Dominant Lid Tectonics behaviour of continental lithosphere in Precambrian times:Palaeomagnetism confirms prolonged quasi-integrity and absence of supercontinent cycles

Although Plate Tectonics cannot be effectively tested by palaeomagnetism in the Precambrian aeon due to the paucity of high precision poles spanning such a long time period,the possibility of Lid Tectonics is eminently testable because it seeks accordance of the wider dataset over prolonged intervals of time;deficiencies and complexities in the data merely contribute to dispersion.Accordance of palaeomagnetic poles across a quasi-integral continental crust for time periods of up to thousands of millions of years,together with recognition of very long intervals characterised by minimal polar motions(～2.6-2.0,～1.5-1.25 and～0.75-0.6 Ga)has been used to demonstrate that Lid Tectonics dominated this aeon.The new PALEOMAGIA database is used to refine a model for the Precambrian lid incorporating a large quasiintegral crescentric core running from South-Central Africa through Laurentia to Siberia with peripheral cratons subject to reorganisation at～2.1,～1.6 and～1.1 Ga.The model explains low levels of tidal friction,reduced heat balance,unique petrologic and isotopic signatures,and the prolonged crustal stability of Earth's"Middle Age",whilst density concentrations of the palaeomagnetic poles show that the centre of the continental lid was persistently focussed near Earth's rotation axis from～2.8 to 0.6 Ga.The exception was the～2.7-2.2 Ga interval defined by～90°polar movements which translated the periphery of the lid to the rotation pole for this quasi-static period,a time characterised by glaciation and low levels of magmatic activity;the～2.7 Ga shift correlates with key interval of mid-Archaean crustal growth to some 60-70%of the present volume and REE signatures whilst the～2.2 Ga shift correlates with the Lomagundiδ～(13)C and Great Oxygenation events.The palaeomagnetic signature of breakup of the lid at～0.6 Ga is recorded by the world-wide Ediacaran development of passive margins and associated environmental signatures of new ocean basins.This event defined the end of a dominant Lid Tectonic phase in the history of Earth's continental lithosphere recorded by the quasi-integral Precambrian supercontinent Palaeopangaea and the beginning of the comprehensive Plate Tectonics which has characterised the Phanerozoic aeon.Peripheral modifications to the lid achieved a symmetrical and hemispheric shape in Neoproterozoic times comparable to the familiar short-lived supercontinent(Neo)Pangaea(～350-150 Ma)and this appears to be the sole supercontinent cycle recorded by the palaeomagnetic record.Prolonged integrity of a large continental nucleus accompanied by periodic readjustments of peripheral shields can reconcile divergent tectonic analyses of Precambrian times which on the one hand propose multiple Wilson Cycles to explain some signatures of Plate Tectonics,and alternative interpretations which consider that Plate Tectonics did not commence until the end of the Neoproterozoic.

Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Palaeomagnetism of Mafic Dykes from Kumaun Lesser Himalaya: Implication on Petrogenesis, Tectonic Setting and Timing of Mafic Magmatism in Northern Part of Indian Lithosphere

Occurrence of mafic dykes in Himalaya has been intriguing and debated since long because of its difficulty to ascent and emplacement through a thickened crust.Mafic dykes in Kumaun Lesser Himalaya(KLH)of central Indian

Continental velocity through Precambrian times:The link to magmatism,crustal accretion and episodes of global cooling

