Origin of the Odd-twins anomaly: magnetic effect of a unique stratigraphic marker in the Appalachian foreland basin, Gulf of St. Lawrence

Abstract

The "Odd-twins magnetic anomaly" is a pair of linear asymmetric positive anomalies located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, over the post-Taconian, pre-Acadian foreland basin fill related to the development of the Appalachians. A marine magnetic survey allowed the anomaly to be traced close to the coast of Newfoundland, and an on-land survey identified both peaks within the area of outcrop of the Late Ordovician Long Point Group. Sandstones of high susceptibility sampled from sparse outcrops close to the locations of the anomaly peaks contain up to 0.58% magnetite. Models involving dipping sheets of sandstone having similar and slightly higher susceptibility can explain both the onshore and offshore anomaly. The magnetite is of detrital origin and represents a paleoplacer heavy mineral concentration formed in a marginal marine environment. The anomaly provides a unique tie point between the known onshore stratigraphy and the succession in the foreland basin, known only from industry seismic profiles. This tie point indicates that nearly half of the recorded subsidence of the post-Taconian foreland basin took place in the Late Ordovician, suggesting that a major event within the Appalachian orogen loaded the Laurentian margin at this time. A subsequent hiatus, representing the Early Silurian, may record thermal uplift associated with the Salinian orogeny. Renewed Late Silurian to Devonian loading and sedimentation resulted from the Acadian orogeny.