A revised Palaeozoic apparent polar wander path for Southern Britain (Eastern Avalonia)

Abstract

A revised apparent polar wander path (APWP) is presented for Palaeozoic Southern Britain. the new path, based on a structural reinterpretation of existing data combined with new data from Wales, differs significantly from previous estimates in the following ways: (1) the locus of the Ordovician path segment is extended by approximately 25 degrees of arc; (2) revised time‐calibration of the APWP suggests more Ordovician APW than previously calculated; and (3) the new path implies Middle Ordovician separation across the British sector of lapetus to be greater than previous palaeomagnetic estimates based on APWP analyses (cc. 3300 km; Northern Britain cc. 15S, Southern Britain c. 45S). Copyright © 1991, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved