Paleomagnetic study of the Late Silurian–Early Devonian Mt Daubeny Formation from the Broken Hill area, New South Wales

Abstract

The geological map of the Broken Hill area in New South Wales shows a striking feature, the Grasmere Knee Zone, which consists of a major change in structural trend. North of the Grasmere Knee Zone, the analysis of the structure of the Late Silurian–Early Devonian Mt Daubeny Basin coupled with AMS measurements suggests that the basin has undergone two phases of folding. Correction of magnetic data from bedding orientation has consisted in unfolding sequentially fold F2 to obtain a simple syncline and unfolding fold F1. Although the fold tests, conglomerate test and dyke test may be considered to be positive concerning the high-temperature component (DAU-CH), paleomagnetic results from the Mt Daubeny Formation (locality DAU) are subject to caution, in particular due to the complex unfolding procedure. If component DAU-CH, carried by hematite, is interpreted to be primary in origin, the corresponding paleopole is consistent with an X-type of apparent polar wander path for Gondwana, in particular if one relies on the proposed optimum bedding correction. South of the Grasmere Knee Zone, the Mt. Daubeny Formation is considered to be rotated clockwise relative to the north. The tentative model presented herein proposes that a block corresponding to the Southwestern Subprovince of Lachlan Orogen indented the Tasmanides between the Central Subprovince of the Lachlan Orogen and the Delamerian Orogen from the mid-Devonian (Tabberabberan event) up to the Early Carboniferous, triggering rotations in the Broken Hill area. A later magmatic event, thought to be Early Cretaceous, may have induced fluid migration and deposition of magnetite leading to the occurrence of an important magnetic overprint (DAU-CM).