Southern hemisphere origin of the Cretaceous Laytonville Limestone of California

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Abstract

New paleomagnetic, paleontologic, and stratigraphic data from outcrops of the Laytonville Limestone (101 to 88 million years old) support a Southern Hemisphere orgin. A paleomagnetic megaconglomerate test is statistically significant and suggests magnetization at 14?? ?? 5?? south, predating Late Cretaceous to Eocene (70 to 50 million years ago) accretion. Rapid Kula plate movement or the existence and demise of a now vanished oceanic plate (or both) are required to accommodate the greater than 50?? of poleward displacement implied by the paleomagnetic data. This rapid motion brings into question the validity of a "speed limit" for absolute plate velocity based on present-day plate motions.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Southern hemisphere origin of the Cretaceous Laytonville Limestone of California
Series title Science
DOI 10.1126/science.231.4744.1425
Volume 231
Issue 4744
Year Published 1986
Language English
Publisher American Association for the Advancement of Science
Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Description 4 p.
First page 1425
Last page 1428
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