Nouveau pôle paléomagnétique Stephanien inférieur pour le craton saharien (formation de Merkala, bassin de Tindouf, Algérie): New Lower Stephanian palaeomagnetic pole for the Sabaran craton (Merkala formation, Tindouf basin, Algeria)

Abstract

A palaeomagnetic study carried out in the Lower Stephanian Merkala formation (Tindouf basin) pointed out two juxtaposed neighbouring components of the magnetization. The oldest one allowed a new Stephanian pole located at 32.4°S and 56.6°E ( K= 399, A 9.5 = 2.3°) to be obtained. The other one results from the superimposition of this old component on a Permian remagnetization. The new Stephanian pole, associated with the previous data from the Saharan craton, allows the Stephano-Autunian segment of the African apparent polar wander path to be specified.