Paleomagnetic constraints on timing of the Neoproterozoic breakup of Rodinia and the Cambrian formation of Gondwana

Research Article| October 01, 1993 Paleomagnetic constraints on timing of the Neoproterozoic breakup of Rodinia and the Cambrian formation of Gondwana C. McA. Powell; C. McA. Powell 1Geology Department, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Z. X. Li; Z. X. Li 1Geology Department, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M. W. McElhinny; M. W. McElhinny 1Geology Department, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. G. Meert; J. G. Meert 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1063 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. K. Park J. K. Park 3Continental Geoscience Division, Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E8, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information C. McA. Powell 1Geology Department, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia Z. X. Li 1Geology Department, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia M. W. McElhinny 1Geology Department, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia J. G. Meert 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1063 J. K. Park 3Continental Geoscience Division, Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E8, Canada Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1993) 21 (10): 889–892. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0889:PCOTOT>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation C. McA. Powell, Z. X. Li, M. W. McElhinny, J. G. Meert, J. K. Park; Paleomagnetic constraints on timing of the Neoproterozoic breakup of Rodinia and the Cambrian formation of Gondwana. Geology 1993;; 21 (10): 889–892. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0889:PCOTOT>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Paleomagnetic data from East Gondwana (Australia, Antarctica, and India) and Laurentia are interpreted to demonstrate that the two continents were juxtaposed in the Rodinia supercontinent by 1050 Ma. They began to separate after 725 Ma, allowing the formation of the Pacific Ocean. The low-latitude Rapitan and Sturtian glaciations occurred during the rifting that led to continental breakup. East Gondwana remained in low latitudes for the rest of the Neoproterozoic, while Laurentia moved to polar latitudes by 580 Ma. During the Vendian, a wide Pacific Ocean separated the two continental land masses. The younger Marinoan, Ice Brook, and Varangian glaciations in the early Vendian preceded a second continental breakup in the late Vendian, causing formation of the eastern margin of Laurentia and rejuvenation of its western margin. Paleomagnetic data indicate that Gondwana was not fully assembled until the end of the Neoproterozoic, possibly as late as Middle Cambrian. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.