Paleomagnetism of early Triassic Daye Formation and its tectonic implications

Abstract

The new paleomagnetic data of the early Triassic Daye Formation from Hubei Province are reported. The ChRM passes consistency test and reversal test. Two magnetic components were isolated with principal component analysis (PCA). Component B is a ChRM and component A was acquired by remagnetization during Indosinian cycle. Rock magnetic study shows that the carrier is dominantly detrital magnetite. According to the data, in conjunction with recently published Triassic paleomagnetic results, mean paleopole of the Triassic Yangtze Block is calculated as 30.3°N, 198.4°E, α95 = 9.2°. Distribution of all Triassic declinations indicates obviously local rotation in the mid-Yangtze areas, which results in consistence of the declinations with fold axes. By comparison with Triassic paleomagnetic data in the South China Block and some of geological evidence, it is inferred that the timing of the suture between the Yangtze Block and the South China Block is earlier in western part than in eastern part in the Indosinian period.