Paleomagnetism of basalts from Alborz: Iran part of Asia in the Cretaceous

Abstract

Paleomagnetic results are reported from 20 sites within three units of volcanic rocks of Cretaceous age from the Central Albon Mountains, Iran. After application of progressive demonetization either with alternating magnetic fields or with heating, the mean characteristic remanence direction is found to be Ilt = 33.3O, I = 4’7.5O (+s = 7.2’). Both the paleomagnetic analyses and the inspection of polished thin sections of the lavas point to magnetite as the main carrier of remanence. The paleomagnetic pole is located at 61°N, 147.5’E. This is quite near to the positions of the poles of Cretaceous age on the Eurasian apparent polar wander path. It is suggested that in Cretaceous times northern Iran was at its present position with respect to Eurasia.