Remanent Magnetization Directions Research Articles

Paleomagnetic evidence for counterclockwise rotation of the Dofan magmatic segment, Main Ethiopian Rift

Twenty-six paleomagnetic sites in basalt and trachyte flows and ignimbrite deposits sampled in the Dofan magmatic segment, Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). From each site, 6 to 8 core samples were collected. The samples were then cut into 200 standard specimens and their Natural Remanent Magnetization (NRM) directions were measured using a JR6A spinner magnetometer. Most specimens were subjected to stepwise alternating field (AF) and at least one specimen per site to thermal (TH) demagnetization. The directional analysis of these individual specimens revealed either one or two components of NRM. Where two components are present, the first is isolated below a temperature of 300 °C or AF field below 20 mT; the second is isolated above those steps and mostly defined straight lines directed towards the origin and are interpreted as the Characteristic Remanent Magnetization (ChRM) acquired during cooling. Rock magnetic experiments on representative specimens indicate that the dominant magnetic minerals are titanium poor titanomagnetite and in few cases titanohematites. The overall mean directions calculated for the 23 sites of Dofan is Dec = 354.1°, Inc. = +11.6° (N = 23, K = 35.1, α95 = 5.2°). When these values are compared with the 1.5 Ma expected mean geomagnetic dipole reference field directions Dec = 1.0°, Inc. = +16.4° (N = 32, K = 105.6, α95 = 2.3°), obtained from African Apparent Polar Wander Path Curve; a difference in declination ΔD = −6.9° ± 4.7° and inclination ΔI = +4.8° ± 5.5° are determined. The declination difference is interpreted as a very slight counterclockwise rotation about vertical axis of the Dofan magmatic segment and the result is consistent with previous paleomagnetic reports and analogue modeling in Fentale magmatic segment.

Monogenetic origin of Ubehebe Crater maar volcano, Death Valley, California: Paleomagnetic and stratigraphic evidence

Paleomagnetic data for samples collected from outcrops of basaltic spatter at the Ubehebe Crater cluster, Death Valley National Park, California, record a single direction of remanent magnetization indicating that these materials were emplaced during a short duration, monogenetic eruption sequence ~2100years ago. This conclusion is supported by geochemical data encompassing a narrow range of oxide variation, by detailed stratigraphic studies of conformable phreatomagmatic tephra deposits showing no evidence of erosion between layers, by draping of sharp rimmed craters by later tephra falls, and by oxidation of later tephra layers by the remaining heat of earlier spatter.This model is also supported through a reinterpretation and recalculation of the published 10Be age results (Sasnett et al., 2012) from an innovative and bold exposure-age study on very young materials. Their conclusion of multiple and protracted eruptions at Ubehebe Crater cluster is here modified through the understanding that some of their quartz-bearing clasts inherited 10Be from previous exposure on the fan surface (too old), and that other clasts were only exposed at the surface by wind and/or water erosion centuries after their eruption (too young).Ubehebe Crater cluster is a well preserved example of young monogenetic maar type volcanism protected within a National Park, and it represents neither a protracted eruption sequence as previously thought, nor a continuing volcanic hazard near its location.

Magnetic stratigraphic dating of marine hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts

Deep-sea hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts are both potential polymetallic resources and records of long-term environmental changes. For palaeoceanographic studies, it is important to construct a detailed and reliable chronological framework. Here, we report the results of a detailed magnetostratigraphic and rock magnetic study of four hydrogenetic Fe-Mn crusts from the Pacific Ocean (PO-01), South China Sea (SCS-01, SCS-02) and Indian Ocean (IO-01). Two groups of characteristic remanent magnetization directions were defined with nearly antipodal normal and reversed polarities for samples PO-01, SCS-01 and SCS-02, indicating a primary record of the Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetostratigraphic framework, established via correlation with the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale 2012, implies growth rates of 4.82 mm/Ma, 4.95 mm/Ma, 4.48 mm/Ma and 11.28 mm/Ma for samples PO-01, SCS-01, SCS-02 and IO-01, respectively. Rock magnetic measurements revealed that the Fe-Mn crust samples from the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean were dominated by low coercivity, non-interacting, single-domain (SD) magnetite particles, whereas the South China Sea samples were dominated by SD/pseudo-single-domain (PSD) particles. Multidomain (MD) magnetite may also be present in all samples.

