Paleomagnetism of Eocene igneous intrusions in the Valley and Ridge Province, Virginia and West Virginia

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Ressetar, Robert, Martin, David L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1980
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Geomagnetic Pole
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e80-165; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e80-165

Paleomagnetic measurements from 11 small dikes and plugs in the Valley and Ridge Province of Virginia and West Virginia yield a mean magnetic direction of D = 176.3°, I = −60.9 °after AF cleaning. The geomagnetic pole position calculated from this direction lies at 85.5°N, 243.7°E. The proximity of this pole to others from North American rocks of Eocene age is consistent with radiometric age determinations. This provides further evidence that North America has undergone little apparent polar wander since early Tertiary time, and that the Appalachian Eocene activity covered a wider area than previously realized.