly autochthonous Umbrian sequence in the Northern Apennines, Italy, was analysed by means of alternating magnetic fields and thermal demagnetization studies. The older group of samples, taken from the upper part of the Calcari Diasprini (Malm), the Fucoid Marls (Albian/Cenomanian) and from the basal part of the Scaglia Bianca (Early Late Cretaceous), all showed normal polarity directions and resulted in a mean site direction:D = 290.5°,I = +51.5°,α₉₅ = 11°,k = 74,N = 4.The younger group of samples, taken throughout the Scaglia Rossa sequence (Latest Cretaceous/Middle Eocene) showed normal and reversed polarity directions. In contrast to the older group, the magnetic analysis of these samples resulted in a considerably less dense grouping of site mean directions. This presumably is due to inaccuracies introduced with the very large bedding tilt corrections that had to be applied to the samples of some sites. A tentative mean site direction for these Scaglia Rossa samples was computed as:D = 351°,I = +52.5°,α₉₅ = 23.5°,k = 11.5,N = 5.Despite the low precision of the Scaglia Rossa result, the significant deviation between this Latest Cretaceous/Early Tertiary direction and the Late Jurassic/Early Late Cretaceous direction indicates a counterclockwise rotation of more than forty degrees. This rotation can be dated as Late Cretaceous.How far these data from the Northern Apennines apply to other parts of the Italian Peninsula has yet to be established. The timing of this rotation is not at variance with the data from other parts of Mediterranean Europe (Southern Alps, Iberian Peninsula) and from Africa. However, taking into account the preliminary nature of the results, the amount of rotation of the Northern Apennines seems to surpass the rotation angle which is deduced from the palaeomagnetic data for Africa.     

Paleomagnetism of certain constituents of the Bay St. George sub-basin,western Newfoundland

Paleomagnetic studies have been made of certain constituents of the Bay St. George sub-basin. Specifically, results are reported from the Spout Falls Formation (Tournaisian), the Jeffreys Village Member of the Robinsons River Formation (Visean), and the Searston Formation (Namurian-Westphalian). The following magnetizations have been isolated: Spout Falls A (Tournaisian) with D = 343.5°, I = ?22.7°, k = 61.2, α₉₅ = 7.1° and the corresponding pole at 28.6°N, 139.5°E (4.5°, 8.5°); Spout Falls B (Kiaman) with D = 166.7°, I = 12.2°, k = 51.7, α₉₅ = 10.7° and the corresponding pole at 34.5°S, 42.7°W (5.5°, 10.9°); Jeffreys Village A (Visean) with D = 351.2°, I = ?27.3°, k = 54.0, α₉₅ = 7.6° and the corresponding pole at 26.5°N, 130.7°E (4.5°, 8.3°); Searston A (Namurian) with D = 161.7°, I = 11.7°, k = 107, α₉₅ = 7.4° and the corresponding pole at 33.9°S, 37.2°W (3.8°, 7.5°); and Searston C with D = 111.6°, I = ?13.8°, k = 28.8, α₉₅ = 14.5° and the corresponding pole at 19.6°S, 19.0°E (7.6°, 14.8°). After comparison with paleopoles of similar ages derived from eastern and western Newfoundland rocks, from constituents of the east coast basin and for interior North America, it is concluded that: (1) it is unlikely that any large scale relative motion took place since the Early Carboniferous between eastern and western Newfoundland; (2) it is unlikely that any north-south relative motion took place between the east coast basin and the Bay St. George sub-basin; and (3) the Bay St. George sub-basin results do not support the earlier proposed displaced terrane hypothesis of the northern Appalachians in as much as the motions during the Carboniferous are not supported. There is evidence of the northward motion of the Appalachians and North America as a whole during the Carboniferous. The magnetostratigraphic horizon marker in the Carboniferous separating a dominant normal and reversed magnetization on the older side and an entirely reversed (Kiaman) magnetization on the younger side may be placed in the Bay St. George sub-basin at the base of the Searston Formation.     

