Age estimation of the Deccan Traps from the North American apparent polar wander path

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Geology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1988)016<0296:AEOTDT>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:6993247

Stoddard, P R; Jurdy, D M

It has recently been proposed that flood basalt events, such as the eruption of the Deccan Traps, have been responsible for mass extinctions. To test this hypothesis, accurate estimations of the ages and duration of these events are needed. In the case of the Deccan Traps, however, neither age nor duration of emplacement is well constrained; measured ages range from 40 to more than 80 Ma, and estimates of duration range from < 1 to 67 m.y. To make an independent age determination, the authors use paleomagnetic and sea-floor-spreading data and estimate the associated errors. The authors compare the Deccan paleomagnetic pole with the reference apparent polar wander path of North America by rotating the positions of the paleomagnetic pole for the Deccan Traps to the reference path for a range of assumed ages. Uncertainties in the apparent polar wander path, Deccan paleopole position, and errors resulting from the plate reconstruction are estimated. The authors suggest 83-70 Ma as the most likely time of extrusion of these volcanic rocks.

• Research Organization: Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6993247
• Journal Information: Geology; (United States), Journal Name: Geology; (United States) Vol. 16:4; ISSN GLGYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580100* -- Geology &amp; Hydrology-- (-1989)
AGE ESTIMATION
ASIA
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CENOZOIC ERA
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ERRORS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
IGNEOUS ROCKS
INDIA
MAGNETISM
MESOZOIC ERA
PALEOMAGNETISM
ROCKS
SEA-FLOOR SPREADING
TERTIARY PERIOD
VOLCANIC REGIONS
VOLCANIC ROCKS