Paleomagnetism of the Society Cliffs dolostone and the age of the Nanisivik zinc deposits, Baffin Island, Canada

• Published in: Mineralium deposita Vol. 35; no. 7; pp. 672 - 682
• Main Authors: Symons, D. T. A., Symons, T. B., Sangster, D. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01.10.2000
• Subjects: Cretaceous; Geochemistry; Geophysics; Magnetism; Mineralogy; Paleomagnetism; Polar wandering; Zinc; Canada, Nunavut, Baffin I; Canada; Canada, Nunavut, Baffin I., Society Cliffs Formation
• ISSN: 0026-4598; 1432-1866
• DOI: 10.1007/s001260050270

Dolostones of the 1200Ma Society Cliffs Formation within the hydrothermal zone surrounding the Nanisivik zinc deposits retain a stable characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) on alternating field and thermal step demagnetization. Based on the thermal data and saturation isothermal remanence analyses, the ChRM resides in pseudosingle domain magnetite and hematite. A paleomagnetic fold test favours a post-folding ChRM, and a paleomagnetic contact test, using a Franklin gabbro dike, indicates that the ChRM predates 720Ma. The pole position calculated from the ChRM direction is at 168.2°E, 42.8°N (δ^sub p^=4.9°, δ^sub m^=6.8°), giving an age of 1095±10Ma on the well-defined "Logan Loop" portion of the North American apparent polar wander path. This age is considered to date recrystallization of the dolostone host rocks in the halo around the hydrothermal sulfide deposits. No evidence is found for a postulated Cretaceous remagnetization event in the region.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]