New Cambrian paleomagnetic pole for Yangtze Block

A total of 120 samples from 12 sites were collected from two flanks of a fold. Stepwise thermal demagnetization has successfully revealed characteristic magnetization components from the rocks in each case. A well-defined component determined from red fine-grained sandstone is clustered in the northeasterly direction with shallow upward inclination (D = 29.3°,I= -19.2°,k = 283.7, α₉₅ = 7.3°. tilt-corrected). The pole position (39.5°N, 247.3°E,dp = 4.0°,dm = 7.6°) derived from this component is close to the Permian pole for the Yangtze Block, indicating that the red fine-grained sandstone has been overprinted. The red mudstone reveals two characteristic components Component A with lower unblocking temperature, characterized by northerly declination and moderate to steep inclination corresponds to a pole position overlay with the present North Pole. Component B (D = 129.1°,I=-23.6°,k = 44.6, α₉₅ = 7.8°, tilt-corrected) with higher unblocking temperature, passes fold test, and yields a pole position (39.5°S, 185.l°E,dp = 4.4°,dm = 8.3°) different from the other poles for the Yangtze Block. It is therefore suggested that component B was probably a primary magnetization and the Yangtze Block was situated at low latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere in the Middle Cambrian.     

Paleomagnetism of red beds of Early Devonian age from Central Iran

Paleomagnetic results are reported from 13 sites of red beds of Early Devonian age from Central Iran. Detailed paleomagnetic analyses were carried out. Two types of partial progressive demagnetization were applied, one using alternating magnetic fields, the other heating. These procedures resulted in the detection of the characteristic remanences with a mean direction with D = 24.2°, I = 1.3° (α₉₅ = 10.1°). The paleomagnetic pole is located at 51.3°N, 163.7°W. If one shifts the Iranian landmass to its most likely position in the Gondwana configuration, then the position of the paleomagnetic pole coincides with the alternative polar wander path [14,15] which crossed South America in early Middle Paleozoic times.     

Paleomagnetic result of the Lower-Cretaceous from Luanping basin,Hebei Province and its tectonic implications*

A paleomagnetic study of about 95 samples from 16 sites sampled in the Early Cretaceous in Luanping basin in Hebei Province was reported. Stepwise thermal demagnetization was used to isolate magnetic components. Most samples have a characteristic direction with a high temperature component above 500°C. The tectonic-corrected data areD = 347.8°,I = 50.4°, α₉₅ = 7.l°, and the corresponding pole position is at 76.1°N, 346.3°E,with dp =6.4°,dm = 3.8°, paleolatitude λ = 31.1°N. This result indicates a counterclockwise post-Cretaceous rotation of 30.7° ±9.8° with respect to the stable Ordos basin in the west of North China Block, and a non-significant northward motion. This rotation could be related to local fault action or structural detachment, or regional NNW-NWWward motion and collision of Kula-Pacific plate with eastern China since the Early Cretaceous.     

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.     

Palaeomagnetism of porphyritic stocks and rhyolite sills,Avalon Zone of eastern Newfoundland

The eastern segment of the Appalachian orogen is largely underlain by late Precambrian (Hadrynian) rocks affected by the Avalonian, Acadian and possibly Alleghenian orogenies. The provenance of the Avalon Zone of Newfoundland is uncertain. The region investigated in this segment consists of porphyrite stocks and sills (laccoliths) intrusive into the sedimentary, tuffaceous and volcanic rocks of the Harbour Main Group and rhyolite sills intrusive into the porphyrites. Some 55 oriented samples (148 specimens) collected at 11 sites were thermally (20–650°C) and AF (0.05–100 mT) demagnetized. Three components of magnetization were isolated: C (311°, +48°, α₉₅ = 11°, k = 21, 10 sites), A (13°, +37°, α₉₅ = 14°, k = 22, 6 sites), and B (67°, +45°, α₉₅ = 15°, k = 27,5 sites). Based on coercivity spectra, unblocking temperatures, frequency distribution and precision parameters of the respective components, it is suggested that component C is older than component A which is turn is older than component B. The palaeopoles of components C, A and B are: 211°E, 48°N (d_p = 9.8°, d_m = 14.7°); 101°E, 61°N (d_p = 9.6°, d_m = 16.4°); 33°E, 34°N (d_p = 12°, d_m = 19°), respectively. Component C is most probably primary. Component A is secondary and its pole is near that of Carboniferous and Early Permian North America poles, indicating that the porphyrites and the rhyolites were remagnetized in the late Palaeozoic. Component B remains unexplained; it is possible that it is an unresolved pseudo-component but it is more likely an overprint. There are few palaeomagnetic results for the late Precambrian period in Avalon terrane(s). The preliminary results of this study suggest the presence of a separate plate from North American at that time. These results will prove useful for the palaeoreconstruction of the continents (North Africa, northeast Europe) in the late Precambrian period.     

