Paleomagnetic evidence for Neoarchean plate mobilism.

ABSTRACT: Plate tectonics is a unique feature of Earth, but its proposed time of initiation is still controversial, with published estimates ranging from ca. 4.2 to 0.7 Ga. Paleomagnetic data can provide a robust argument for one essential aspect of plate tectonics: large-scale relative lateral motions of distinct, rigid crustal blocks. Previously, the oldest relative horizontal motion between two or more blocks was constrained to a broad age interval of ca. 2.7-2.17 Ga using paleomagnetic data. In this study, we obtain a robust ca. 2.48 Ga paleomagnetic pole from Wyoming craton. Combining this result with the ca. 2.7-2.17 Ga apparent polar wander paths from Wyoming and Superior cratons, we suggest that they assembled during ca. 2.7-2.5 Ga and remained directly juxtaposed until ca. 2.17 Ga. Tectonos

SUBMITTER: Ding J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11686004 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature