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Paleomagnetism of some Precambrian basaltic flows and red beds, Eastern Grand Canyon, Arizona

January 1, 1973

Lava flows and red sandstone beds near the middle of the Upper Precambrian Grand Canyon Series exhibit stable remanent magnetization. The beds are about 1000 m stratigraphically above rocks of the Grand Canyon Series for which paleomagnetic poles have been reported. All specimens were subjected to stepwise thermal (200°–700°C) or alternating field (25–5000 Oe) demagnetization for the determination of characteristic magnetization. The pole for two flows and an intercalated sandstone bed of the Cardenas Lavas of Ford, Breed and Mitchell (upper Unkar Group), is at 174.6W, 0.4N (N = 10, K = 50, α95 = 6.9°). The pole for a weathered zone developed across the Cardenas Lavas is at 167.8W, 49.4N (N = 5, K = 79, α95 = 8.6°). The pole for directly overlying sandstone of the Nankoweap Formation of Maxson is at 174.4E, 12.5N (N = 6, K = 105, α95 = 6.6°). These poles lie on or near, and appear to follow, part of an apparent polar wandering path recently proposed for the Precambrian of North America by Spall. If the fit is not accidental, little or no rotation has occurred between north-central Arizona and parts of the North American continent used to define the proposed path.

    Publication Year 1973
    Title Paleomagnetism of some Precambrian basaltic flows and red beds, Eastern Grand Canyon, Arizona
    DOI 10.1016/0012-821X(73)90064-2
    Authors D. P. Elston, Scott G. Robert
    Publication Type Article
    Publication Subtype Journal Article
    Series Title Earth and Planetary Science Letters
    Index ID 70010057
    Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse