Precambrian palaeomagnetism in Australia II: Basic dykes from the Gawler Block

A palaeomagnetic study of fourty Precambrian dykes which intrude the Gawler Block in South Australia, reveals two principal groups of directions after magnetic cleaning. Pole positions computed from dyke-mean V.G.P.s lie at 50.8°E, 61.4°S (A⁹⁵ = 8.6°) for group GA and 86.4°E, 22.8°S (A⁹⁵ = 11.3°) for group GB. Rb-Sr geochronological studies on samples from the two groups indicate that the dykes constituting group GB were intruded at 1700 ± 100 m.y. and the dykes which yield group GA at 1500 ± 200 m.y. Both palaeomagnetic poles coincide with pole positions previously obtained from a study of the South Australian Precambrian haematite ore bodies, thereby providing age constraints on their date of formation.     

A new palaeomagnetic investigation of Mesozoic igneous rocks in Australia

Palaeomagnetic results have been obtained from four Australian igneous rock formations ranging in age from Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. These new sampling localities cover a much larger area than previously represented by Australian data. It is demonstrated that the pole positions yielded by the Kangaroo Island basalt (viz. 39° S 183° E, A₉₅ = 11°) dated at 170 m.y. and the Early Jurassic western Victoria basalts (viz. 47° S 18 6° E, A 95 = 4°) agree with results from other continents in the context of Gondwanaland. The pole position for the Bendigo dykes (47° S 135° E, A₉₅ = 39°) confirm the ‘anomalous’ results previously obtained from southeastern Australia. The fourth pole position, obtained from the Bunbury basalt of Western Australia (dated at around 90 m.y.) is in good agreement with other Cretaceous data for Australia, implying that pole positions for the Jurrassic and Cretaceous periods should now be considered separately.     

Paleomagnetism of early Aphebian diabase dykes from the slave structural province, Canada

Early Aphebian dykes (lowermost Proterozoic) intrude the Archean terrain of the Slave Structural Province of the Canadian Shield and paleomagnetic results from them are reported. The Dogrib dykes, with an Rb/Sr age of 2692 ± 80 mm.y., have directions of magnetization directed toward the NW without reversals (16 sites; 309, + 37; α₉₅ = 4°; pole 35S, 050W). The Indin dykes, with an Rb/Sr age of 2093 ± 86 mm.y., have magnetization directed toward the SE with reversals (13 sites; 131, + 58; α₉₅ = 8°; pole 19N, 076W). Other, less well-documented data from a third dyke swarm (the “X” dykes) and a basic sill (the Duck Lake Sill), are also presented, and a very tentative polar path for the Slave Province in the earlier Proterozoic is given. This path is not greatly different from a similar very tentative early Aphebian polar path from the Archean Superior Province, considering the uncertainties in the paleomagnetic and age determinations. We interpret this to mean either that the intervening Hudsonian Structural Province (−1850 m.y.) was not the site of a wide plate-style opening and closing ocean, or if it was, the two bounding Archean cratons returned approximately to their original relative position.     

Palaeomagnetic data from the precambrian Gwalior traps, Central India

From alternating-field and thermal demagnetization studies on two dolerite “Traps” in the Gwalior Series (Central India), dated at 1830 ±200 m.y., three different palaeomagnetic directions could be distinguished. The characteristic magnetization component, which is considered as the primary magnetization, has a mean direction: D=78°, I=+34.5°, α₉₅=5°, k=369, N=4 (Pole): 155.5°E19°N, dp=3°, dm=5.5°.A comparison of the presented data with other Precambrian and Phanerozoic data from the Indian subcontinent might suggest that the Indian subcontinent underwent a continuous anticlockwise rotational movement during the last 1800 m.y.     

