Paleomagnetism of mafic dikes from the Avalon Peninsula, eastern Newfoundland

As part of a major study of the Avalon zone in eastern Newfoundland, we describe the palromagnetism of two series of dikes located in the Bauline and Colliers-Harbour Main areas, respectively. Detailed alternating field (AF) and thermal experiments performed on these dikes indicate that they are cha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atlantic Geology
Main Authors: Seguin, M. K., Gahé, E., Khalfi, M. S.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Atlantic Geoscience Society 1982
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Online Access:https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/ag/article/view/1388
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Summary:As part of a major study of the Avalon zone in eastern Newfoundland, we describe the palromagnetism of two series of dikes located in the Bauline and Colliers-Harbour Main areas, respectively. Detailed alternating field (AF) and thermal experiments performed on these dikes indicate that they are characterized by two significantly different mean directions of magnetization: SE++(D = 153°, I = +62*; K = 46, N = 12 sites) and SW (D = 217°, I = +58°, K = 58, N = 12 sites ) with corresponding paleopole positions at A (4°N, 34"U; dp,dm = 8", 10°) and C (2"N, 81°W; dp, dm = 6", 9'). Antipoles A and C are located in southerly latitudes, and a comparison with other poles of Avalonian rocks from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland indicates a Silurian to Siluro-Devonian age for these dikes. Poles A and B are interpreted as representing rapid apparent polar wander with respect to eastern Newfoundland during Silurian time. Two components of magnetization, corresponding to two distinct geological events, are observed in the dikes investigated and this situation favours the following geological scenario for the evolution of the Avalon microcontinent: (a) intracratonic rift zone resulting in long-lived Late Hadrynian and Cambrian continental extension, (b) a very late phase of distension in separating miniplates during Silurian and Early Devonian time. RÉSUMÉ Dans le cadre d'une étude d'envergure de la zone d'Avalon menée dans l'est de Terre-Neuve, nous décrivons le paléomagnétisme de deux séries de dykes situées dans les régions de Bauline et de Colliers - Harbour Main respectivement. Des experiences détaillées de désaimantation par champ alternatif (CA) et par lavage thermique démontrent que deux directions moyennes de l'aimantation caractérisent les dykes: SE++(D = 153°, I = +62*; K = 46, N = 12 sites de prélèvement) et SO (D = 217°, I = +58°, K = 58, N = 12 sites ...