Aspects of Caledonian palaeomagnetism and their tectonic implications

Palaeomagnetic results from the Lower Palaeozoic inliers of northern England cover the upper part of the (Middle Ordovician) Borrowdale Volcanic Series (palaeomagnetic pole 208°E, 18°S, A₉₅ = 9.4°), minor extrusive units relating to the Caradoc and Ashgill stages of Ordovician times, intrusive episodes of Middle Ordovician and Middle Silurian to Late Devonian age, and the Shap Granite of Devonian (393 m.y.) age (palaeomagnetic pole 313°E, 33°S, A₉₅ = 5.6°).A complete assessment of Ordovician to Devonian palaeomagnetic data for the British region shows that the pole was nearly static relative to this region for long intervals which were separated by shifts occupying no more than a few millions of years. The mean palaeomagnetic poles are: Ordovician (6°E, 16°S), Lower Silurian (58°E, 16°N), Middle Silurian/Lower Devonian (318°E, 6°N) and Middle/Upper Devonian (338°E, 26°S); the first two shifts separating these mean poles can be explained predominantly in terms of rotational movements of the crustal plate but the last involved appreciable movement in palaeolatitude.Comparison of Lower Palaeozoic palaeomagnetic data from the British region with contemporaneous data from continental Europe/North America on the Pangaean reconstruction reveals a systematic discrepancy in palaeolatitude between the two regions prior to Middle Devonian times. This discrepancy was eliminated during a few millions of years of Lower/Middle Devonian times (ca. 395 m.y.) and can be explained in terms of ca. 3500 km of sinistral strike-slip movement close to the line of the orthotectonic Caledonides. This motion is linked both in time and place to the impingement of the Gondwanaland and Laurentian supercontinents during the Acadian orogeny; this appears to have displaced the British sub-plate until it became effectively locked between the Baltic and Laurentian regions. Although movement of the dipole field relative to the British region in Lower Palaeozoic times is now well defined, nearly one fifth of the total data show that the geomagnetic field was more complex than dipolar during this interval. Until the significance of these anomalies is fully resolved, the tectonic model derived from the palaeomagnetic data cannot be regarded as unambiguous.     

Lower Jurassic palaeomagnetic results from Yorkshire,England, and their implications

Palaeomagnetic study of Middle Liassic siltstones shows a stable magnetization with a mean direction of D = 12.3°, I = 64.6° (N = 60, k = 26, α₉₅ = 3.9°) corresponding to a palaeomagnetic pole at 79.8°N, 125.6°E, similar to that for southern Germany and confirming predictions based on palaeogeographic reconstructions using North American data. Sideritic concretions of Lower Liassic age show a higher magnetic stability with a mean direction of D = 12.6°, I = 61.4° (N = 125, k = 50, α₉₅ = 1.8°) which is not significantly different from the siltstones. This confirms the sedimentological evidence that suggests that such concretions grew very shortly after deposition, i.e. within the Liassic, and suggests that similar concretions of other ages could thus be used for palaeomagnetic studies. Although the Liassic palaeomagnetic pole (76.9°N, 134.7°E), based on this work, appears valid it is still not possible to evaluate a sensible Mesozoic polar wandering curve for the North Atlantic bordering continents.     