Palaeomagnetic correlations of Precambrian formations of east-central Africa and their tectonic implications

Palaeomagnetic poles derived from Precambrian formations can be valuable for determining relative, and sometimes absolute, ages of the formations. In this paper palaeomagnetic results are presented from a variety of these formations in Tanzania and Zambia. The Ikorongo Group sediments of Tanzania give a pole at 80° E, 25° S commensurate with an age of 900–1000 m.y. The lower Buanji Series of southern Tanzania yields a pole at 263°E,87°N indicating an age of either Late Precambrian (c. 650 m.y.) or Early Cambrian. The Plateau Series outcrop at the southern end of Lake Tanganyika gives several poles falling on the Late Precambrian to Ordovician apparent polar wander loop recognized by McElhinny et al. (1974), and a small amount of evidence from the Abercorn Sandstone and southern part of the Plateau Series outcrop suggests an age of c. 900 m.y. for these rocks. Dating of formations at the southern end of the Lake Tanganyika depression gives an estimate of 1500 m for the minimum amount of downthrow at this end of the rift system. Five sites from the Mbozi gabbro—syenite complex of southern Tanzania give a pole at 68° E, 72° N and two sites from Mbala dolerites of Zambia yield a pole close to one from the Bukoban dolerites of Tanzania and a similar age (c. 806 m.y.) is suggested.Some palaeomagnetic information is now available from all the Proterozoic platform sediments margining the Tanganyika craton and a correlation scheme is given which incorporates this information together with geochronological data. These formations postdate geosynclinal sequences involved in the Kibaran (c. 1300 m.y.) and Irumide (c. 1100 m.y.) mobile belts, and geological environment and situation demonstrate that the Tanganyika craton was subject to intermittent uplift between about 1000 m.y. and Cambrian times.     

Palaeomagnetic results from the Early Permian Copacabana Group, southern Peru: Implication for Pangaea palaeogeography

Samples collected from folded carbonate rocks of the Early Permian Copacabana Group exposed in the Peruvian Subandean Zone have been subjected to detailed palaeomagnetic analysis. Thermal demagnetisation of most samples yield stable high unblocking temperature directions dominantly carried by titanomagnetite minerals. This remanence, identified in 32 samples (43 specimens), is exclusively of reverse polarity consistent with the Permian–Carboniferous Reversal Superchron (PCRS). The overall directions pass the fold test at the 99% confidence level and are considered as being a pre-folding remanence acquired in Early Permian times. The Copacabana Group yields an overall mean direction of D = 166°, I = +49° (α₉₅ = 4.5°, k = 131.5, N = 9 sites) in stratigraphic coordinates and a corresponding palaeosouth pole position situated at λ = 68°S,  = 321°E (A₉₅ = 5.2°, K = 100). Combining this pole with the coeval high quality data from South America, Africa and Australia results in a mean pole for Gondwana situated at λ = 34.4°S,  = 065.6°E (A₉₅ = 4.9°, K = 73.6, N = 13 studies) in African coordinates. This pole position supports a Pangaea B palaeogeography in Early Permian times. In contrast, the combined pole for Gondwana diverges from the coeval Laurasian mean pole when assuming the Pangaea A-type configuration. Poor quality of the Gondwana dataset and inclination shallowing in sediments seem to play no role in the misfit between the Permian–Triassic poles from Gondwana and Laurasia in Pangaea A reconstruction.     

Palaeomagnetic study of Archaean Banded Hematite Jasper Rocks from the Singhbhum-Orissa Craton, India

The Banded Hematite Jasper Formation within the Iron Ore Supergroup of the Singhbhum Craton in eastern India comprises fine alternating layers of jasper and specularite. It was deposited at 3000 Ma and deformed by a mobile episode at 2700 Ma. Hematite pigment (<1 μm) mixed with cryptocrystalline silica and specularite (> 10 μm) is chiefly responsible for red to brown rhythmic bands in the hematite jasper facies although thermomagnetic study also shows that minor amounts (1–2%) of magnetite are present. Palaeomagnetic study identifies a dual polarity remanence resident in hematite (D/I = 283/60°, α₉₅ = 12°) which predates deformation. Studies of the fabric of magnetic susceptibility and rock magnetic results suggest a diagenetic origin for this magnetisation with the hematite formed from oxidation of primary magnetite. The palaeopole (32°E, 24°N, dp/dm = 14/18°) records the earliest post-metamorphic magnetisation event in the Orissa Craton. A minimum apparent polar wander motion of the Orissa-Singhbhum craton of through 80° is identified during Late Archaean times (2900-2600 Ma).     

A review of Antarctic granulite-facies rocks

Precambrian granulite-facies rocks occur in significant proportion in the East Antarctic Precambrian shield. Ages of metamorphic and deformational events range from 2500 m.y. to about 500 m.y., but some rocks are much older, notably the approximately 3500 m.y. ages for crust formation in Enderby Land. Mineral assemblages over most of the area are typical of the hornblende granulite facies, and sparse temperature pressure estimates indicate metamorphism at 700–800°C and 5–8 kbar at reduced water pressures. A terrane of exceptional interest is the Napier complex of Enderby Land, where sapphirine-quartz ± garnet, sillimanite-orthopyroxene, osumilite, and inverted pigeonite are associated with pyroxene-granulite-facies rocks. Metamorphic conditions are estimated to have reached 900°–980°C, 7–9 kbar, and p_H2O < 0.5 kbar. Metamorphism in the Napier complex, and possibly in other parts of East Antarctica, may be associated with large loss of fluid rather than massive influx of CO₂.     

Palaeomagnetism of some rocks from Peninsular India and Kashmir

A palaeomagnetic study of seven sites in redbeds of the Late Precambrian Bhander and Rewa Series of the Upper Vindhyan System confirms that their original magnetization was extensively overprinted during the Early Tertiary, possibly related to the extrusion of the Deccan Traps about 65 Ma ago. Careful thermal demagnetization at temperatures close to the Curie Temperature of hematite revealed the primary magnetization in 100 of 121 specimens investigated. The resulting palaeomagnetic pole for the Upper Vindhyan System lies at 51.0S 37.8E. A combination with all previous results gives an overall palaeomagnetic pole at 47.3S 32.7E (N = 18, K = 35.5, A₉₅ = 5.8°). Twelve samples from the Gwalior Traps (1830 Ma) give a palaeomagnetic pole at 16N 160.5E after magnetic cleaning.Twelve flows collected from the Permo-Carboniferous Panjal Traps of Kashmir give mean direction D = 156.5, I = + 32.5 (κ = 19.8, α₉₅ = 9.9°) with a positive fold test. The palaeomagnetic pole (32N 282E), however, lies close to that observed for Deccan Trap times in India. It appears that the magnetization of the Panjal Traps was acquired during the Early Tertiary Himalayan uplift following which they were tilted to their present attitudes.     

Paleomagnetic Study of the Juiz de Fora Complex, SE Brazil: Implications for Gondwana

The Juiz de Fora Complex is mainly composed of granulites, and granodioritic-migmatite gneisses and is a cratonic basement of the Ribeira belt. Paleomagnetic analysis on samples from 64 sites widely distributed along the Além Paraíba dextral shear zone (SE Brazil, Rio de Janeiro State) yielded a northeastern, steep downward inclination direction (Dm=40.4°, Im=75.4, a₉₅=6.0°, K=20.1) for 30 sites. The corresponding paleomagnetic pole (RB) is situated at 335.2°E; 0.6°S (a₉₅=10.0°; K=7.9). Rock magnetism indicates that both (titano)magnetite and titanohematite are the main magnetic minerals responsible for this direction. Anisotropy of low-field magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements were used to correct the ChRM directions and consequently its corresponding paleomagnetic pole. This correction yielded a new mean ChRM (Dm = 2.9°, Im = 75.4°, a₉₅ = 6.4°, K = 17.9) whose paleomagnetic pole RBc is located at 320.1°E, 4.2° N (a₉₅=10.3°, K=7.5). Both mean ChRM and paleomagnetic pole obtained from uncorrected and corrected data are statistically different at the 95% confidence circle. Geological and geochronological data suggest that the age of the Juiz de Fora Complex pole is probably between 535–500 Ma, and paleomagnetic results permit further constraint on these ages to the interval 520–500 Ma by comparison with high quality paleomagnetic poles in the 560–500 Ma Gondwana APW path.     

Paleomagnetism of the earliest Cretaceous to early late Cretaceous sandstones, Khorat Group, Northeast Thailand: Implications for tectonic plate movement of the Indochina block

