M.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Ph.D. (Geology) / The Paleoproterozoic (i.e. 2500 Ma to 1600 Ma) apparent polar wander path (APWP) for the Kaapvaal craton (KC) is not well constrained, due to the lack of reliable paleopoles and absence of numerical ages for existing poles. In addition, the duration of emplacement, and timing of remanence acquisition of the Rustenburg Layered Suite (RLS) and other units of the Bushveld Large Igneous Province (LIP) are still unclear. During the present paleomagnetic study, samples were collected from the small intrusions that occur around the RLS and that are believed to be related to the Bushveld LIP for the establishment of new paleomagnetic and virtual geomagnetic poles. In addition, samples from post-Transvaal sills and dykes were targeted for U-Pb dating and geochemical analyses. Geochronological and geochemical data helped to constrain the timing of the newly defined paleopoles. These paleopoles were used in conjunction with previously published ones from KC to evaluate the APWP for this craton during the Paleoproterozoic. Two of the studied post-Transvaal sills in the eastern KC revealed U-Pb ages that are identical to the age recently reported from the Marginal Zone of the RLS. Geochemical signatures of sill samples were in very good agreement with the newly obtained ages. New ages and geochemical data provided constraints on the magnetic components recorded by the sills. The results confirm the existence of B1 Bushveld magma-related sills on KC as well as pre and post-Bushveld sills as previously suggested. Particularly, dataset from the B1 Bushveld magma-related sills allowed for understanding the magnetic history of the RLS at the early stages (Marginal Zone) of its formation. Paleomagnetic sampling of the Uitkomst Complex provided constraints on the remanence acquisition of this complex and also helped to understand the timing of the Bushveld magmatism outside of the main complex. Paleomagnetic data from a post-Transvaal dolerite dyke swarm near Lydenburg revealed a complex magnetic history. Characteristic magnetic components constrained by geochemical analyses were not similar to the RLS, but indicate probable relationship to other units of the Bushveld LIP. The new ages generated in this study coupled to those previously obtained from the upper layers of the RLS suggested that this suite emplaced within a time period of at least 4 million years. Paleomagnetic results from the B1 Bushveld magma-related sills and available data from the upper layers of the RLS reveal that during the RLS emplacement, the Earth’s magnetic field reversed at least eight times. These results, together with data from the Lydenburg dykes, further indicate a minimum of nine changes in polarity of the Earth’s magnetic field during the formation of the Bushveld LIP. During the present study, new pole positions of different reliability were added to the existing paleomagnetic database for the KC. Paleopoles from the Paleoproterozoic database of the KC (including those generated in the present study) were used to propose a new APWP for this craton from ~2200 Ma to ~1800 Ma. Particularly, poles from the B1 Bushveld magma-related sills and Uitkomst Complex provide the information to identify striking features in the APWP of the Paleoproterozoic KC.

Orientador: Giancarlo Scardia / Resumo: A magnetoestratigrafia é uma importante ferramenta de correlação estratigráfica por se basear nas alternâncias de polaridade do campo geomagnético ao longo do tempo geológico. As magnetozonas permitem correlações entre diferentes sistemas deposicionais, independente de conteúdo fossilífero e de localização geográfica. Análises paleomagnéticas foram conduzidas em três testemunhos de sondagem da Companhia de Pesquisa e Recursos Minerais do Brasil (CPRM) localizados nos estados de São Paulo e do Paraná, que abrangem o Grupo Passa Dois e a Formação Piramboia (Grupo São Bento). A investigação busca refinar a geocronologia dessas unidades e contribuir para a construção das escalas globais do tempo baseadas em polaridades geomagnéticas para o Permiano fornecendo dados do hemisfério Sul. Análises complementares foram obtidas em duas seções aflorantes das formações Corumbataí e Piramboia. A transição entre a Superchron Reversa de Kiaman e a Superchron de Polaridade Mista de Illawarra foi identificada na Formação Corumbataí do testemunho FP-12-SP, a 76 metros do topo da Formação Irati. A correlação estratigráfica entre os três testemunhos estudados revela que FP-12-SP corresponde a uma seção condensada do Permiano da Bacia do Paraná, no qual as porções basal e intermediária da Formação Corumbataí se correlacionam com as formações Teresina (majoritariamente do Wordiano) e Rio do Rasto (Capitianiano - ?) dos furos SP-23-PR e SP-58-PR. Os resultados da Formação Piramboia foram inconclusiv... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Magnetostratigraphy in an important stratigraphic correlation tool because it is based on the reversals of Earth’s magnetic field polarities through the geological time. Magnetic zones allow stratigraphic correlations among rocks from different depositional systems, despite fossil content or geographic location. Paleomagnetic analyses were conducted in samples from three drill cores from Companhia de Pesquisa e Recursos Minerais (CPRM) of Brazil, located in the states of São Paulo and Paraná, which encompasses rocks of Passa Dois Group and Piramboia Formation (São Bento Group). The investigation is an effort to refine the geochronology of these units and to contribute to the elaboration of Permian Global Polarity Time Scales (GTPS) providing data from southern hemisphere. Additional analyses were obtained from two outcrop sections of Corumbataí and Piramboia formations. We identified the transition between Kiaman Reverse Superchron and Illawarra Mixed-Polarity Superchron at the Corumbataí Formation from FP-12-SP core, 76 meters above the top of Irati Formation. The stratigraphic correlation among the three drill cores reveals that FP-12- SP is a condensed section from the Permian of Paraná Basin, in which the lower and intermediate portions of Corumbataí Formation are correlative to Teresina (mainly Wordian) and Rio do Rasto (Capitanian - ?) formations from SP-23-PR and SP-58-PR drills. Results from Piramboia Formation were inconclusive. Magnetic mineralogy of samples is main... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Il est établi que la Lune a eu par le passé un champ généré par une dynamo interne. Cependant, les mécanismes à l’origine et permettant le maintien de la dynamo sont encore mal connus. La durée de ce champ magnétique est encore débattue. Mon travail de thèse a consisté tout d’abord à une caractérisation magnétique (aimantation naturelle et susceptibilité magnétique) d’une grande partie de la collection Apollo avec l’étude de 161 roches. J'ai utilisé le rapport aimantation naturelle sur susceptibilité comme indicateur grossier de la paléointensité. Ces résultats, cohérents avec les deux grandes époques du champ magnétique lunaire (époque de fort champ avant ~3.5 Ga et champ faible ensuite), ont permis de sélectionner des échantillons pour des analyses paléomagnétiques détaillées en laboratoire qui ont constitué la suite de mon travail. J’ai ainsi étudié l’aimantation naturelle de 25 échantillons Apollo et 2 météorites lunaires. Différentes techniques ont permis d’obtenir 8 valeurs de paléointensités (1-47 µT) et 7 limites supérieures de paléointensité (< 30 µT). Ces données, couplées aux âges radiométriques (existants et nouvellement acquis), retracent l’évolution du champ de surface lunaire au cours du temps. Les résultats corroborent l’existence d’une période de champ fort (4-3.5 Ga) et prolongent cette période jusqu’à environ 3 Ga. Les paléointensités > 1 µT que nous obtenons jusqu’à 0.1 Ga indiquent un arrêt très tardif de la dynamo. De plus, de faibles paléointensités sont obtenues dans l’époque de champ fort, suggérant une valeur de champ moyen plus faible que proposé dans la littérature. Cette étude permet de mieux contraindre l'évolution de ce champ lunaire. / It is admitted that the Moon used to have a magnetic field, generated by an internal dynamo. However, the mechanisms responsible for the dynamo and its preservation are still poorly known today. The lifetime of the magnetic field is also debated. My thesis was focused first on the magnetic characterization (natural magnetization and magnetic susceptibility) of a large part of the Apollo collection, with the study of 161 Apollo rocks. I used the ratio of the natural magnetization to the magnetic susceptibility to obtain an approximate indicator of paleointensity. Results of this ratio were coherent with the two major epochs determined in the lunar magnetic field (high field epoch before ~3.5 Ga and a weak field epoch after) and allowed me to select samples for detailed paleomagnetic analyses in another part of my thesis. Then, I studied in laboratory the natural magnetization of 25 Apollo samples and 2 lunar meteorites. Different methods were used to obtain 8 paleointensities values (between 1 and 47 µT) and 7 upper limits of paleointensity (< 30 µT).These data were coupled with radiometric ages to trace the evolution of the lunar surface field over time. These results corroborate the existence of a strong field epoch (4-3.5 Ga) and extend this epoch until ~3 Ga. Paleointensities of values > 1 µT obtained until 0.1 Ga indicates a very late interruption of the dynamo. Weak paleointensities were obtained in the high field epoch, suggesting a value of average field lower than previously proposed in literature. This study allows to better constrain the temporal evolution of the lunar magnetic field.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 1980. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Science. / Vita. / Includes bibliographies. / by Alan Dana Chave. / Ph.D.

Ce projet porte sur la reconstitution paléo-écologique d'un environnement forestier fossile retrouvé sur un plateau au sud-ouest de l'île Bylot. Il a comme objectifs 1) de préciser la chrono-stratigraphie du site; 2) d’établir une liste et une succession des différents taxons polliniques retrouvés dans les différentes unités stratigraphiques du site; 3) d’estimer leur âge et 4) d’en inférer des conditions climatiques (température et précipitations). Plusieurs coupes stratigraphiques ont été excavées puis échantillonnées afin de réaliser des analyses stratigraphiques, paléomagnétiques et polliniques. Un GPS différentiel fut également utilisé afin de caractériser à petite et grande échelle les unités stratigraphiques associées aux unités organiques fossiles. Les résultats des analyses granulométriques indiquent la séquence de dépôt suivante au sein d’une dépression dans la roche en place (schiste tertiaire) : 1) un diamicton glaciaire local ; 2) un sédiment limoneux d’origine glacio-lacustre ; 3) une unité organique tourbeuse; 4) une unité de type alluvial ; 5) un sédiment fluvio-glaciaire et 6) un diamicton glaciaire d’origine allochtone. Les analyses polliniques suggèrent une végétation similaire à celle présente près de la limite des arbres actuelle, environ 2000 km plus au sud. Les conditions climatiques plus humides et plus chaudes permettaient notamment la croissance du pin (Pinus type strobus et banksiana), de l’épinette (Picea cf. mariana), de l’aulne (type crispa et incana) et du mélèze (Larix, indifférencié). Enfin, les études paléomagnétiques et la présence d’espèces éteintes suggèrent un âge pour les dépôts organiques fossiles situé entre 2,14 et 2,15 Ma ou entre 2,581 et 3,040 Ma. / The project focuses on the paleo-ecological reconstitution of a fossil forest environment found on a plateau on the southwest part of Bylot Island, in the Canadian Arctic. The objectives were 1) to describe the chrono-stratigraphy of the site; 2) to establish a list and the succession of different pollen taxa found in organic and inorganic fossil units of the site; 3) to estimate their age and 4) to infer the past climatic conditions of the site. Several stratigraphic cuts were excavated and sampled for stratigraphic, paleomagnetic and pollen analyses. Also, a differential GPS was used to characterise the stratigraphic units associated with the organic fossil units at a small and large scale. Results of the granulometric analysis suggest the following deposition sequence starting from a depression in the bedrock (tertiary shale): 1) a glacial diamicton with local clasts; 2) a silty sediment of glacio-lacustrine origin; 3) an organic peat unit; 4) an alluvial type unit; 5) a fluvio-glacial sediment and 6) a glacial diamicton of allochtone origin. The pollen analyses suggest vegetation similar to that of the current tree-line limit, situated about 2000 km south of the site. The climatic conditions were warmer and more humid, allowing the local growth of pines (Pinus type strobus and banksiana), spruce (Picea cf. mariana), alder (Alnus type crispa and incana) and larch (Larix, undifferentiated). Paleomagnetic analyses and the presence of extinct species finally suggest an age for the organic fossil deposits of between 2,14 and 2,15 My or most likely between 2,581 and 3,040 My.

Modelos de reconstruções paleogeográficas envolvendo o Cráton Amazônico para 1100 Ma são motivos de controvérsia devido à carência de dados paleomagnéticos de qualidade para esta unidade geotectônica. Com intuito de contribuir para o esclarecimento da participação do Cráton Amazônico na evolução do ciclo continental, este trabalho apresenta o estudo paleomagnético realizado para o Complexo Máfico- ultramáfico Rincón del Tigre localizado na região sudeste da Bolívia, sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico. Uma recente datação U-Pb em badeleítas forneceu idade de 1110,4 ± 1,8 Ma para esta unidade. Para o estudo paleomagnético, 101 amostras cilíndricas orientadas foram coletadas de 15 sítios de composição litológica variada, compreendendo ultramáficas, ortopiroxenitos adcumuláticos, gabro noritos e serpentinitos. Um total de 359 espécimes cilíndricos de rocha de 2.2 cm de altura por 2.5 cm de diâmetro foi preparado para os tratamentos por campos magnéticos alternados (AF) e térmicos, assim como, para medidas de anisotropia de susceptibilidade magnética (ASM). As mesmas amostras foram preparadas para os experimentos de mineralogia magnética: curvas termomagnéticas, curvas de histerese e curvas de magnetização remanente isotérmica (MRI). Os resultados obtidos a partir da análise de anisotropias de suscetibilidade magnética (ASM) indicam, para boa parte das amostras analisadas, trama magnética aproximadamente horizontal coerente com a colocação de sills e lineação magnética para NW/SE, a qual indica que estas rochas sofreram influência da tectônica de deformação de direção NE-SW que as afetou durante a orogênese Sunsás. O estudo da mineralogia magnética indica magnetita como principal portador magnético presente nas rochas analisadas. Os tratamentos por campos alternados e térmico foram eficientes para separar as componentes de magnetização através da análise vetorial, sendo que direções coerentes foram obtidas para boa parte dos espécimes analisados para cada sítio. Todavia, a mesma coerência não é observada para as direções médias por sítio. Assim, correções tectônicas foram efetuadas e para um grupo de sítios obteve-se um teste de dobra positivo, com direção média Dm=327,9°, Im=53,5° (95=13,1°, K=22,6, N=7), a qual forneceu o polo paleomagnético situado em 271,7°E, 28,6°N (A95=17,6°). Supondo uma trama magnética horizontal (k3=90°) para os sills acamadados que constituem o Complexo Rincón del Tigre, a direção média (declinação e inclinação) do eixo k3 para cada sítio foi utilizada para corrigir as direções de magnetização para a situação de trama horizontal. Após a correção de ASM, outro grupo de sítios apresentou direções consistentes, cuja direção média Dm=118,6°, Im=20,7° (95=16,5°, K=12,2, N=8) forneceu o polo paleomagnético situado em 28,5°E, 30,0°S (A95=12,8). Os parâmetros estatísticos foram também significativamente melhorados após a correção de ASM. Com base nos dois polos determinados para o Complexo Rincón del Tigre e polos selecionados para o Cráton Amazônico e Laurentia são propostas paleogeografias para 1265 Ma, 1200 Ma, 1150 Ma, 1100 Ma e 1000 Ma que apoiam o modelo que propõe a ruptura do supercontinente Columbia, por volta de 1270 Ma atrás, e o posterior movimento de rotação horária do Cráton Amazônico/Oeste-África e da Báltica até estes blocos cratônicos colidirem novamente há 1000 Ma atrás com a Laurentia, ao longo do cinturão Grenville, para formar o supercontinente Rodínia. / Paleogeographic reconstructions at 1100 Ma involving the Amazonian Craton are controversial due to the absence of key paleomagnetic poles for this geotectonic unit. Trying to elucidate the participation of the Amazonian Craton in the continental cycle, this work present a paleomagnetic study of the Rincón del Tigre mafic-ultramafic complex from southeast Bolivia, southwestern Amazonian Craton. A recent U-Pb dating on baddeleyites of a rock from this complex yielded an age of 1110.4 ± 1.8 Ma for this unit. For the paleomagnetic study, 101 cylindrical cores were sampled from 15 sites with variable lithologies, comprising ultramafics, adacumulatic orthopyroxenites, gabbro norites and serpentinites. A total of 359 cylindrical specimens (2.5 cm diameter x 2.2 cm height) were prepared for the AF and thermal treatments, and for the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements. The same samples were prepared for magnetic experiments: thermomagnetic curves, hysteresis curves and isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves. The ASM results indicate nearly horizontal magnetic fabric for many of the analyzed sites, which agrees with that originated by sills emplacement, and a NW/SE magnetic lineation, which suggests that these rocks were tectonically affected by the Sunsás orogen. The magnetic mineralogy studies indicate magnetite as the main magnetic carrier in the rocks. The AF and thermal treatments were effective in isolating magnetic components through vector analysis, and coherent magnetic directions were disclosed for much of the specimens from each site. However, the same consistency was not observed for the between-site directions. Tectonic corrections were applied for the site mean directions, which yielded a positive fold test for a group of sites: mean direction Dm=327.9°, Im=53.5° (95=13.1°, K=22.6, N=7), which yielded the paleomagnetic pole at 271.7°E, 28.6°N (A95=17.6°). Supposing an horizontal magnetic fabric (k3=90°) for the layered sills that originally formed the Rincón del Tigre Complex, the mean direction (declination and inclination) of the k3 axis calculated for each site, was used to correct site mean magnetization directions for the situation of horizontal magnetic fabric. After ASM correction, another group of sites yielded consistent directions, whose mean direction Dm=118.6°, Im=20.7° (95=16.5°, K=12.2, N=8) yielded the paleomagnetic pole at 28.5°E, 30.0°S (A95=12.8). Statistical parameters were also greatly improved after ASM corrections. Paleogeographies at 1265 Ma, 1200 Ma, 1150 Ma, 1100 Ma and 1000 Ma were constructed based on the Rincón del Tigre poles and other selected poles from the Amazonian Craton and Laurentia, which support the model where soon after Columbia rupture at around 1270 Ma, the Amazonian Craton/West Africa and Baltica executed clockwise rotations until they collide again at 1000 Ma with Laurentia, along the Grenvillian belt, forming Rodinia supercontinent.

