Late Mesoproterozoic (ca 1.2 Ga) palaeomagnetism of the Albany-Fraser orogen: No pre-Rodinia Australia-Laurentia connection

Abstract

New palaeomagnetic data from metamorphic and mafic intrusive rocks of the Albany-Fraser orogen place Australia at high latitudes at ca 1.2 Ga, whereas existing data show that Laurentia occupied low latitudes at this time. No previous reconstructions linking Australia and Laurentia at ca 1.2 Ga are supported by our new data. The two continents moved independently during the early Grenville orogeny, although it is possible that late Mesoproterozoic convergence resulted in an AUSMEX configuration by 1070 Ma.