Age-related position, geodynamic specifics and paleomagnetism of intrusive complexes of the western coast of the Antarctic peninsula
© V.G. Bakhmutov, D.P. Gladkochub, V.V. Shpira
New paleomagnetic and geochronological results on late Cretaceous-Paleogene intrusive and effusive complexes of the western
part of the Antarctic Peninsula have been obtained. New isotopic dating "fills" regularly the temporal gap from 96 to 61 mil years
demonstrating uninterrupted character of development of considered active margin from the phase of its origination to its collapse.
For the most part of analyzed rocks from early associations of the Andian complex (96-88 mil years ago) subductively-enriched
lithospheric source can be definitely detected. For younger early Cenozoic products (about 60 mil years) a heterogeneous source,
which appeared as a result of mixing of subductive and enriched asthenospheric components has been noticed. For uneven-aged groups
of rocks the components of primary magnetization with directions being in a good agreement between them have been subdivided.
Intrusive rocks along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula by both their age valuations and paleomagnetic estimations refer
to the Cretaceous superchrone of direct polarity, while the rocks forming insular archipelagoes date back to Paleocene. New paleomagnetic
poles for the late Cretaceous (for 112 and 85 mil years ago) and Paleocene (60 mil years ago) have been determined. The results provide
evidence for the absence of considerable (within the limits of paleomagnetic method accuracy) displacements of the block of the Antarctic
Peninsula from the East Antarctica during the last 100 mil years. It confirms the hypothesis that the opening of the Drake Straight in
Oligocene occurred at the expense of the northward drift of the South America as to relatively stabile by its location Antarctic craton.
Paleomagnetic results confirm the possibility of significant displacement of the South Shetland isles relative to the block of the Antarctic
Peninsula in Paleogene-Eocene.
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