Palaeomagnetism of the basalts of Wadi Abu Tereifiya, Mandisha and dioritic dykes of Wadi Abu Shihat, Egypt

Abstract

Summary. One hundred and fifty oriented samples were collected from 12 sites from the Tertiary basalts of Wadi Abu Tereifiya (30.0°N, 32.1° E). After alternating field demagnetization the mean direction of the natural remanent magnetization is, D= 187.9°, I= ‐20.8° with α95= 5.8°. This yields a palaeopole at 69.4°N, 188.3° E. Also, 30 oriented samples were collected from two sites from Mandisha in Bahariya Oasis (28.4°N, 28.9° E). After cleaning, the mean direction of the NRM is D= 191.0°, I= 5.2° with α95= 9.9°. This yields a palaeopole position at 58.2°N, 186.7° E. Besides, the NRM of 70 oriented samples collected from seven dioritic dykes from Wadi Abu Shihat (26.3°N, 33.2° E) was found to have a mean direction, D= 142.0°, I= ‐0.3°, which leads to a palaeopole position at, 44.9°N, 273.0° E. This agrees with other Mesozoic pole positions from Africa. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved