Abstract

MENA, Mabel. Paleomagnetic constrain for the age of the Matasiete Formation. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2010, vol.66, n.3, pp.380-398. ISSN 0004-4822.

The results of a paleomagnetic study performed over the Matasiete Formation, belonging to the Chubut Group, are presented. Alternating field and thermal demagnetization techniques were employed to analyze the stability of the magnetic remanence. The studied specimens have relatively high magnetic susceptibilities. They have soft viscous and low unblocking temperature components. These components are statistically coincident with each other and with the geocentric axial dipole field direction for the locality. The magnetic remanences were removed below 580ºC, indicating that magnetite is the main remanence carrier. Characteristic remanent magnetization directions were determined by principal component analysis with a maximum angular deviation smaller than 5º. Given the similar attitudes of the strata, the fold-tests are indeterminate. When the structural correction is applied, the concentration of characteristic remanent magnetization directions increases. That increase suggests that these remanences are pretectonic. All virtual geomagnetic poles corresponding to the remanent magnetizations have a normal polarity. The paleomagnetic pole calculated in this study for the Matasiete Formation is located at 84.7ºS, 161.2ºE (n=34, k=17.51, A95=6.1). That position is statistically equivalent to those of the PPs from Cerro Barcino Formation (112-125 Ma) and Los Adobes Formation (112-130 Ma), outcropping at Central Patagonia. The coincidence of these paleomagnetic poles supports the Hauterivian?-Barremian-Aptian age assigned to the Matasiete Formation on the base of different fosiliferous associations. As the normal polarity of all virtual geomagnetic poles suggests that these rocks were deposited during the Cretaceous normal superchron, an Aptian age is proposed for the Matasiete Formation.

Keywords : Paleomagnetism; Matasiete Formation; Cretaceous normal superchron; Aptian.

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