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Paleomagnetic results from seven middle Paleozoic plutons in the Appalachian Piedmont of North and South Carolina

Open-File Report 83-916
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr83916

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Abstract

Seven isotopically dated plutons of similar middle Paleozoic age (approx. 400 Ma) were sampled for paleomagnetic study. The results from 12 sites (152 samples) within these plutons show two types of remanence behavior that appear fairly consistent with rock composition. The more leucocratic rocks (9 sites) tend to yield single-component magnetizations, of generally lower coercivities and blocking temperatures relative to the other units, that are considered to represent a recent viscous overprint, The mesocratic to melanocratic rocks show both single- and multicomponent magnetizations, the latter giving characteristic directions isolated through remagnetization-plane analysis. Three sites are considered reliable and yield paleomagnetic poles, of inferred Early Devonian age, that may reflect a 30? southward displacement from stable North America. One large site (25 samples) gives a remagnetized pole position of inferred Carboniferous age consistent with poles from North America, perhaps indicating that the Piedmont may have become part of the North American plate by this time.

Suggested Citation

Hagstrum, J., 1983, Paleomagnetic results from seven middle Paleozoic plutons in the Appalachian Piedmont of North and South Carolina: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 83-916, 20 p. ill., map ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr83916.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Paleomagnetic results from seven middle Paleozoic plutons in the Appalachian Piedmont of North and South Carolina
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 83-916
DOI 10.3133/ofr83916
Year Published 1983
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description 20 p. ill., map ;28 cm.
Additional publication details