Carboniferous palaeomagnetic investigations in Morocco: Permian remagnetizations and possible large Carboniferous rotations occurring in Mesetian sedimentary and Jebilets intrusive rocks

Abstract

Carboniferous limestone and sandstone formations from the Moroccan Meseta and Visean gabbros from the Jebilets massif have been investigated. Palaeomagnetic results reveal the occurrence of different magnetic components. These are (i) a Permian component: Dm= 141.5d̀. Im= ‐1.7d̀. N= 4 [Virtual Geomagnetic Pole (VGP) = 33d̀S, 43.9d̀E], similar to that found in the Anti‐Atlas and in other parts of the Hercynian chain, (ii) a Carboniferous component Dm= 116.6d̀, Im= 25.1d̀, N= 9 (VGP = 7.4d̀S, 54.5d̀E), consistent with other Carboniferous data from Central Sahara and Morocco, and (iii) a component not previously described from Africa and still undated, with a direction Dm= 77.4d̀, Im= 1.5d̀; this direction and it's opposite polarity counterpart were found only at one site (21 specimens) in the Jebilets, and at two sites (20 specimens) in the Meseta (opposite polarity). It may represent an older magnetization possibly of Lower Carboniferous age which would imply important rotations of Africa during this period. Copyright © 1988, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved