Finding
Therefore,the main magnetic particles are hematite,as the same result from previous scholars.
Paper
New AMS and paleomagnetic results of Early Cretaceous red beds from Hainan Island
Abstract
A number of studies have reported the paleomagnetic results of Cretaceous red beds from the Hainan Island,but these results are difficult to accommodate with existing paleomagnetic data and geological observations in the South China Block.In order to solve this discrepancy,we conducted a joint paleomagnetic and magnetic anisotropy study on 14 sites(132 samples) of the Cretaceous red beds.The results of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility(AMS) show that the degree of anisotropy(the ratio of maximum and minimum axes of AMS ellipsoid, k_1/k_3),the degree of lineation(the ratio of maximum and intermediate axes k_1/k_2) and the degree of foliation(the ratio of intermediate and minimum axes k_2/k_3) of the samples is 1.018,1.014 and 1.004,respectively.The directions of k_3 are not vertical to the bedding planes as it would be expected from normal depositional and compaction processes.Instead,in one site,the directions of k_2 are coincident with the intersection of joint fractures that represents the intermediate stress, suggesting that the distribution pattern of magnetic particles had likely been changed during tectonic strain.Thermal demagnetization shows the unblocking temperature of660℃. Therefore,the main magnetic particles are hematite,as the same result from previous scholars. The characteristic remanent magnetic(ChRM) direction is distinctive from present geomagnetic direction.At 80.4%unfolding(95%confidence interval is 77%±12.2%),it achieves the maximum value of precision parameter(k),and the mean ChRM direction is D=359.9°,I= 43.4°,κ=70.2,α_(95)=4.8°.This direction is consistent with results from previous scholars,and thus our samples are representative.However,these results are inconsistent with paleomagnetic data and geological observations from nearby regions in the mainland of the South China Block (SCB).For example,if compare the magnetic paleopole(83.8°N,108.4°E,α_(95)=4.7°) of Hainan Island calculated by our data with the Cretaceous magnetic reference pole of SCB(80.1°N,204.1°E,α_(95)=2.5°),it shows that Hainan Island moved southward by about 6 latitude distance relative to SCB since Cretaceous.However,it's hard to happen because SCB was fixed near the present place and thus Hainan was not likely to locate at the place northern than today by 6 latitude.And geological survey has not found a huge fault that could detach Hainan Island from SCB for such long distance.We interpret the ChRM as being carried by detrital hematite particles but changed during deformation because of tectonic strain-induced particle rearrangement.Therefore,the Cretaceous paleomagnetic direction carried by the red beds is unlikely an accurate record of the Cretaceous paleolatitude for the Hainan Island.
Authors
Z. Huo
Journal
Chinese Journal of Geophysics