Quasi-integrity of continental crust between Mid-Archaean and Ediacaran times is demonstrated by conformity of palaeomagnetic poles to near-static positions between -2.7-2.2 Ga, -1.5-1.2 Ga and -0.75-0.6 Ga. Intervening data accord to coherent APW loops turning at ＂hairpins＂ focused near a continental-centric location. Although peripheral adjustments occurred during Early Proterozoic （-2.2 Ga） and Grenville （- 1.1 Ga） times, the crust retained a low order symmetrical crescent-shaped form constrained to a single global hemisphere until break-up in Ediacaran times. Conformity of palaeomagnetic data to specific Eulerian parameters enables definition of a master Precambrian APW path used to estimate the root mean square velocity （VRMS） of continental crust between 2.8 and 0.6 Ga. A long interval of little polar movement between -2.7 and 2.2 Ga correlates with global magmatic shutdown between -2.45 and 2.2 Ga, whilst this interval and later slowdown at -0.75-0.6 Ga to velocities of 〈2 cm/year correlate with episodes of widespread glaciation implying that these prolonged climatic anomalies had an internal origin; the reduced input of volcanically-derived atmospheric greenhouse gases is inferred to have permitted freeze-over conditions with active ice sheets extending into equatorial latitudes as established by low magnetic inclinations in glaciogenic deposits. VRMS vari- ations through Precambrian times correspond to the distribution of U-Pb ages in orogenic granitoids and detrital zircons and demonstrate that mobility of continental crust has been closely related to crustal tectonism and incrementation. Both periods of near-stillstand were followed by rapid VRMS recording massive heat release from beneath the continental lid at -2.2 and 0.6 Ga. The first coincided with the Lomagundi-Jatuli isotopic event and led to prolonged orogenesis accompanied by continental flooding and reconfiguration of the crust on the Earth＇s surface; the second led to continental break-up and instigated the comprehensive Plate Tectonics that has characterised Phanerozoic times. The Meso- proterozoic interval characterised by anorogenic magmatism correlates with low VRMS between - 1.5 and 1.1 Ga. Insulation of the sub-continental mantle evidently permitted high temperature melting and weakening of the crustal lid to enable buoyant emplacement of large plutons at high crustal levels during this magmatic event unique to Mesoproterozoic and early Neoproterozoic times.

Palaeomagnetic Study of Permian Strata at the Yuzhou-Dafengkou Section, Henan

In western Henan, Late Palaeozoic coal measures are completely developed and well exposed. A great deal of research work on biostratigraphy was done by predecessors. After systematic palaeomagnetic studies, we have confirmed the existence of the Permian Kiaman reversed polarity epoch in the study region. Its palaeolatitude varied from 11.2° N(P,) to 15.6°N(P2). This provides important evidence for the view that this region was situated in a low latitude climatic zone in this period and gradually moved northwards from the tropic rain forest climate area to the tropic arid-humid seasonal climate area during this stage.

BLOCK ROTATIONS AT THE NORTHERN EDGE OF INDIA (SPITI,N-INDIA) AND THEIR CONTINUATION TO THE EAST (MALARI, N-INDIA)-REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE TECTONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE TETHYAN HIMALAYAS

In carboniferous and triassic metacarbonates (anchizone to lower greenschist facies) of the Tethyan Himalayas the characteristic remanent magnetisations are carried by magnetite (ChRM\-1) and pyrrhotite (ChRM\-2;Klootwijk & Bingham,1980;Appel et al.,1991 & 1995;Schill et al.,1999).Magnetite may carry a primary remanent magnetisation whereas the pyrrhotite component is secondary and related to the last cooling event below 300℃. Pyrrhotite is formed in marly carbonates during low\|grade metamorphism.In Spiti the last cooling is represented by an 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age of 42～45Ma (Wiesmayr & Grasemann,1999).Five locations were sampled in the Spiti valley (Fig.1).Besides a present earth field direction,both remanent components (ChRM 1+2 ) are present in single specimens.The contribution to the total NRM is around 30% for the ChRM\-2 (coercivity of 20～100mT) and only around 8% for the ChRM\-2 (unblocking temperature of 250～330℃).Despite of the contribution stable remanence directions could be obtained for the ChRM\-2.For all sampling locations well grouping overall mean directions were obtained (Table 1,Fig.1).Results from Losar and the lower Pin valley are preliminary.They were estimated by great circle analyses or by taking the residual component after AF\|demagnetisation. Clockwise block rotations of around 10～40° in respect to stable India since 42 Ma are calculated by using the apparent polar wander path of Besse & Courtillot (1991).The α 95 \|angles show no overlapping (Fig.1 small figure).Therefore local rotations are not negligible.

TERTIARY BLOCK ROTATIONS AND PYRRHOTITE/ MAGNETITE GEOTHERMOMETRY IN THE TETHYAN HIMALAYA(SHIAR KHOLA,CENTRAL NEPAL)

In Mesozoic carbonates of the Tethyan Himalayas two characteristic remanent magnetisations(ChRM\-1 and ChRM\-2)were identified by their unblocking spectra.The ChRM\-1 is carried by pyrrhotite(unblocking spectra:270～340℃),acquired as a secondary thermoremanent magnetisation (TRM) during exhumation and cooling.The ChRM\-2 is carried by magnetite (unblocking spectra:430～580℃).A primary origin is indicated by calcite twin geothermometry and remanences consistent with the expected direction.Along an E—W profile of 10km length the ratio of remanence intensity of pyrrhotite to magnetite ( R PYR/MAG )changes systematically (from 0 38 to 1 00,Fig.1).It is known that pyrrhotite is formed in marly carbonates during low\|grade metamorphism (Rochette 1987).This occurs at the expense of magnetite.Thus the ratio R PYR/MAG is related to metamorphic temperatures and can be used as a geothermometer for temperatures≤300℃ in low\|grade metamorphic carbonates where other methods are rare.Stable remanence directions were used to estimate the amount of block rotation around vertical and horizontal axes(i.e.Klootwijk et al.1985,Appel et al.1991 & 1995).In the Shiar area the pyrrhotite remanence directions follow a small\|circle distribution with a best fit parallel to the N—S direction(Fig.2).

Comparison of the Palaeomagnetic Parameters of Non-Marine Jurassic-Cretaceous Boundary Sediments in Dorset(SW England),Hebei and Liaoning(NE China)—A Preliminary Study

The Purbeck beds in Dorset, the Tuchengzi Formation in western Liaoning Liaoning Province or the Houcheng Formation in northern Hebei Province are non-marine Jurassic/Cretaceous (J/K) boundary sequences. A Czech-China Inter-Governmental S&T Cooperation Project has been carried out to search for the non-marine J/K boundary in northern China and making international correlation with the Purbeck beds in southern England. The combination of palaeomagnetism and biostratigraphy in northern China and southern England localities proves that these distant places had similar climatic conditions and the same fauna during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. A preliminary joint research has shown a fruitful result in searching for the non-marine J/K boundary in northern China.

Baiyun Cave in Naigu Shilin,Yunnan Karst,China

The Baiyun cave is a 380 m long karst cave in the Naigu Shilin, situated 70 km southeast of Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. The prevailing orientations of the cave passages are N110°–120°E and N0°-10°W and those of the fissures in the cave are N30°–40°W and N20°–30°W. The cave is developed in the thick-bedded Lower Permian Qixia Formation. The cave has an active water flow and is currently at the near water-table stage. There are large amounts of different infills of cave sediments. The cave shows different stages of paragenesis. The palaeomagnetic analysis of cave sediments shows that their ages are younger than 780 ka B.P. (the Brunhes Chron). The upper part of the sampled profile belongs to the reverse Blake event (112.3–117.9 ka B.P.). The formation of the Baiyun cave is directly connected with the development of the Naigu Shilin. The formation of karst underground and surface features depends on the regional tectonic deformation and the Cenozoic extension of the study area.

Palaeomagnetic and Rockmagnetic Behaviour of Dykes from Hyderabad Granitic Region, Part of Eastern Dharwar Craton, Southern India

The dykes intruding the Hyderabad Granitic Region(HGR)which forms the part of eastern Dharwar Craton extending between northern and northwestern margins of the Cuddapah Basin and western margin of the Pakhal

Palaeomagnetic Study on a 1765 Ma Dyke Swarm from Singhbhum Craton: Implications to the Paleogeographic Position of India

The paleogeographic position of India within the Columbia supercontinent during Paleoproterozoic era is still uncertain because of very few reliable,high-quality palaeomagnetic data with precise geochronology.Here we

Palaeomagnetic Study on the Precambrian-Cambrian Boundary Candidate Stratotype Section at Meishucun, Yunnan

The Meishucun secton has been recommended as an international candidate stratotype secton of thePrecambrian-Cambrian boundary. The paper deals with the palaeomagnetic study on the section. A total of159 palaeomagnetic samples were successively collected from the platform-facies sequence of carbonates andphosphates at the section. Thermal demagnetization results indicate a great majority of the rocks at the sectionhave been strongly overprinted by recent magnetic field, but 57 samples have preserved remanentmagnetization with antipodal directions (mean D/I=4.2°/ 7.1°, K=9, α_(95) = 6.6°). Baaed on calculation,the location of the palaeomagnetic pole was at 68.8°N and 270.7°E, which is different from any palaeopolesobtained from younger Phanerozoic rocks in South China. The results reveal a polarity zonation which in-cludes at least 9 reversal events. A comparison of China's magnetostratigraphic records with those fromSiberia, Australia and the western U.S.A. shows that all the sections are characterized by frequent polarity re-versals.

Rock magnetic properties and palaeomagnetic results of sediments from a stone implement layer in the Bose Basin, Guangxi

Directional samples were taken to study rock magnetism and palaeomagnetic records from the Dongsheng profile, which is 5 m thick and on the northwest edge of the Bose Basin. Mineralogy and rock magnetism of typical samples indicate that coarse granular titanomagnetite, and fine-grained hematite, superparamagnetic maghemite formed by pedogenesis are in the sediment, which has undergone many transformative processes during different stages of pedogenesis. Parallel samples were taken for thermal demagnetization (TH) (0 to 680°C) and alternating field (AF) demagnetization (0 to 80 mT) respectively. Experimental results of these two kinds of demagnetization illustrate that there are two or more magnetic components in the samples. Intensity of NRM decreases by almost 60% to 90% rapidly when the temperature ranges from 100°C to 350°C, with a steady magnetic component. It is impossible to analyze the magnetic components at high temperature because those fluctuate widely when the temperature is higher than 400°C. Steady magnetic components from 100°C to 350°C indicate that the remanence was mainly carried by fine-grained hematite formed by pedogenesis, reflecting a change in the geomagnetic field while the magnetite was being oxidized into hematite by chemical weathering after deposition. The formative age of the sediments cannot be obtained by magnetic methods in this profile.

Triassic (Anisian and Rhaetian) palaeomagnetic poles from the Germanic Basin (Winterswijk, the Netherlands)

In this paper,we provide two new Triassic palaeomagnetic poles from Winterswijk,the Netherlands,in the stable interior of the Eurasian plate.They were respectively collected from the Anisian(~247–242 Ma)red marly limestones of the sedimentary transition of the Buntsandstein Formation to the dark grey limestones of the basal Muschelkalk Formation,and from the Rhaetian(~208–201 Ma)shallow marine claystones that unconformably overlie the Muschelkalk Formation.The magnetization is carried by hematite or magnetite in the Anisian limestones,and iron sulfides and magnetite in the Rhaetian sedimentary rocks,revealing for both a large normal polarity overprint with a recent(geocentric axial dipole field)direction at the present latitude of the locality.Alternating field and thermal demagnetization occasionally reveal a stable magnetization decaying towards the origin,interpreted as the Characteristic Remanent Magnetization.Where we find a pervasive(normal polarity)overprint,we can often still determine well-defined great-circle solutions.Our interpreted palaeomagnetic poles include the great-circle solutions.The Anisian magnetic pole has declination D±ΔDx=210.8±3.0°,inclination I±ΔIx=-26.7±4.9°,with a latitude,longitude of 45.0°,142.0°respectively,K=43.9,A95=2.9°,N=56.The Rhaetian magnetic pole has declination D±ΔDx=32.0±8.7°,inclination I±ΔIx=50.9±8.1°,with a latitude,longitude of 60.6°,123.9°respectively,K=19.3,A95=7.4°,N=21.The poles plot close to the predicted location of global apparent polar wander paths(GAPWa Ps)in Eurasian coordinates and are feasible for future apparent polar wander path construction.They confirm that the intracontinental,shallow-marine Germanic Basin,in which the Muschelkalk Formation was deposited,existed at a palaeolatitude of 14.1°[11.3,17.1]N,in a palaeo-environment reminding of the Persian Gulf today.In Rhaetian times,palaeolatitudes of 31.6°[24.8,39.8]N were reached,on its way to the modern latitude of 52°N.