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Silurian collision and sediment dispersal patterns in southern Britain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

N. J. Soper  and
N. H. Woodcock
N. J. Soper
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, The University, Leeds, LS2 9JT, U.K.
N. H. Woodcock
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ, U.K.
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Abstract

The evidence is reviewed for the timing of collision between the microcontinent of Eastern Avalonia (southern Britain and adjacent areas) and the Laurentian continent. Recent palaeomagnetic results placing Eastern Avalonia in a high (50°) southern latitude in mid Ordovician time are now consistent with faunal evidence for the first time. The resulting apparent polar wander path is evaluated and suggests that Eastern Avalonia detached itself from a southern peri-Gondwanan latitude in the early Ordovician, moved northwards, and approached Laurentia by the late Ordovician. Its western corner probably impinged on Laurentia in the early Silurian and it docked against the Laurentian margin during Silurian and early Devonian time with a component of anticlockwise rotation.

This kinematic history is supported by a compilation of sediment dispersal patterns on Eastern Avalonia. A low-volume Ordovician and earliest Silurian supply from within the microcontinent was overwhelmed in late Llandovery time by a large volume of southwest-derived turbidites, probably from the uplifting impact zone to the west. This source was later augmented by a high-volume clastic supply to the north margin of the microcontinent. Eastward migration of this source through Wenlock and Ludlow time reflects the progressive anticlockwise docking of Eastern Avalonia against the Laurentian margin. The earliest sign of a large-volume supply from Baltica is in the late Wenlock, arguing against any earlier hard collision.

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Geological Magazine , Volume 127 , Issue 6 , November 1990 , pp. 527 - 542
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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