A total of 400 samples (33 sites) were collected from the earliest Cretaceous to early Late Cretaceous sandstones of the Khorat Group in the Indochina block for paleomagnetic study to unravel the tectonic evolution of the region. The sites were adopted from 3 traverses located in the northern edge of the Khorat Plateau, northeastern Thailand. Results indicate that almost all the sandstones exhibit similar magnetic values with an average declination (D) = 31.7°, inclination (I) = 30.3°, λ = 59.7°,  = 190.9°, K = 54.4, and A₉₅ = 3.7 at reference point 17°30′N and 103°30′E. The calculated paleolatitude points are inferred to deviate from the present latitude point by 1.2 ± 2.3°. Only the lowermost part of the Cretaceous sandstones can pass a positive fold test at 95% confidence level. The relationship between the virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) of Cretaceous rocks of the Indochina plate in Thailand and those of the South China plate advocate that there is a major displacement of Indochina along the northwest-trending Red River and associated faults by about 950 ± 150 km with a 16.0–17.0° clockwise rotation relative to the South China plate during earliest Cretaceous times. Paleomagnetic results of the early Late Cretaceous Indochina plate point to a 20–25° clockwise rotation relative to the present occurring since very Late Cretaceous (65 Myrs)–Early Neogene times which may be due to the collision between India and Asia.     

A paleomagnetic polarity transition in the devonian columbus limestone of Ohio: A possible stratigraphic tool

A 40-m section, including the top 1 m of the Raisin River Dolomite, 31 m of the type section of the Columbus Limestone, and 7 m of the Delaware Limestone, was sampled at 15-cm intervals for paleomagnetic stratigraphy. The Raisin River Dolomite and the first meter of the Columbus Limestone were normally magnetized (position of the paleomagnetic pole: 24°N164°E, dp = 9.3°, dm = 11.3°). The next 16 m of the Columbus Limestone shows what the author interprets to be a transition zone from normal to reversely magnetized sediments. This is followed by 22 m of reversely magnetized sediments of the Columbus Limestone (position of the paleomagnetic pole: 45°N120°E, dp = 2.9°, dm = 1.6°) and 7 m of the Delaware Limestone (position of the paleomagnetic pole: 48°N118°E, dp = 4.0°, dm = 2.0°). Since the section might not represent sufficient time to average out secular variation, these pole positions may not represent the axial geocentric dipole. The reversal should be useful as a stratigraphic marker horizon. The transition zone should be useful for a detailed study of an Early Paleozoic reversal of the earth's magnetic field. Due to the low inclination values the reversal is best seen in the declinations.     

Paleomagnetism and U–Pb geochronology of the Black Range dykes,Pilbara Craton,Western Australia: a Neoarchean crossing of the polar circle

We report a new paleomagnetic pole for the Black Range Dolerite Suite of dykes, Pilbara craton, Western Australia. We replicate previous paleomagnetic results from the Black Range Dyke itself, but find that its magnetic remanence direction lies at the margin of a distribution of nine dyke mean directions. We also report two new minimum ID-TIMS ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb baddeleyite ages from the swarm, one from the Black Range Dyke itself (>2769 ± 1 Ma) and another from a parallel dyke whose remanence direction lies near the centre of the dataset (>2764 ± 3 Ma). Both ages are slightly younger than a previous combined SHRIMP ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb baddeleyite weighted mean date from the same swarm, with slight discordance interpreted as being caused by thin metamorphic zircon overgrowths. The updated Black Range suite mean remanence direction (D = 031.5°, I = 78.7°, k = 40, α₉₅ = 8.3°) corresponds to a paleomagnetic pole calculated from the mean of nine virtual geomagnetic poles at 03.8°S, 130.4°E, K = 13 and A₉₅ = 15.0°. The pole's reliability is bolstered by a positive inverse baked-contact test on a younger Round Hummock dyke, a tentatively positive phreatomagmatic conglomerate test, and dissimilarity to all younger paleomagnetic poles from the Pilbara region and contiguous portions of Australia. The Black Range pole is distinct from that of the Mt Roe Basalt (or so-called ‘Package 1’ of the Fortescue Group), which had previously been correlated with the Black Range dykes based on regional stratigraphy and imprecise SHRIMP U–Pb ages. We suggest that the Mt Roe Basalt is penecontemporaneous to the Black Range dykes, but with a slight age difference resolvable by paleomagnetic directions through a time of rapid drift of the Pilbara craton across the Neoarchean polar circle.     

