New paleomagnetic data from Oligocene formations of northern Aegea

Abstract

New paleomagnetic data obtained from volcanic and plutonic formations in Thrace (Northern Aegea) show that this region has not undergone any significant rotation since the Lower Oligocene. The mean value of the inclination is shallower than expected on the basis of a geocentered dipole field implying a large northward drift of about 1000 km. Although a comparison with published data from Bulgaria leads to a puzzling large shortening between these two regions, the measured shallow inclinations are coherent with most of other paleomagnetic studies from Oligocene formations throughout the entire Mediterranean area. Together with published results from Chalkidiki Peninsula, our data suggest that the ‘Circum Rhodopean Belt’ was almost rectilinear and trending E‐W in Lower Oligocene time.