Magnetization properties of intrusive/extrusive rocks from East Maio (Republic of Cape Verde) and their geological implications

Abstract

Summary. The remanent magnetization of intrusive/extrusive rocks of the ‘basement’ complex of East Maio constitutes four components that define two different axes of magnetization, at around dec. 328, inc. 12 and dec. 007, inc. 14 respectively. In general, two or more components co-exist in separate specimens or sites but both axes are present most frequently in the normal sense. The NNW-striking axis, the B-axis, fits very well with the Upper Cretaceous polar wander path for Africa. It is consequently inferred that the major phase of sheet intrusions in Maio dates from this time, probably from the interval 90–70 Myr bp. Comparisons of the directional dispersions in the folded and unfolded states suggest that this injection phase post-dates the uplift of the Central Igneous Complex of the island. The second axis of magnetization, the A-axis, agrees very well with late Teritary—Quaternary palaeomagnetic data for Africa and the Canary Islands. The A-axis is therefore regarded as of secondary origin, being the consequence of a thermal/ chemical overprint during the Miocene—Pliocene volcanism on the island. The occurrence of a 50–70 Myr long period of volcanic quiescence and erosion, between the termination of the early igneous activity (Upper Cretaceous) and the rejuvenated magmatism in Miocene/Pliocene time, is compatible with similar observations in the Canary Islands. In contrast to the palaeomagnetic conclusions, the K/Ar data only give ages around 10 Myr. The unusually young isotope dates are regarded as being due to an almost complete age resetting and are seen in conjuction with the overprinted magnetization. This explanation is further supported by the fact that K/Ar results of pillow lavas underlying Upper Jurassic limestones only give Tertiary ages.