Ordovician paleomagnetism of eastern Yunnan, China

Abstract

Three magnetic components have been isolated in Ordovician formations of the Yangtze Paraplatform (South China Block). Two of these (Daqing A and Hongshiya B components) yield paleopoles that conform to the Carboniferous to Triassic segment of the apparent polar wander path for South China, and are therefore interpreted as remagnetizations. The third component (declination/inclination = 301°/+66°, N = 5 sites, k = 21.4, α 95 = 17°) passes the fold test and is interpreted as primary (late Early Ordovician). The paleopole, at 39°S, 236°E, and the paleolatitude of 48°S support an Ordovician position of South China adjacent to Gondwana.