New Early Cretaceous palaeomagnetic and geochronological results from the far western Lhasa terrane: Contributions to the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision

To better constrain the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision, a combined palaeomagnetic and geochronological study of the far western Lhasa terrane was conducted on the Duoai Formation lava flows (~113–116 Ma), as well as on the Early Cretaceous Jiega Formation limestone. Following detailed rock magnetic, petrographical, and palaeomagnetic experiments, characteristic remanent magnetisation directions were successfully isolated from most samples using principal component analysis. The tilt-corrected direction groups yielded a palaeopole at 69.1°N, 319.8°E with A95 = 4.8° (N = 19). A primary origin for the magnetisation is consistent with positive fold tests. Our results from the Early Cretaceous units, combined with published palaeomagnetic data obtained from Cretaceous strata from the Lhasa and western Qiangtang terranes, show that these two terranes had already collided by the Early Cretaceous, the Lhasa terrane had a relatively east-west alignment, and it remained at a relatively stable palaeolatitude during the entire Cretaceous. Comparing the Cretaceous palaeolatitude calculated for the western Lhasa terrane with those from Eurasia and Mongolia suggests a latitudinal convergence of ~1400 ± 290 km and ~1800 ± 300 km, respectively, since the Early Cretaceous.

Paleomagnetic and Geochronologic Results of Latest Cretaceous Lava Flows From the Lhasa Terrane and Their Tectonic Implications

AbstractTo position the Asian southern margin before the India‐Asia collision, paleomagnetic and geochronologic studies were performed on the Dianzhong Formation lava flows from the Shiquanhe area of the westernmost Lhasa terrane (LT). Zircon U‐Pb analyses dated the lava flows to ~69.5 ± 2.5 Ma. The characteristic remanent magnetization directions contain antipodal polarities and pass fold tests, implying that they are primary magnetizations; this interpretation is supported by rock‐magnetic analyses and petrographic observations. Forty‐four site‐mean directions were divided into 17 statistically independent direction groups. The group‐mean direction after tilt correction is Ds = 43.3°, Is = 30.3°, k = 28.0, α95 = 6.9°. The corresponding paleopole at 47.8°N, 181.4°E (A95 = 6.4°) yields a paleolatitude of 16.6° ± 6.4°N for the Shiquanhe area of westernmost Tibet (32.34°N, 80.12°E). Consistent paleolatitudes for the southern margin of the LT calculated from the western and central part of the LT indicate that the leading edge of the LT was aligned relatively W‐E. When compared with the reference pole at 70 Ma for Eurasia, this new paleopole suggests that crustal shortening between the Shiquanhe area and stable Asia was 1,500 ± 800 km. This is supported by the crustal shortening (600–1,000 km) absorbed by Cenozoic thrust and fold belts within this area, indicating that the magnitude of crustal shortening within Asia north of the India‐Asia suture zone was similar in the central and western part of the plateau.

Regional remagnetization of Irish Carboniferous carbonates dates Variscan orogenesis, not Zn-Pb mineralization

Research Article| August 01, 2017 Regional remagnetization of Irish Carboniferous carbonates dates Variscan orogenesis, not Zn-Pb mineralization Jamie J. Wilkinson; Jamie J. Wilkinson 1LODE (London Centre for Ore Deposits and Exploration), Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK2Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Katie Vowles; Katie Vowles 2Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Adrian R. Muxworthy; Adrian R. Muxworthy 2Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Conall Mac Niocaill Conall Mac Niocaill 3Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jamie J. Wilkinson 1LODE (London Centre for Ore Deposits and Exploration), Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK2Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK Katie Vowles 2Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK Adrian R. Muxworthy 2Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK Conall Mac Niocaill 3Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 06 Feb 2017 Revision Received: 23 Apr 2017 Accepted: 25 Apr 2017 First Online: 23 Jun 2017 Online Issn: 1943-2682 Print Issn: 0091-7613 © 2017 Geological Society of America Geology (2017) 45 (8): 747–750. https://doi.org/10.1130/G39032.1 Article history Received: 06 Feb 2017 Revision Received: 23 Apr 2017 Accepted: 25 Apr 2017 First Online: 23 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jamie J. Wilkinson, Katie Vowles, Adrian R. Muxworthy, Conall Mac Niocaill; Regional remagnetization of Irish Carboniferous carbonates dates Variscan orogenesis, not Zn-Pb mineralization. Geology 2017;; 45 (8): 747–750. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G39032.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Paleomagnetic methods have been used in economic geology to date mineralization in sediment-hosted ore deposits and thereby help to develop ore deposit models and understand the geodynamic settings in which mineralization can occur. However, paleomagnetic ages are sometimes inconsistent with other geochronological techniques and with geological observations. Here we test the veracity of paleomagnetic ages for sediment-hosted ores through a study of the Irish Midlands ore field. We find that unaltered rocks distal to mineralization that are of equivalent age to the ore host sequence have comparable characteristic remanent magnetic directions to those previously derived from the ores. This indicates that remagnetization of the rocks was probably independent of the ore-forming process. Comparison with the apparent polar wander path for Europe suggests an age of ca. 310 Ma for this event, consistent with the timing of the Variscan orogeny. Fold test results support this, indicating the signal was acquired after tilting and/or folding of the host rocks. Petrology and magnetic data suggest that nanometric magnetite particles are the remanence carrier. Based on independent geochronological and geological constraints, we conclude that mineralization formed in Ireland in the early Carboniferous coincident with basin development and that paleomagnetic dates were reset during the later orogenic overprint. Caution is therefore warranted in the interpretation of paleomagnetic dates for ore systems, and geodynamic models for mineral systems based on these may be erroneous. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Preliminary Magnetostratigraphic and Isotopic Dating of the Ngwa Formation (Dschang Western Cameroon)

A magnetostratigraphic study has been carried out to constrain the age of the volcano-sedimentary Ngwa formation in the eastern part of the Dschang region. A stratigraphic section of about 80 meters thick corresponding to 26 sites has been sampled, and it is composed mainly of fine-grained sandstones, clays, lignite, volcanic sediment and tuffs. A magnetic study conducted on 56 samples shows one or two components of magnetization carried either by titanomagnetite, magnetite and Fe-sulphide. The section that was sampled shows one normal polarity and one reversed polarity. In the lower part of the section, a K-Ar radiometric dating was performed on the plagioclase minerals isolated from the tuffs level situated about 15 meters above the lignite seam, and gave an age of 20.1 ± 0.7 Ma. Constrained by this age, the observed polarity zones can be readily correlated with chrons C6An.1n-C6An.1r of the GPTS. This study suggests that the age of the lignite is comprised between 20.04 Ma and 20.21 Ma. The mean direction of the characteristic remanent magnetization documents a counterclockwise vertical axis rotation of about 8° with respect to the expected Lower Miocene direction derived from the Africa polar wander curve.

Detailed archaeomagnetic study of a ceramic workshop at Kato Achaia: New directional data and archaeomagnetic dating in Greece.

New archaeomagnetic results from two ancient kilns excavated at Kato Achaia, southern Greece, are presented. According to archaeological evidence, both kilns were part of a bigger ceramic workshop, probably used for the production of bricks or ceramics. Systematic archaeomagnetic sampling was carried out collecting 9 brick samples from the first kiln (KL3) and 12 brick samples from the second kiln (KL5). Magnetic mineralogy measurements have been carried out in order to determine the main magnetic carrier of the samples and to check their thermal stability. Standard thermal demagnetization procedures have been used to determine the archaeomagnetic direction registered by the bricks during their last firing. The direction of the Characteristic Remanent Magnetization (ChRM) has been obtained from principal component analysis and the kilns mean directions were calculated using Fisher statistics. The archaeomagnetic ages of both kilns were determined using the most recent developments in data elaboration and were calculated after comparison of the kilns declination and inclination with the reference curves produced by the SCHA.DIF.3K European regional geomagnetic field model. Dating results are in good agreement with archaeological evidence of the site and suggest that both kilns were in use during Hellenistic times.

Palaeomagnetic results and new dates of sedimentary deposits from Klasies River Cave 1, South Africa


 
 
 Palaeomagnetic data from Klasies River main site Cave 1 (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) are reported. Natural remanent magnetisation directions obtained from 77 oriented samples were determined by progressive alternating field demagnetisation methodology. Three palaeomagnetic samplings from the Witness Baulk from the Middle Stone Age (MSA) Late Pleistocene White Sand member and the Holocene Later Stone Age (LSA) middens in Cave 1 were dated and analysed to obtain the palaeomagnetic directions recorded in the sediments. Here we provide new optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates for the White Sand Member, and new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates for the LSA midden of areas not previously dated. The palaeomagnetic analysis took into account rock magnetism and directional analysis. The former reveals that the main magnetic carrier was magnetite; the latter shows that characteristic remanent magnetisation of normal and anomalous directions was observed in the lower portion of the White Sand Member and LSA midden. Normal directions correspond to the palaeosecular variation record for South Africa during the Late Pleistocene. On the other hand, the anomalous directions recorded in the LSA midden might represent the likely Sterno-Etrussia geomagnetic field excursion which occurred during the Late Holocene and is observed in other places on the planet. Finally, the directional data obtained are a potential tool for discussing the age of deposits corresponding to those periods.
 