Palaeomagnetic data for Permian and Triassic rocks from drill holes in the Southern Sydney Basin, New South Wales

A section 300 m thick across the Permian—Triassic boundary has been sampled in the Southern Coalfield of the Sydney Basin, New South Wales. 55 samples, mainly grey to drab sandstones, were collected from 9 diamond drill holes which penetrated the entire Narrabeen Group and the upper part of the conformably underlying Illawarra Coal Measures, as well as a sill emplaced into the coal measures. The samples included fully oriented cores. Additional reconnaissance samples from two further drill holes were also studied.Partial alternating field demagnetization and petrography indicate the magnetic remanence to be a stable DRM. Partial thermal demagnetization above 300°C or 400°C caused large increases in magnetic susceptibility. Partial chemical demagnetization did not cause significant changes in remanence directions.For the Coal Cliff Sandstone (basal Narrabeen Group, Triassic) the palaeomagnetic pole position (Normal) was calculated to be at 59°N 322°E (dp = 27°, dm = 29°), which agrees with previously published data. For the uppermost coal measures (Permian) the pole position was calculated as 58°N 340°E (dp = 09°, dm = 10°). Data for samples from the lower to middle coal measures yield a pole position which is between the new Permian—Triassic pole position and that for the underlying Middle Permian igneous rocks. The top of the Reversed “Kiaman Magnetic Interval” (Permian) may be near the Tongarra coal and Appin Formation boundary — (early) Late Permian.     

Paleomagnetism and Detrital Zircon Geochronology of the Upper Vindhyan Sequence, Son Valley and Rajasthan, India: A ca. 1000 Ma Closure age for the Purana Basins?

The utility of paleomagnetic data gleaned from the Bhander and Rewa Groups of the “Purana-aged” Vindhyanchal Basin has been hampered by the poor age control associated with these units. Ages assigned to the Upper Vindhyan sequence range from Cambrian to the Mesoproterozoic and are derived from a variety of sources, including ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and δ ¹³C correlations with the global curves and Ediacara-like fossil finds in the Lakheri–Bhander limestone. New analyses of the available paleomagnetic data collected from this study and previous work on the 1073 Ma Majhgawan kimberlite, as well as detrital zircon geochronology of the Upper Bhander sandstone and sandstones from the Marwar SuperGroup suggest that the Upper Vindhyan sequence may be up to 500 Ma older than is commonly thought. Paleomagnetic analysis generated from the Bhander and Rewa Groups yields a paleomagnetic pole at 44°N, 214.0°E (A95 = 4.3°). This paleomagnetic pole closely resembles the VGP from the well-dated Majhgawan intrusion (36.8°N, 212.5°E, α₉₅ = 15.3°).Detrital zircon analysis of the Upper Bhander sandstone identifies a youngest age population at 1020 Ma. A comparison between the previously correlated Upper Bhander sandstone and the Marwar sandstone detrital suites shows virtually no similarities in the youngest detrital suite sampled. The main 840–920 Ma peak is absent in the Upper Bhander. This supports our assertion that the Upper Bhander is older than the 750–771 Ma Malani sequence, and is likely close to the age of the 1073 Ma Majhgawan kimberlite on the basis of the paleomagnetic similarities. By setting the age of the Upper Vindhyan at 1000–1070 Ma, several intriguing possibilities arise. The Bhander–Rewa paleomagnetic pole allows for a reconstruction of India at 1000–1070 Ma that overlaps with the 1073 ± 13.7 Majhgawan kimberlite VGP. Comparisons between the composite Upper Vindhyan pole (43.9°N, 210.2°E, α₉₅ = 12.2°) and the Australian 1071 ± 8 Ma Bangamall Basin sills and the 1070 Ma Alcurra dykes suggest that Australia and India were not adjacent at this time period.     

Paleomagnetic dating of Alleghanian orogenesis and mineralisation in the Mascot–Jefferson City zinc district of East Tennessee, USA

The Mascot–Jefferson City (M-JC) Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits are in the Valley and Ridge province of the Appalachian orogen in East Tennessee. They have been a major source of zinc for the USA but their age is uncertain and thus their genesis controversial. About 10 specimens from each of 37 sites have been analysed paleomagnetically using alternating field and thermal step demagnetisation methods and saturation isothermal remanence methods. The sites sample limestones, dolostones, breccia clasts and sphalerite–dolomite MVT mineralisation from mines in the Lower Ordovician Kingsport and Mascot formations of the Knox Group. The characteristic remanent magnetisation (ChRM) is carried by magnetite in the limestones, by both magnetite and pyrrhotite in the dolostones and by pyrrhotite preferentially to magnetite in the mineralisation. Mineralized sites have a more intense ChRM than non-mineralised, indicating that the mineralising and magnetisation event are coeval. Paleomagnetic breccia tests on clasts at the three sites are negative, indicating that their ChRM is post-depositional remagnetisation, and a paleomagnetic fold test is negative, indicating that the ChRM is a remagnetisation, and a post-dates peak Alleghanian deformation. The unit mean ChRM direction for the: (a) limestones gives a paleopole at 129°E, 12°N (d_p=18°, d_m=26°, N=3), indicating diagenesis formed a secondary chemical remanent magnetisation during the Late Ordovician–Early Silurian; (b) dolomitic limestones and dolostone host rocks gives a paleopole at 125.3°E, 31.9°N (d_p=5.3°, d_m=9.4°, N=7), recording regional dolomitisation at 334±14 Ma (1σ); and (c) MVT mineralisation gives a paleopole at 128.7°E, 34.0°N (d_p=2.4°, d_m=4.4°, N=25), showing that it acquired its primary chemical remanence at 316±8 Ma (1σ). The mineralisation is interpreted to have formed from hydrothermal fluid flow, either gravity or tectonically driven, after peak Alleghanian deformation in eastern Tennessee with regional dolomitisation of the host rocks occurring as part of a continuum during the 20 Ma prior to and during peak deformation.     

Paleomagnetism of the Siberian traps: New data and a new overall 250 Ma pole for Siberia

The flood basalt province in Siberia is one of the largest in the world but the number of reliable paleomagnetic data on these volcanics is still limited. We studied lava flows and trap-related intrusions from two areas in the north and west of the Siberian platform. A dual-polarity characteristic component was isolated from most samples with the aid of stepwise thermal and alternating field demagnetization. We then compiled all published paleomagnetic data on the Siberian traps that have been obtained according to modern standards; also included are presumably trap-related overprint directions in Paleozoic rocks. Although these overprints and trap results may locally differ, the corresponding mean poles based on remagnetized sediments and volcanics show excellent overall agreement and justify pooling of both data types. Several ways of data grouping were attempted; the trap mean pole proved to be rather insensitive to statistical treatment. Irrespective of the averaging procedure used, the overall mean poles for the Siberian traps (NSP2: 55.1°N, 147.0°E; N = 8, K = 123, A₉₅ = 5.0° or NSP4: 57.2°N, 151.1°E; N = 8, K = 192, A₉₅ = 4.0°) differ slightly, but significantly from the coeval mean poles of Baltica [Torsvik, 2001; Van der Voo, R., and Torsvik, T.H., The quality of the European Permo-Triassic paleopoles and its impact on Pangea reconstructions, in: Timescales of the Paleomagnetic Field, J. E. T. Channell, D.V. Kent, W. Lowrie, and J.G. Meert, eds., AGU Geophys. Monogr., 2004, 135, 29–42]. We consider possible causes for this difference and conclude that it could be explained either by persistent non-dipole terms in the Permo-Triassic geomagnetic field or widespread inclination shallowing in the European data.     

Geochronology and paleomagnetism of mafic igneous rocks in the Olenek Uplift, northern Siberia: Implications for Mesoproterozoic supercontinents and paleogeography

We present a new, reliably dated Mesoproterozoic paleopole for Siberia, based on a combined geochronological and paleomagnetic study of mafic rocks within the Mesoproterozoic Sololi Group of the Olenek Uplift in northern Siberia. Ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb analysis yields crystallisation ages of 2036 ± 11 Ma for zircon from a basement granite and 1473 ± 24 Ma for baddeleyite from a large dolerite sill within the Kyutingde Formation. The baddeleyite result indicates that the lower Sololi Group is significantly older than was suggested by previous K–Ar results. Paleomagnetic analysis of the dolerite sill and related mafic intrusive rocks yields a paleopole at 33.6°N, 253.1°E, A₉₅ = 10.4°. A positive baked-contact test between the Kyutingde sill and sedimentary country rocks shows that the magnetisation is primary. Comparison of this paleopole with coeval results for Laurentia provides a revised reconstruction between Siberia and Laurentia, and implies that these two continents were parts of a single Mesoproterozoic supercontinent since at least 1473 Ma. We argue that Siberia, Laurentia, and Baltica belonged to the same supercontinent between 1473 Ma and mid-Neoproterozoic time.     

Internal deformation of Sikhote Alin volcanic belt, far eastern Russia: Paleocene paleomagnetic results

We present paleomagnetic results of Paleocene welded tuffs of the 53–50 Ma Bogopol Group from the northern region (46°N, 137°E) of the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt. Characteristic paleomagnetic directions with high unblocking temperature components above 560 °C were isolated from all the sites. A tilt-corrected mean paleomagnetic direction from the northern region is D=345.8°, I=49.9°, α₉₅=14.6° (N=9). The reliability of the magnetization is ascertained through the presence of normal and reversed polarities. The mean paleomagnetic direction from the northern region of the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt reflects a counterclockwise rotation of 29° from the Paleocene mean paleomagnetic direction expected from its southern region. The counterclockwise rotation of 25° is suggested from the paleomagnetic data of the Kisin Group that underlies the Bogopol Group. These results establish that internal tectonic deformation occurred within the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt over the past 50 Ma. The northern region from 44.6° to 46.0°N in the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt was subjected to counterclockwise rotational motion through 29±17° with respect to the southern region. The tectonic rotation of the northern region is ascribable to relative motion between the Zhuravlevka terrane and the Olginsk–Taukhinsk terranes that compose the basements of the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt.     

Paleomagnetism and geochronology of an Early Proterozoic quartz diorite in the southern Rind River Range, Wyoming, USA

We present geochronologic and paleomagnetic data from a north-trending quartz diorite intrusion that cuts Archean metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks of the South Pass Greenstone Belt of the Wyoming craton. The quartz diorite was previously thought to be either Archean or Early Proterozoic (?) in age and is cut by north and northeast-trending Proterozoic diabase dikes of uncertain age, for which we also report paleomagnetic data. New U–Pb analyses of baddeleyite and zircon from the quartz diorite yield a concordia upper intercept age of 2170±8 Ma (95% confidence). An ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar amphibole date from the same sample yields a similar apparent age of about 2124±30 Ma (2σ), thus confirming that the intrusion is Early Proterozoic in age and that it has probably not been thermally disturbed since emplacement. A magmatic event at ca. 2.17 Ga has not previously been documented in the Wyoming craton. The quartz diorite and one of the crosscutting diabase dikes yield essentially identical, well-defined characteristic remanent magnetizations. Results from eight sites in the quartz diorite yield an in situ mean direction of north declination and moderate to steep positive inclination (Dec.=355°, Inc.=65°, k=145, α₉₅=5°) with a paleomagnetic pole at 84°N, 215°E (δm=6°, δp=7°). Data from other diabase dike sites are inconsistent with the quartz diorite results, but the importance of these results is uncertain because the age of the dikes is not well known. Interpretation of the quartz diorite remanent magnetization is problematic. The in situ direction is similar to expected directions for magnetizations of Late Cretaceous/early Tertiary age. However, there is no compelling evidence to suggest that these rocks were remagnetized during the late Mesozoic or Cenozoic. Assuming this magnetization to be primary, then the in situ paleomagnetic pole is strongly discordant with poles of 2167, 2214, and 2217 Ma from the Canadian Shield, and is consistent with proposed separation of the Wyoming Craton and Laurentia prior to about 1.8 Ga. Correcting the quartz diorite pole for the possible effects of Laramide-age tilting of the Wind River Range, based on the attitude of nearby overlying Cambrian Flathead Sandstone (dip=20°, N20°E), gives a tilt corrected pole of 75°N, 58°E (δm=4°, δp=6°), which is also discordant with respect to time-equivalent poles from the Superior Province. Reconstruction of the Superior and Wyoming Province using a rotation similar to that proposed by Roscoe and Card [Can. J. Earth Sci. 46(1993)2475] is problematic, but reconstruction of the Superior and Wyoming Provinces based on restoring them to their correct paleolatitude and orientation using a closest approach fit indicates that the two cratons could have been adjacent at about 2.17 Ga prior to rifting at about 2.15 Ga. The paleomagnetic data presented are consistent with the hypothesis that the Huronian and Snowy Pass Supergroups could have evolved as part of a single epicratonic sedimentary basin during the Early Proterozoic.