Palaeomagnetism of Mesozoic igneous rocks from the Maranha˜o Basin,Brazil, and the time of opening of the South Atlantic

From Middle-Upper Jurassic volcanics at the western margin of the Maranha?o Basin (6.4°S, 47.4°W) 15 sites (121 samples) have a mean magnetization directionD = 3.9°,I = ?17.9° withα₉₅ = 9.3°,k = 17.9 after AF cleaning (all sites have normal polarity). This yields a pole (named SAJ₂) at 85.3°N, 82.5°E (A₉₅ = 6.9°) which is near to the other known Middle Jurassic South American pole. For 21 sites (190 samples) from Lower Cretaceous basalt intrusions from the eastern part of the Maranha?o Basin (6.5°S, 42°W) the mean direction isD = 174.7°,I = +6.0° withα₉₅ = 2.8°,k = 122 (all sites have reversed polarity) yielding a pole (SAK₉) at 83.6°N, 261°E (A₉₅ = 1.9°) in agreement with other Lower Cretaceous pole positions for South America. Comparing Mesozoic pole positions for South America and Africa in the pre-drift configuration after Bullard et al. [13] one finds a significant difference (with more than 95% probability) for the Lower Cretaceous and Middle Jurassic poles and also a probable difference for the mean Triassic poles indicating a small but probably stationary separation of the two continents from the predrift position in the Mesozoic until Lower Cretaceous time which may be due to an early rifting event.     

Palaeomagnetism of Upper Cretaceous volcanic rocks from Cabo de Sto. Agostinho,Brazil

One hundred samples from nine sites in Upper Cretaceous volcanics (K/Ar age 85–99 m.y.) of the magmatic province of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco (8.4°S, 35.0°W) yield a mean direction of magnetizationD = 0.4°, I = ?20.6°withα₉₅ = 4.8°, k = 114 after AF cleaning. All sites have normal polarity with a mean pole, named SAK₁₀, at 87.6°N, 135°E withA₉₅ = 4.5° which is close to other Upper Cretaceous poles for South America. These poles are compared with Upper Cretaceous poles of Africa for various reconstructions of the two continents.     

Palaeomagnetism and K-Ar ages of triassic igneous rocks from the Ischigualasto-Ischichuca Basin and Puesto Viejo Formation,Argentina

The palaeomagnetism of Middle Triassic (224 ± 5 m.y.) igneous rocks from the Ischigualasto-Ischichuca Basin (67°40′W, 30°20′S) was investigated through 86 oriented hand samples from 11 sites. At least one reversal of the geomagnetic field has been found in these rocks. Nine sites yield a palaeomagnetic pole at 239°E, 79°S (α₉₅ = 15°, k = 13).The K-Ar age determinations of five igneous units of the Puesto Viejo Formation give a mean age of 232 ± 4 m.y. (Early Triassic). The palaeomagnetism of six igneous units of the Puesto Viejo Formation (68°W, 35°S) was investigated through 60 oriented samples. These units, two reversed relative to the present magnetic field of the Earth and four normal, yield a pole at 236°E, 76°S (α₉₅ = 18°, k = 14).Data from the Puesto Viejo Formation indicate, for the first time on the basis of palaeomagnetic and radiometric data, that the Illawarra Zone, which defines the end of the Kiaman Magnetic Interval, extends at least down to 232 ± 4 m.y. within the Early Triassic. The palaeomagnetic poles for the igneous rocks of the Ischigualasto-Ischichuca Basin and Puesto Viejo Formation form an “age group” with the South American Triassic palaeomagnetic poles (mean pole position: 239°E, 77°S; α₉₅ = 6.6°, k = 190). The Middle and Upper Permian, Triassic and Middle Jurassic palaeomagnetic poles for South America would define a “time group” reflecting a quasi-static interval (mean pole position: 232°E, 81°S; α₉₅ = 4°, k = 131).     

Earthquake focal mechanisms and stress inversion in the Irpinia Region (southern Italy)

The goal of this study was to estimate the stress field acting in the Irpinia Region, an area of southern Italy that has been struck in the past by destructive earthquakes and that is now characterized by low to moderate seismicity. The dataset are records of 2,352 aftershocks following the last strong event: the 23 November 1980 earthquake (M 6.9). The earthquakes were recorded at seven seismic stations, on average, and have been located using a three-dimensional (3D) P-wave velocity model and a probabilistic, non-linear, global search technique. The use of a 3D velocity model yielded a more stable estimation of take-off angles, a crucial parameter for focal mechanism computation. The earthquake focal mechanisms were computed from the P-wave first-motion polarity data using the FPFIT algorithm. Fault plane solutions show mostly normal component faulting (pure normal fault and normal fault with a strike-slip component). Only some fault plane solutions show strike-slip and reverse faulting. The stress field is estimated using the method proposed by Michael (J Geophys Res 92:357–368, 1987a) by inverting selected focal mechanisms, and the results show that the Irpinia Region is subjected to a NE–SW extension with horizontal σ ₃ (plunge 0°, trend 230°) and subvertical σ ₁ (plunge 80°, trend 320°), in agreement with the results derived from other stress indicators.     

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.     

Paleomagnetism and magnetic fabrics of Mio-Pliocene hypabyssal rocks of the Combia event,Colombia: tectonic implications

Mio-Pliocene hypabyssal rocks of the Combia event in the Amagá basin (NW Andes-Colombia), contain a deformational record of the activity of the Cauca-Romeral fault system, and the interaction of terranes within the Choco and northern Andean blocks. Previous paleomagnetic studies interpreted coherent counterclockwise rotations and noncoherent modes of rotation about horizontal axes for the Combia intrusives. However, rotations were determined from in-situ paleomagnetic directions and the existing data set is small. In order to better understand the deformational features of these rocks, we collected new paleomagnetic, structural, petrographic and magnetic fabric data from well exposed hypabyssal rocks of the Combia event. The magnetizations of these rocks are controlled by a low-coercivity ferromagnetic phase. Samples respond well to alternatingfield demagnetization isolating a magnetization component of moderate coercivity. These rocks do not have ductile deformation features. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and morphotectonic analysis indicate that rotation about horizontal axes is consistently to the south-east, suggesting the need to apply a structural correction to the paleomagnetic data. The relationships between magnetic foliations and host-rock bedding planes indicate tectonic activity initiated before ~10 Ma. We present a mean paleomagnetic direction (declination D = 342.8°, inclination I = 12.1°, 95% confidence interval α₉₅ = 12.5°, precision parameter k = 8.6, number of specimens n = 18) that incorporates structural corrections. The dispersion S = 27° of site means cannot be explained by secular variation alone, but it indicates a counterclockwise rotation of 14.8° ± 12.7° relative to stable South America. Paleomagnetic data within a block bounded by the Sabanalarga and Cascajosa faults forms a more coherent data set (D = 336.5°, I = 17.4°, α₉₅ = 11.7°, k = 12.5, n = 14), which differs from sites west of the Sabanalarga fault and shows a rotation about a vertical axis of 20.2° ± 10.7°. Deformation in the Amagá basin may be tentatively explained by the obduction of the Cañas Gordas terrane over the northwestern margin of the northern Andean block. However, it can also be related to the local effects of the Cauca-Romeral fault system.     

Paleomagnetic results from Permian rocks of the northern Saharan craton and motions of the Moroccan Meseta and Pangea

The characteristic magnetization of redbed samples from the upper part of the Série d'Abadla (probably Early Permian 31°N, 2.7°W) has a mean direction derived from 13 sites of D=129°, I=11°, k=59, α₉₅=6° and a corresponding south paleopole at 29°S, 60°E, A₉₅=5°. All directions have reversed polarity. The paleolatitude of the northern fringe of the Saharan craton was 6°±3°S, which is in excellent agreement with that for the Moroccan Meseta. Therefore, in all probability, there has been no paleolatitudinal displacement greater than about 500 km of the Moroccan Meseta relative to Africa since Permian time. Comparison of results from sedimentary rocks shows no evidence for relative rotation of the Moroccan Meseta since Permian time. Small apparent rotations are indicated by evidence from massive trachyandesite lavas from Morocco, but we argue that these could have arisen from the incomplete averaging of secular variation and uncertainties in estimates of paleohorizontal, rather than from true tectonic rotations. The combined latest Carboniferous/Early Permian paleopole for the Saharan craton and the Meseta differs form the path of apparent polar wandering for North America when the continents are assembled in Wegener's Pangea (Pangea A, in which northwest Africa is opposite North America). It is in reasonable agreement when the continents are assembled in the Pangea B configuration (northwest Africa opposite Europe).