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Earth geography from 400 to 250 Ma: a palaeomagnetic, faunal and facies review

Trond H. Torsvik and L. Robin M. Cocks
Journal of the Geological Society, 161, 555-572, 1 July 2004, https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-764903-098
Trond H. Torsvik
22Institute for Petroleums Technology and Applied Geophysics, Norwegian University of Science & Technology, N-7491 NTNU, Norway
11Academy of Sciences and Statoil, c/o Geodynamics, Geological Survey of Norway, Leif Eirikssons vei 39, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway (e-mail: [email protected])
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L. Robin M. Cocks
33Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
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Abstract

Palaeomagnetic and faunal data have been re-evaluated on a global basis for the period from 400 Ma (early mid-Devonian) to 250 Ma (latest Permian). The boundaries of the major terranes are considered and defined. Six new palaeogeographical maps at 30 Ma intervals, which ensure kinematic continuity, are presented for this period. The palaeomagnetic data are very useful for positioning terranes for the present-day North Atlantic area, of variable value for China and Tarim, and for much of the large superterrane of Gondwana (being notably poor during the Early Devonian and the Early Carboniferous), and are sparse or non-existent for much of the rest of Asia. The relative positions of Laurussia and Gondwana at the end of the Palaeozoic when they united to form Pangaea are discussed, and it is concluded that the most convincing reconstruction (Pangaea A) is obtained by assuming an octupole contribution of 10–15% in combination with the main dipole of the Earth's magnetic field. As well as faunal and palaeomagnetic data, the disposition of the major sediment types, including coal deposits, evaporites and glacial deposits, has also been considered, especially in the late Carboniferous and Permian.

  • Late Palaeozoic
  • palaeogeography
  • palaeomagnetism
  • brachiopods
  • fish
  • plants
  • © 2004 The Geological Society of London
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Journal of the Geological Society: 161 (4)
Journal of the Geological Society
Volume 161, Issue 4
July 2004
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Earth geography from 400 to 250 Ma: a palaeomagnetic, faunal and facies review

Trond H. Torsvik and L. Robin M. Cocks
Journal of the Geological Society, 161, 555-572, 1 July 2004, https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-764903-098
Trond H. Torsvik
22Institute for Petroleums Technology and Applied Geophysics, Norwegian University of Science & Technology, N-7491 NTNU, Norway
11Academy of Sciences and Statoil, c/o Geodynamics, Geological Survey of Norway, Leif Eirikssons vei 39, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway (e-mail: [email protected])
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
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L. Robin M. Cocks
33Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
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Earth geography from 400 to 250 Ma: a palaeomagnetic, faunal and facies review

Trond H. Torsvik and L. Robin M. Cocks
Journal of the Geological Society, 161, 555-572, 1 July 2004, https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-764903-098
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Biota and climatic data useful in analysing palaeogeography
    • The terranes and their margins
    • Palaeomagnetic data and a lead into the Pangaea problem
    • Earth geography from 400 to 250 Ma
    • Resolution of the Pangaea problem
    • Conclusions
    • Acknowledgements
    • References
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