Paleomagnetism of alkaline complexes and remagnetization in the Kapuskasing Structural Zone, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

The Shenango and Nemegosenda alkaline complexes of the southern Kapuskasing Structural Zone (KSZ), an uplifted crustal block in northern Ontario, preserve primary thermoremanent magnetizations, with mean directions D=112°, I=−46° (k=13, α95=13°, N=9 sites) and D=304°, I=+51° ( k=31, α95=10°, N=7 sites) for Shenango and D=124°, I=−57° ( k=13, α9520°, N=4 sites) and D=312°, I=+54° (k=17, α95=13°, N=7 sites) for Nemegosenda. Their average paleomagnetic pole is 45°N, 189°E (dp=6°, dm=8°), falling on the Keweenawan track of the North American apparent polar wander path (APWP) between 1098–1107 Ma reverse‐polarity (R) and 1087–1098 Ma normal‐polarity (N) poles of Lake Superior lavas and dikes. Unlike the Keweenawan paleopoles, which have a reversal asymmetry of ≈30°, the Shenango and Nemegosenda R and N poles are almost 180° reversed, which was found also by Lewchuk and Symons (1990b). This symmetry of R and N poles casts doubt on the previously accepted predominance of asymmetric reversals of the Earth's field in Keweenawan time. The Archean Shawmere anorthosite is overprinted by a B magnetization with mean direction D=97°, I=−68° ( k=12, α95= 10°, N=18 sites). The Shawmere B paleopole at 38°N, 226°E (dp=13°, dm=l6°) falls between the carbonatite poles and ≈1850 Ma cratonic poles, and the B magnetization seems to be a composite of middle and late Proterozoic overprints. Sites in the western part of the Shawmere body close to the “carbonatite line” of faults linking the various alkaline complexes are severely altered, with an abundance of secondary magnetite and hematite. Virtual geomagnetic poles for these sites fall close to the Keweenawan track and have an average pole of 189°, 53°N (dp=15°, dm=20°) suggesting that the B NRM at these sites is an ≈1100 Ma thermochemical overprint caused by hydrothermal fluids at the time of carbonatite intrusion. More easterly sites are less altered. Their VGPs resemble ≈1850 Ma cratonic poles and average to 235°E, 30°N (dp=15°, dm=17°) These B natural remanent magnetizations are probably thermochemical remanent magnetizations impressed by middle Proterozoic hydrothermal activity associated with intrusion of early alkaline bodies, fault movement on the Ivanhoe Lake fault zone, or late‐stage uplift of the KSZ.