 
 
 
 Significance: 
 
 
 
 New dates confirm and extend previous age determinations for the LSA and White Sand Member from Klasies River
 
 
 

Mesoproterozoic geomagnetic reversal asymmetry in light of new paleomagnetic and geochronological data for the Häme dyke swarm, Finland: Implications for the Nuna supercontinent

Baltica represents one of the key continents of the Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Nuna forming the core of it together with Laurentia and Siberia. This study presents new geochronological and paleomagnetic data obtained for the Häme diabase dyke swarm in southern Finland. New U-Pb (baddeleyite) ages 1642±2Ma and 1647±14Ma for two reversely magnetized dykes are acquired. Demagnetization revealed a dual polarity remanent magnetization direction carried by magnetite. The combined normal (N) and reversed (R) polarity direction for 11 dykes (=sites) is D=355.6°, I=−09.1° (k=8.6 and α95=16.6°) yielding a paleomagnetic pole at 23.6°N, 209.8°E (K=10.6 and A95=14.7°) with Van der Voo value Q=7. N and R magnetized units for the Häme dyke swarm show asymmetry in declination values, probably caused by an age difference between the dykes. The Geocentric Axial Dipole (GAD) model indicates that all geomagnetic reversals should be symmetric (in inclination), yet it has been noted that this is not always the case (e.g. 1.57Ga Satakunta and Åland dykes in Baltica). By analyzing global dual polarity paleomagnetic data we show that the stationary GAD model is a valid assumption at 1.7–1.4Ga and that the asymmetry between some normal and reversed polarities in global dual-polarity data sets appears randomly over time, and does not follow a global trend. Furthermore, we show that in the case of Åland and Satakunta dykes an unremoved secondary magnetization component could explain the obtained asymmetry. The GAD assumption is used to reconstruct the core of Nuna on equatorial latitudes using new data for Häme dykes. Paleomagnetic evidence suggest that maximum assembly of Nuna occurred at 1.5Ga and the dispersal of the core is proposed to be associated with coeval 1.38–1.27Ga magmatism in its core continents.

Paleogeography of the Congo/São Francisco craton at 1.5 Ga: Expanding the core of Nuna supercontinent

The Congo/São Francisco (C/SF) craton, one of the largest cratons in Proterozoic paleogeography, has been lacking reliable paleomagnetic data for the supercontinent Nuna interval (ca. 1600–1300Ma). Here we provide a new paleomagnetic key pole for this craton from recently dated mafic dykes in the Curaçá (1506.7±6.9Ma) region of Brazil. The characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) direction D=070.6°, I=54.0° (k=22.1 and a95=13.1°) corresponds with a paleomagnetic pole at 10.1°N, 009.6°E (K=15.6, A95=15.8°), which places C/SF craton in moderate paleolatitudes at the time of remanence acquisition. Primary nature of the paleomagnetic remanence is supported by a baked-contact test. A similar ChRM direction was obtained for four Mesoproterozoic mafic intrusions in Chapada Diamantina region. The new pole, only from Curaçá, for C/SF allows us to reconstruct the extended core of the supercontinent Nuna at 1.5Ga. Based on coeval 1.5Ga and 1.38Ga magmatism in Baltica, Siberia and C/SF, we favor the position where Southwest Congo is reconstructed against present South-Southeast (S-SE) Baltica. We explore two alternative 1.5Ga reconstructions of Nuna’s core. In both of them Baltica and Laurentia are shown in the well-defined NENA (Northern Europe North America) fit, together with Siberia in a tight fit to northern Laurentia. In reconstruction option A, more traditional fit of Amazonia with Baltica is shown, modified from the geologically based SAMBA (South AMerica BAltica) model to accommodate paleomagnetic data. In this option, however, West Africa must be extricated from SAMBA because C/SF has taken its place. For reconstruction option B, Amazonia is shifted to lie adjacent to NE Laurentia and West Baltica. In both options SW Congo is reconstructed against S-SE Baltica, but in option B there is a tighter fit between them, and there is a better match with our new paleomagnetic data for C/SF. In either option, separation of C/SF from Baltica and Siberia probably occurred at 1.38Ga, the age of pronounced mafic magmatism throughout this sector of Nuna.

