Discordant mid‐Cretaceous paleomagnetic pole from the Zaza Terrane of central Cuba

Abstract

Thermal demagnetization of samples from five sites in mid‐Cretaceous volcaniclastic and carbonate rocks of south‐central Cuba reveals two or more components of magnetization. A pre‐folding magnetite borne component is recognized in all, but was difficult to isolate from secondary components in many specimens. Remagnetization circle analysis, using data for 42 specimens from all five sites, yields a pole at 30.7°N Lat., 193.3°E Long. This pole is discordant with respect to the North American APWP, indicating 43°±16° of anticlockwise rotation and 8°±6° of northward displacement since the mid‐Cretaceous. This result suggests that part or all of Cuba was transported on the Caribbean plate before accretion to North America in the Eocene.