Early Palaeozoic Palaeomagnetism in South East Australia

Abstract

The palaeomagnetism of 22 formations from the Cowra Trough and Molong High of South East Australia have been studied. Samples of Ordovician through Middle Devonian age were collected in three major areas, covering a time period crucial to the understanding of the Palaeozoic apparent polar wander path of Australia. Five magnetic components have been identified: 1) A recent field overprint, 2) a secondary component related to the break up of Australia and Antarctica, 3) a predominent Devonian secondary overprint associated with the major orogenic episode, 4) a weak Silurian overprint associated with an earlier orogenic episode, and 5) primary magnetic components ranging in age from the Ordovician to the Devonian. The directions obtained enable construction of a well defined polar wander path for South East Australia and Australia as a whole. © 1980, Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences. All rights reserved.