Preliminary magnetostratigraphic results from the late Miocene Maragheh Formation, NW Iran

Maragheh in northwestern of Iran is a world famous Miocene fossil-bearing area. The area has yielded classical late Miocene Turolian age fauna that has been collected and studied sporadically over the last 150 years. However, the precise correlation of these sediments to the Global Time Scale (GTS) has remained ambiguous. To address this, 115 levels along an approximately 27-m-thick interval were collected from the middle Maragheh Formation at Dareh Gorg (Gort Daresi) section. Characteristic remanent magnetization directions obtained by alternating field demagnetization produce a polarity pattern that is supported by thermal demagnetization on a set of sister specimens. Three polarity intervals were recognised, the middle part of the section at around 15–21 m showing reversed polarity, bounded by normal polarities above and below. Based on the palaeontological constraints and recent K-Ar age determinations from the Maragheh Fm, three correlations to the geomagnetic polarity time scale appear likely. According to these correlations, recently discovered hominoid locality is correlated to C3Br.1n, C4n.1n, or to C4n.2n. For a unique correlation, however, additional palaeomagnetic data is required from the upper and lower parts of the section.

Magnetostratigraphy of the middle-upper Jurassic sedimentary sequences at Yanshiping, Qiangtang Basin, China

A series of important geological events occurred in the Tibetan Plateau area during the Jurassic, such as the collision of the Lhasa and Qiangtang Terranes, the closure of the Meso-Tethyan Ocean, the opening of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean and the cessation of the mega-monsoon. The similar to 3000 m thick Jurassic sedimentary sequence in the Qiangtang Basin on the central Tibetan Plateau, which is called the Yanshiping (YSP) Group, recorded these geological events. However, the chronology of the sequence is surprisingly poorly constrained. Here, we perform a detailed palaeomagnetic analysis on the similar to 1060 m thick middle and upper portions of the YSP Group (the Xiali and Suowa Formations) in the YSP section of the eastern Qiangtang Basin. Three bivalve zones at stratigraphic intervals of similar to 40-140, 640-800 and 940-1040 m are identified, which yield a Bathonian-Callovian age for the Lower Xiali Fm., a Callovian-Oxfordian age for the Lower Suowa Fm. and an Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian age for the Upper Suowa Fm. A total of 544 oriented palaeomagnetic samples were collected from the section. By combining thermal and alternating field demagnetizations, clear characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) directions are isolated for most of the samples. The robust ChRM directions pass fold and reversals tests, which support the primary nature of the ChRMs and yield a palaeopole at 76.8A degrees N/297.2A degrees E (dp = 2.2A degrees, dm = 3.7A degrees). A total of 27 normal and 26 reversed polarity zones were successfully recorded in the section. Combined with fossil age constraints, results suggest that the section is plausibly composed of a Callovian-Early Kimmeridgian age sedimentary sequence.

The Earth's magnetic field in Italy during the Neolithic period: New data from the Early Neolithic site of Portonovo (Marche, Italy)

We present new, full geomagnetic field vector results from three Neolithic ovens discovered at the archaeological site of Portonovo (Marche, Italy). The discovered structures are a rare example of very well preserved underground ovens from the Early Neolithic period. Standard thermal demagnetization procedures were used to isolate the direction of the Characteristic Remanent Magnetization acquired by the baked clay during the ovens' last firing. The corresponding archaeointensities were determined by the multi-specimen procedure (MSP-DSC) and show a clear intensity low during the Neolithic period. Both directional and intensity results are of high quality, offering the first contribution of full geomagnetic field vector data for this period in Italy. The new data are compared with other contemporaneous data from Europe and with global geomagnetic field models. Independent archaeomagnetic dating of the three ovens was also performed by means of the SCHA.DIF.14k model. The obtained results are in excellent agreement with available radiocarbon dates and confirm that all ovens belong to the Neolithic. These new data importantly enrich our knowledge of the geomagnetic field during the Neolithic period that is poorly documented by data, not only in Italy but also in the whole of Europe and show that archaeomagnetic dating can provide precise results even for prehistoric periods.

Early Cretaceous paleomagnetic and geochronologic results from the Tethyan Himalaya: Insights into the Neotethyan paleogeography and the India-Asia collision.

To better understand the Neotethyan paleogeography, a paleomagnetic and geochronological study has been performed on the Early Cretaceous Sangxiu Formation lava flows, which were dated from ~135.1 Ma to ~124.4 Ma, in the Tethyan Himalaya. The tilt-corrected site-mean characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) direction for 26 sites is Ds = 296.1°, Is = −65.7°, ks = 51.7, α95 = 4.0°, corresponding to a paleopole at 5.9°S, 308.0°E with A95 = 6.1°. Positive fold and reversal tests prove that the ChRM directions are prefolding primary magnetizations. These results, together with reliable Cretaceous-Paleocene paleomagnetic data observed from the Tethyan Himalaya and the Lhasa terrane, as well as the paleolatitude evolution indicated by the apparent polar wander paths (APWPs) of India, reveal that the Tethyan Himalaya was a part of Greater India during the Early Cretaceous (135.1–124.4 Ma) when the Neotethyan Ocean was up to ~6900 km, it rifted from India sometime after ~130 Ma, and that the India-Asia collision should be a dual-collision process including the first Tethyan Himalaya-Lhasa terrane collision at ~54.9 Ma and the final India-Tethyan Himalaya collision at ~36.7 Ma.

Magnetostratigraphy of the Middle Jurassic Sediments from Kachchh Basin, Western India

The palaeoposition of India after its breakup from Gondwana and its subsequent northward journey during the Mesozoic poses many tectonic riddles. A magnetostratigraphy pattern has been constructed for the Ammonoid rich Middle Jurassic Bathonian succession of Jumara Dome, Kachchh, western India. We present the first magnetostratigraphic results from the Ammonoid bearing exposed Bathonian sediments in Kachchh. The Jumara Dome comprised of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession is represented by the Jhurio and Patcham formations and siliciclastic-dominating Chari Formation in the Kachchh Mainland. The Jumara Dome sediments were deposited during sea-level fluctuating, and were interrupted by storms in the shallow marine environment. This study is based on collection of 60 oriented samples from 13 successive levels. Both thermal and AF demagnetization investigations were carried out to isolate the Characteristic Remanent Magnetization (ChRM) directions. Palaeolatitudes were computed using the ChRM directions. Magnetostratigraphic column is prepared and correlated with Geological Time Scale (GTS) of [1] [2], and this column readily matched with GTS at M41 to below and exhibits the dominance of normal polarity in Jumara.

Magnetostratigraphic constraints on the age of the lower Beaufort Group, western Karoo basin, South Africa, and a critical analysis of existing U‐Pb geochronological data

AbstractWe studied three partially overlapping sections with a composite thickness of ∼600 m in the upper Permian fluvial siltstones and fine‐grained sandstones of the Abrahamskraal Formation, the basal unit of the Beaufort Group, in the Karoo Basin of Western Cape Province, South Africa. Paleomagnetic analysis reveals three components of Natural Remanent Magnetization (NRM). Heating to ∼180°C removes a remanent magnetization parallel to the present‐day field, which is interpreted as a viscous overprint. An intermediate unblocking temperature component is removed by heating to 450°C; this direction is always of normal polarity and is identical to a regional overprint imparted during the Early Jurassic emplacement of the Karoo Large Igneous Province. A high‐temperature component isolated above 450°C is of dual polarity and is interpreted as primary on the basis of a positive reversals test. The virtual geomagnetic pole position for the Abrahamskraal Formation computed from the average high‐temperature characteristic remanent magnetization direction is in agreement with the late Permian directions for stable Gondwana and with previous results from the lowermost Abrahamskraal Formation and Waterford Formation at the Ouberg Pass section. The predominantly normal polarity of this magnetization is in agreement with either a middle‐late Lopingian age (ca. 254–256 Ma) or a late Guadalupian age (ca. 262 Ma) according to the global geomagnetic polarity time scale. We integrate these new results with existing magnetostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, and geochronological results from the Karoo Basin, with particular emphasis on the controversy over zircon age data reported from the underlying Ecca Group.

Magnetic polarity stratigraphy of the Siwalik sequence in Nurpur area, NW Himalaya, India

Magnetic polarity stratigraphy studies were carried out on Jabbar Khad section of Nurpur area, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Oriented block samples were collected at 202 sites with 3–5 samples per site from a 2350-m thick continuous sedimentary sequence consisting of sandstone–mudstone alternating beds. Specimens were subjected to thermal demagnetization (100–700∘C) after measuring their natural remanent magnetization (NRM). Palaeolatitudes of virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) from each site were calculated from the acquired characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) directions. The observed remanence carrier could be haematite. Magnetic polarity scale (MPS) was erected. This MPS is correlated with the standard geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) of Lourens et al. (2004). The MPS readily matched from chron C2An.1n to chron C4n.2n, therefore assigning an age 8.20–2.60 Ma to the middle and upper Siwalik sections at Nurpur. The rate of sedimentation in middle Siwalik is 29 mm/yr and upper Siwalik is 59 mm/yr.

Paleomagnetic results from the Early Cretaceous Lakang Formation lavas: Constraints on the paleolatitude of the Tethyan Himalaya and the India–Asia collision

To better constrain the Early Cretaceous paleogeographic position of the Tethyan Himalaya and the India–Asia collision process, a paleomagnetic study was performed on the Lakang Formation lava flows in the Cuona area in the southeastern Tethyan Himalaya. Stepwise thermal and alternating field demagnetizations successfully isolated reliable characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) directions that include antipodal dual polarities and pass positive fold tests at the 99% confidence level and reversal tests at 95% confidence level, indicating prefolding primary magnetizations. The distribution patterns of ChRM directions from the Lakang Formation lava flows are consistent with young lava flows at similar latitudes, suggesting that secular variation has likely been averaged out. The tilt-corrected site-mean direction for 31 sites is D=261.6°, I=−68.5° with α95=3.6°, which provides a paleopole at 26.8°S, 315.2°E (A95=5.7°), corresponding to a paleolatitude of 52.2°±5.7°S for the study area. Comparison of the paleolatitude observed from the Lakang Formation lava flows with that expected from the apparent polar wander paths of India at 130 Ma show a paleolatitude difference of ∼2.1° (∼230 km), indicating that neither a great north-south continental crustal shortening occurred between the Indian craton and the Tethyan Himalaya after 130 Ma, nor that a wide ocean separated them at that time. Comparison with reliable Cretaceous–Paleocene paleomagnetic results observed from the Tethyan Himalaya and the Lhasa terrane indicates that the latitudinal width of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean could have been up to ∼7000 km at 134–130 Ma and an extension should have existed between the Indian craton and the Tethyan Himalaya during the Late Cretaceous and Paleocene. Furthermore, reliable paleomagnetic results suggest that the India–Asia collision was a dual-collision process, consisting of a first collision of the Tethyan Himalaya with the Lhasa terrane (Asia) at 54.9±2.3 Ma and a final continent–continent collision of the Indian craton with the Tethyan Himalaya at 40.0±3.3 Ma.

Timing of clockwise rotation of Southwest Japan: constraints from new middle Miocene paleomagnetic results

Southwest Japan rotated clockwise during the late stage of the opening of the Japan Sea, although the exact timing of the rotation is controversial. A recent biostratigraphic study has revealed that the Miocene Oidawara Formation in eastern Southwest Japan was deposited just before 15 Ma; consequently, its paleomagnetic direction may help constrain the timing of rotation. For this purpose, we collected fine felsic tuffs and siltstones at 71 stratigraphic sites (horizons) in the Oidawara Formation. An analysis of alternating field and thermal demagnetization results yielded characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) directions for 177 samples. Approximately 80 % (142) of the samples exhibit reverse polarity ChRM directions that are thought to be paleofield directions of reverse polarity Chron C5Br. Normal polarity ChRM directions in 35 samples include primary paleofield records as well as records of secondary magnetization. The data suggest that a short normal polarity interval (microchron or cryptochron) at ~15.8 Ma is present within the dominantly reverse polarity interval of Chron C5Br. Reliable site-mean directions for 19 sites yield a tilt-corrected formation-mean direction of D = 10.5°, I = 41.1°, α 95 = 7.0°, and k = 23.9, indicating virtually no rotation with respect to a reference paleomagnetic direction for the Asian continent. A rotation versus age plot for Southwest Japan indicates that the clockwise rotation started after 17.5 Ma and ceased largely before 15.8 Ma, yielding a rotation rate of ~23°/Myr.