Remanent magnetization of the Permian Cutler Formation of western Colorado

The early paleomagnetic observations from the Permian period of the western United States were not subjected to demagnetization studies. Observations on the Lower Permian Cutler formation of western Colorado suggest that many of these older poles are in error by 10 or more degrees. The new pole from the Cutler formation is at 42.7°N, 121.9°E (α95=6.0) and is almost identical with the demagnetized results from eastern North America; it provides an excellent test of the dipolar hypothesis. The results of this study emphasize the need for additional study of the older paleomagnetic data for North America.