Early Cretaceous Paleomagnetic Results from the Kuche Depression, Tarim Block and the Cause of their Inclination Shallowing

Abstract

AbstractThe paleomagnetic results of the Baxigai Formation of early Cretaceous in Kuche depression, Tarim block are reported. Two magnetic components were clearly isolated by the principal component analysis and the Linefind methods. The overprint component is a remagnetization of Himalayan. The characteristic magnetic remanence (ChRM) deviates obviously from the present magnetic direction. After tilt correction, ChRM shows good consistence and passed reversal tests. The Early Cretaceous magnetic mean direction was obtained by summarizing most of published paleomagnetic data in this area. Inclination shallowing is noticed in the early Cretaceous stratum. We excluded some factors such as the quality of paleomagnetic data, sedimentary process as well as long period no dipole field which could result in inclination shallowing. We suggest that compaction is the most important factor leading to inclination shallowing.