Paleomagnetism of igneous rocks from the Belcher Islands, Northwest Territories, Canada

Abstract

Paleomagnetic results from igneous rock units on the Belcher Islands, Hudson Bay, are described. Fold tests for all units studied, as well as a contact test for the intrusive bodies, indicate that both primary (initial), and secondary (post-folding) magnetizations are present.The paleomagnetic pole position from primary directions of the oldest unit studied, the Eskimo volcanics, is situated at 40°S, 002°E (A95 = 12°) and is similar to that derived from equivalent volcanics on the mainland. The younger volcanic unit studied, the Flaherty volcanics, yielded a pole position from primary directions at 0°, 244°E (A95 = 7°). The Haig intrusions, associated with these younger volcanics, yields an almost identical pole position at 1°N, 247°E (A95 = 6°), being derived from directions which are shown to be not only pre–folding but also date from initial cooling. The Eskimo volcanics, which have been more deeply buried than the Flaherty (upper) volcanics, carry substantial components of secondary (post-folding) magnetization which yield a pole position at 19°N, 243°E (A95 = 15°), about 20° north of the pole positions derived from the youngest units.It is argued that the apparent polar wander path (APWP) constructed for the Belcher Islands is representative of the mainland Ungava Craton. Comparison with the equivalent APWP from elsewhere in North America shows that the two APWP's are at variance. Although a two-plate model could be advanced, perhaps a more conservative interpretation is to extend the existing North American APWP eastward to include the Belcher–Ungava APWP, that is, to favour a one-plate model.