Paleomagnetism and Magnetostratigraphy of the Middle Ordovician Everton Formation, Northern Arkansas

Abstract

Paleomagnetic study of the Everton Formation (Chazyan) indicates the presence of both early and late Paleozoic components resident in magnetite. The Fisher mean direction of this apparent primary component is D = 97.9{degree}, I = 1.8{degree} (k = 22, A{sub 95} = 11.2{degree}). Based on a number of factors, the authors believe this early Paleozoic component represents a primary remanence in detrital magnetic. The calculated paleopole for this component (6.1{degree}N, 171.5{degree}E) falls near the Lower Ordovician pole from the Oneata Formation but away from other Middle Ordovician paleopoles. This pole constrains the apparent polar wander path for North America during a period of rapid apparent polar wander. Approximately 70% of the characteristic directions of the early Paleozoic component have reversed polarity; 30% have normal polarity. There is a magnetic reversal from normal to reversed at the contact with the underlying Lower Ordovician Powell Formation. At least six magnetic reversals in the Everton Formation can be correlated between four sampled sections within the area. These correlations are consistent with member boundaries within the Everton. The lateral consistency of the reversals permits time correlation through the Everton section as well as construction of a preliminary magnetostratigraphy for a portion of the Middlemore » Ordovician.« less