Mesozoic magnetic lineations in the Mozambique Basin

Tie points for Gondwana reconstructions from a structural interpretation of the Mozambique Basin, East Africa and the Riiser-Larsen Sea, Antarctica

“…Recent studies, using new geophysical data, tentatively identify M41n (∼ 165 Ma; Leinweber and Jokat, 2012) or M38n.2n (∼ 164 Ma; Müller and Jokat, 2017; magnetic polarity timescale of Ogg, 2012) as the oldest magnetic anomaly in the Mozambique Basin. This makes the Mozambique Basin and the Riiser-Larsen Sea considerably older than proposed in previous studies (M2 to M22, ∼ 148-127 Ma; Simpson et al, 1979;Segoufin, 1978).…”

“…However, a consistent reconstruction of pre-rift configurations relies on the knowledge of the crustal types and the location and structural style of the continent-ocean boundaries. Therefore, the early movements within Gondwana are poorly constrained and there is a debate about the timing and directions of the earliest rifting and spreading phases (e.g., Cox, 1992;Davis et al, 2016;Eagles and König, 2008;Jokat et al, 2003;Leinweber and Jokat, 2012;Marks and Tikku, 2001;Martin and Hartnady, 1986;Nguyen et al, 2016;Phethean et al, 2016;Reeves, 2014;Reeves et al, 2016;Roeser et al, 1996;Smith and Hallam, 1970;Torsvik and Cocks, 2013). The Mozambique Basin is of special importance for Gondwana reconstructions, as two end-members of rifted margins, a volcanic rifted and a transform margin, can be studied in the immediate vicinity.…”

Jurassic to Eocene Plate Tectonic Reconstructions in the Kerguelen Plateau Region

“…Spreading continued in the Mozambique Channel ( Fig. 5; Ségoufin, 1978;Simpson et al, 1979), in the AfricanAntarctic Basin (Bergh, 1977(Bergh, ,1987, and offWestern Australia (Markl, 1974(Markl, , 1978Larson, 1975Larson, , 1977Larson et al, 1979) between Australia/Antarctica and Africa/Madagascar/Seychelles/Greater India. Rifting continued between Australia and Antarctica (Falvey and Mutter, 1981;Veevers, 1984).…”

“…Seafloor spreading apparently propagated to the south from the Western Somali Basin into the Mozambique Channel; in the latter, the oldest identified magnetic anomaly is M22 (152 Ma; Ségoufin, 1978;Simpson et al, 1979). Conjugate magnetic anomalies, the oldest identified one being M16 (-142 Ma), lie off the Antarctic coast (Bergh, 1977(Bergh, , 1987.…”

Geodynamic evolution of the Antarctic Peninsula during Mesozoic times and its bearing on Weddell Sea history

“…Early and Mid-Jurassic extension, magmatism and sedimentation in the Antarctic Peninsula corresponded with the initial rifting phase of Gondwana breakup (Cox 1992;Storey et al 1992) prior to formation of the oldest known seafloor (estimated to be pre-157Ma based on the location of identified anomaly, M22 in the Somali and Mozambique basins; Simpson et al 1979;S6goufin & Patriat 1980;Lawver et al 1992 by guest on May 12, 2018 http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ Downloaded from for discussion). According to Kristoffersen & Hinz (1991), Cox (1992) and Lawver et al (1992), this period involved sinistral motion of Africa and South America (West Gondwana) relative to Antarctica (East Gondwana) ( Fig.…”