The Sabaloka ring complex revisited: palaeomagnetism and rockmagnetism

Abstract

The isotopically dated Lower to Middle Devonian Sabaloka complex (16.3d̀N, 32.6d̀E) in Northern Sudan, for which a palaeomagnetic pole position close to the present geomagnetic pole had been derived in a previous investigation, has been revisited. The formerly determined direction of remanence is shown to be of secondary origin (possibly due to recent or Pleistocene weathering, as shown by ore microscopy and a negative conglomerate test) and a further component of magnetization is detected at several sites. Rockmagnetic studies give strong arguments in favour of a primary origin of the newly found remanence direction. In this paper the palaeomagnetic results (site means) of the two laboratories (Munich and Leeds) for the Sabaloka complex have been combined yielding D= 340.1d̀, I=‐ 43.9d̀, N= 15, k= 20.6, α95= 8.0d̀. This gives a palaeomagnetic South Pole position (site mean) at 42.0d̀S and 55.7d̀E which is discussed in the context of other Palaeozoic pole positions of Gondwana. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved