Renata N. Tomezzoli

New Late Permian paleomagnetic data from Argentina: Refinement of the apparent polar wander path of Gondwana

The Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic apparent polar wander path of Gondwana is largely constructed from relatively old paleomagnetic results, many of which are considered unreliable by modern standards. Paleomagnetic results derived from sedimentary sequences, which are generally poorly dated and prone to inclination shallowing, are especially common. Here we report the results of a joint paleomagnetic-geochronologic study of a volcanic complex in central Argentina. U-Pb dating of zircons has yielded a robust age estimate of 263.0 +1.6/−2.0 Ma for the complex. Paleomagnetic analysis has revealed a pretilting (primary Permian) magnetization with dual polarities. Rock magnetic experiments have identified pseudo-single domain (titano)magnetite and hematite as the mineralogic carriers of the magnetization. Lightning-induced isothermal remagnetizations are widespread in the low-coercivity magnetic carriers. The resulting paleomagnetic pole is 80.1°S, 349.0°E, A95 = 3.3°, N = 35, and it improves a Late Permian mean pole calculated from a filtered South American paleomagnetic data set. More broadly, this new, high-quality, igneous-based paleomagnetic pole falls between the previously distinct Late Permian segments of the Laurussian and Gondwanan apparent polar wander paths, suggesting that the long-recognized disparity between these large paleomagnetic data sets may be primarily due to the inclusion of low-quality or systemically biased data.

Composite magnetic fabrics and S-C structure in granitic gneiss of Cerro de los Viejos, La Pampa province, Argentina

The Cerro los Viejos gneiss, in La Pampa Province, Argentina, is a mylonitized granite which lies along the late Paleozoic deformed boundary zone between the Patagonia block and ‘mainland’ Gondwana to the north. Petrofabric and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analyses were compared for this body. Unexpectedly, it was found that the Kmin poles deviate from the poles of the main foliation s1 by about 25°. Similarly, but not so noticeably, the Kmax poles trend NE/SW, with a near-horizontal plunge, whereas the principal lineation l1 plunges gently SW. This unusual situation is attributed to the existence of superimposed fabrics arising from S–C structures. Examination of oriented cores in a modified universal stage and of oriented thin-sections revealed that the Kmin poles are clearly associated with a younger but less obvious metamorphic ‘C’ foliation (s2). Biotite and magnetite, the main contributors to the AMS response, are distributed along both s1 and s2. The dominance of s2 in the AMS anisotropy suggests that magnetite is preferentially distributed on s2.

Episodic Remagnetizations related to tectonic events and their consequences for the South America Polar Wander Path

Abstract The South American record of remagnetizations is linked to specific events of its tectonic history stretching back to Precambrian times. At the Ediacaran–Cambrian time interval (570–500 Ma), the final stages of the western Gondwana assemblage led to remagnetization of Neoproterozoic carbonates within the São Francisco–Congo Craton and at the border of the Amazon Craton, along the Araguaia–Paraguay–Pampean Belt. From the late Permian to early Triassic, the San Rafaelic orogeny and the emplacement of the Choiyoi magmatic province was responsible for widespread remagnetizations in Argentina and Uruguay. Cretaceous remagnetization has also been documented in Brazil and interpreted to result from magmatism and fault reactivations linked to the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. We present a review of these widespread remagnetization events principally based on palaeomagnetic data and, when available, on rock magnetic and radiogenic isotope age data. This study gives an overview of the geographical distribution of the remagnetization events in South America, and provides important clues to better understand the geodynamic evolution of the South American plate at these times. In addition, magnetic mineralogy data for the different case studies presented here constrain the physical–chemical mechanisms that led to partial or total resetting of magnetic remanences in sedimentary rocks.

Middle Devonian lycopsids from high southern palaeolatitudes of Gondwana (Argentina)

Fossil plants are described from the upper part of the Devonian Lolen Formation, Sierra de la Ventana, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, in the area of Estancia Las Acacias. The sequence is composed mainly of dark grey shales, and fossils were found in a single horizon where thin inter- layered beds of fine reddish-brown micaceous sandstones appear where the environment of marine deposition became more shallow. The age of the Lolen Formation is presently established on the basis of brachiopods, these being characteristic elements of the Malvinokaffric realm from the Gondwana Lower Devonian (Emsian). The fossil plants are remarkably preserved given that they are in rocks that have undergone intense deformation. The plants are identified as Haplostigma sp. and Haskinsia cf. H. colophylla, and suggest a Middle Devonian age (Givetian) for the fossil-bearing levels. Haskinsia, identified on the basis of leaf morphology, is the first well-delimited Middle Devonian lycopsid genus described from Argentina, and the record from the most southerly palaeolatitude. During the Middle Devonian, Haskinsia was distributed in tropical, warm temperate and high southern latitude, ?cool temperate zones.

Tectonic implications of post-folding Permian magnetizations in the Carapacha Basin, La Pampa province, Argentina

Paleomagnetic results from Permian clastic and igneous rocks of the Carapacha Basin of the Gondwáides orogenic zone of central Argentina are mainly consistent with results reported previously from the same zone further east, e.g., in the Sierra de la Ventana. Three lithologic entities were analysed: the lower member and upper member of the Carapacha Formation, and an andesite intrusive into the upper member. The directions of their characteristic remanences are similar, differ significantly from the present field direction, and are post-folding. The in situ magnetization directions are moreover consistent with directions expected for late Permian poles of the APWP for South America. The in situ pole for the lower Carapacha Formation is 70°S, 049°E, A95=11° (San Roberto pole); the pole for the upper Carapacha, combined with similar directions from the intrusive, is 64°S, 005°E, A95=5° (Río Curacó pole). These magnetizations imply that the Carapacha Formation, with a minimum age of early Late Permian (about 260 Ma.), was deformed before the end of the Permian. Structural evidence, as well as paleomagnetic, IRM, and AMS experimental results, support the interpretations. The paleogeographic implications of these results are interpreted as a significant counterclockwise movement of Gondwana between the early and the late Permian.

New palaeomagnetic results from Late Paleozoic volcanic units along the western Gondwana margin in La Pampa, Argentina

Preliminary palaeomagnetic results from the Paleozoic volcanic units along the Gondwana margin in Argentina are presented. Even though we are still working on the palaeomagnetic data of the sampled section, these data are consistent with data from former studies carried out in the area. More than 90 specimens were measured from the Sierra Chica locality (37°52′S; 65°27′W) computed in 11 sites (Sc1-Sc11). These rocks are carriers of a characteristic remanence magnetization with reverse polarity, acquired during the Early Permian and assigned to the Kiaman Superchron. The resulting palaeomagnetic pole (PP) is Lat.: 64°S; Long.: 017°E, A95 = 15°, K = 12, N = 10. Others interpretations are also possible if the directions of two sites (SC9 and SC10) are considered to have a different magnetic field record. In that case, the PP calculated for sites Sc1-Sc7 is Lat.: 65°S; Long.: 44°E, A95 = 8°, K = 54, N = 7, and the virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) calculated for sites Sc9 and Sc10 is Lat.: 48.5°S; Long.: 315°E, A95 = 8°, N = 2. The last possibility to consider Sc9 and Sc10 after structural correction, and the resulting PP position is Lat.: 66.5°S; Long.: 034°E, A95 = 8°, K = 41, N = 9. This deformation episode could be related to the San Rafaelic orogenic phase, found for the first time in La Pampa province, but previously observed in other neighboring areas during Permian time. However, more detailed palaeomagnetic sampling, rock magnetism studies, and age dating are necessary to complete the palaeomagnetic study of this area.

Tectonic insight based on anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and compaction studies in the Sierras Australes thrust and fold belt (southwest Gondwana boundary, Argentina)

The Sierras Australes fold and thrust belt (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) was in the southwestern Gondwanaland margin during the Paleozoic. The Tunas Formation (Permian) is exposed along the eastern part of it and continues eastward beneath the Claromeco Basin. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and compaction studies are described and compared with previous paleomagnetic studies with the aim of determining direction and magnitude of the main stresses acting during the sedimentation of the Tunas Formation. The anisotropy ellipsoids are triaxial with oblate or prolate shapes, reflecting different stages of layer parallel shortening during the evolution of the basin. Kmax axes trend NW-SE, parallel to the fold axes, while Kmin move from a horizontal (base) to a vertical orientation at the top of the succession, showing a change from a tectonic to almost a sedimentary fabric. The magnitude of anisotropy and compaction degree decreases toward the top of the succession. The AMS results are consistent with the outcrop structural observations and the compaction and paleomagnetic data. Regional pattern indicates a compression from the SW along this part of Gondwana, with a migration of the orogenic front and attenuation toward the NE in the foreland basin during the Upper Paleozoic. This deformation, locally assigned to the San Rafael noncollisional orogenic phase, is the result of the latitudinal movements toward the Equator of Gondwana (southern plates) and Laurentia (northern plates) during the Permian. This movement is the result of a rearrangement of the microplates that collided with Gondwana during the Late Devonian, to configure Pangea during the Triassic.