Paleomagnetism and tectonics from the late Pliocene to late Pleistocene in the Xalapa monogenetic volcanic field, Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Abstract The Xalapa monogenetic volcanic field, Veracruz, Mexico is located at the eastern end of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. This study uses specimens from 0.8 ka to 5.96 ± 0.156 Ma Xalapa lava deposits and from 4.5 ± 0.028 Ma La Concha ignimbrite. The study identifies the magnetic mineralogy by reflected light microscopy, thermomagnetic curves, and coercivity estimates. It further defines the magnetic domain size distribution by hysteresis plots, Day diagrams, and first-order-reversal-curves. Characteristic remanent directions and virtual geomagnetic poles are also calculated. The characteristic remanent directions are used to establish the magnetostratigraphy and to identify the net rotation experienced, at each site, since the emplacement. The results allow the identification of the rotation domains, and R′-, P-, and Y-shears, active since the past ∼2.5 m.y. in the region and a better characterization of the displacement along the Río Actopan fault, active in the Xalapa monogenetic volcanic field.