Extending the Cantabrian Orocline to two continents (from Gondwana to Laurussia). Paleomagnetism from South Ireland

Daniel Pastor-Galán, Bart Ursem, Patrick A. Meere, Cor Langereis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Regional Variscan structure in southern Ireland follows a gentle arcuate trend of ca. 25° concave to the SE that apparently follows the geometry of the Cantabrian Orocline (NW Iberia) when Iberia is restored to its position prior to the opening of the Biscay Bay. We report paleomagnetic results from Devonian and Carboniferous rocks in southern Ireland: (i) a pervasive and consistent remagnetization during the Late Carboniferous and (ii) an average rotation of ~25° counterclockwise with respect to the Global Apparent Polar Wander Path and kinematically compatible with the Cantabrian Orocline. These results support the participation of Laurussia in the formation of the Cantabrian Orocline involving, at least, southern Ireland and the South Portuguese Zone (S Iberia). We conclude that a Greater Cantabrian Orocline extends beyond its current boundaries to include shear zones in the Variscan hinterland and the Rheic Ocean suture, thereby enlarging its size to plate-scale affecting as it does the Laurussia and Gondwana margins.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)223-231
Number of pages9
JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters
Volume432
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015 Dec 15
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Orocline
  • Paleomagnetism
  • Pangea
  • Tectonics
  • Variscan
  • Vertical axis rotation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science

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