Open AccessA Cambrian pole for the Moroccan Coastal Meseta
Author(s) -
Khattach D.,
Robardet M.,
Perroud H.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1995.tb05916.x
Subject(s) - thermomagnetic convection , geology , paleomagnetism , magnetization , remanence , magnetite , natural remanent magnetization , volcanic rock , apparent polar wander , polar wander , paleontology , volcanism , demagnetizing field , geochemistry , volcano , geophysics , magnetic field , tectonics , physics , quantum mechanics
SUMMARY Middle Cambrian volcanics of Sidi‐Saïd‐Maǎchou, East of El Jadida, western Morocco (158 cores, 23 sites), sampled in two localities North of Sidi‐Saïd‐Maǎchou, were subjected to progressive alternating field and thermal demagnetization, thermomagnetic cycles, isothermal remanent magnetization acquisition experiments as well as microscopic observations. The magnetic mineralogy of these volcanic rocks is dominated by magnetite and titanomagnetites. The palaeomagnetic analysis has revealed two characteristic components of magnetization: the first (direction D = 300°, I = ‐31°, α 95 = 6°, pole position at 14°N, 231°E, δp = 4°, δm = 7°, palaeolatitude = 16.7°S) is carried by magnetite and yields a positive fold test. It is interpreted, using the results of a baked contact test, as the original magnetization of Middle Cambrian age (520 Ma); the second (direction D = 121°, I = 20°, α 95 = 6°, pole position at 18°S, 55°E, δp = 3°, δm = 6°) is nearly anti‐parallel to the first magnetization but the fold test is not conclusive, and it is interpreted as an overprint that occurred a short time after this volcanism. This study provides the first detailed palaeomagnetic result from Cambrian rocks in the Moroccan Meseta.