Synopsis of paleomagnetic studies in the Kapuskasing structural zone

Abstract

This paper summarizes results from paleomagnetic studies sponsored by Lithoprobe on the Kapuskasing structural zone (KSZ). Data from Archean rocks outside the KSZ indicate that the Wawa Subprovince has not been significantly rotated or translated (< 5°) relative to the Abitibi Subprovince. Results from the granulites and amphibolites indicate that the KSZ underwent several kilometres of uplift at ca. 2.51 Ga and then 10 ± 5° west-northwest tilt with several kilometres of further uplift between 2.04 and 1.88 Ga from thrust faulting on the Ivanhoe Lake fault zone. Localized chemical remagnetization occurred at 1.1 Ga along the west side of the Shawmere anorthosite. Paleomagnetic data from the 2.45 Ga Matachewan diabase dike swarm indicate that it was emplaced within one reversed to normal polarity interval of less than 5 Ma. Their polarity pattern indicates major north-trending faults with several kilometres of dip-slip displacement. Their remanence confirms that the Superior Province was deformed around the KSZ into an oroclinal flexure with 40° changes in trend between 2.04 and 1.88 Ga. Results from eight 1.1 Ga alkali syenite–carbonatite complexes show that the KSZ and adjacent subprovinces have undergone only minor uplift (< 6 ± 2 km) since emplacement. Also, these data refine the radiometric ages of some complexes, demonstrate that the use of superchrons to correlate Keweenawan units in the Midcontinental Rift is unsound, and show that Keweenawan magnetic field was symmetrical. Many specific conclusions that relate to a given unit or limited area were drawn in the KSZ paleomagnetic studies.