Modelos de reconstruções paleogeográficas envolvendo o Cráton Amazônico para 1100 Ma são motivos de controvérsia devido à carência de dados paleomagnéticos de qualidade para esta unidade geotectônica. Com intuito de contribuir para o esclarecimento da participação do Cráton Amazônico na evolução do ciclo continental, este trabalho apresenta o estudo paleomagnético realizado para o Complexo Máfico- ultramáfico Rincón del Tigre localizado na região sudeste da Bolívia, sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico. Uma recente datação U-Pb em badeleítas forneceu idade de 1110,4 ± 1,8 Ma para esta unidade. Para o estudo paleomagnético, 101 amostras cilíndricas orientadas foram coletadas de 15 sítios de composição litológica variada, compreendendo ultramáficas, ortopiroxenitos adcumuláticos, gabro noritos e serpentinitos. Um total de 359 espécimes cilíndricos de rocha de 2.2 cm de altura por 2.5 cm de diâmetro foi preparado para os tratamentos por campos magnéticos alternados (AF) e térmicos, assim como, para medidas de anisotropia de susceptibilidade magnética (ASM). As mesmas amostras foram preparadas para os experimentos de mineralogia magnética: curvas termomagnéticas, curvas de histerese e curvas de magnetização remanente isotérmica (MRI). Os resultados obtidos a partir da análise de anisotropias de suscetibilidade magnética (ASM) indicam, para boa parte das amostras analisadas, trama magnética aproximadamente horizontal coerente com a colocação de sills e lineação magnética para NW/SE, a qual indica que estas rochas sofreram influência da tectônica de deformação de direção NE-SW que as afetou durante a orogênese Sunsás. O estudo da mineralogia magnética indica magnetita como principal portador magnético presente nas rochas analisadas. Os tratamentos por campos alternados e térmico foram eficientes para separar as componentes de magnetização através da análise vetorial, sendo que direções coerentes foram obtidas para boa parte dos espécimes analisados para cada sítio. Todavia, a mesma coerência não é observada para as direções médias por sítio. Assim, correções tectônicas foram efetuadas e para um grupo de sítios obteve-se um teste de dobra positivo, com direção média Dm=327,9°, Im=53,5° (95=13,1°, K=22,6, N=7), a qual forneceu o polo paleomagnético situado em 271,7°E, 28,6°N (A95=17,6°). Supondo uma trama magnética horizontal (k3=90°) para os sills acamadados que constituem o Complexo Rincón del Tigre, a direção média (declinação e inclinação) do eixo k3 para cada sítio foi utilizada para corrigir as direções de magnetização para a situação de trama horizontal. Após a correção de ASM, outro grupo de sítios apresentou direções consistentes, cuja direção média Dm=118,6°, Im=20,7° (95=16,5°, K=12,2, N=8) forneceu o polo paleomagnético situado em 28,5°E, 30,0°S (A95=12,8). Os parâmetros estatísticos foram também significativamente melhorados após a correção de ASM. Com base nos dois polos determinados para o Complexo Rincón del Tigre e polos selecionados para o Cráton Amazônico e Laurentia são propostas paleogeografias para 1265 Ma, 1200 Ma, 1150 Ma, 1100 Ma e 1000 Ma que apoiam o modelo que propõe a ruptura do supercontinente Columbia, por volta de 1270 Ma atrás, e o posterior movimento de rotação horária do Cráton Amazônico/Oeste-África e da Báltica até estes blocos cratônicos colidirem novamente há 1000 Ma atrás com a Laurentia, ao longo do cinturão Grenville, para formar o supercontinente Rodínia. / Paleogeographic reconstructions at 1100 Ma involving the Amazonian Craton are controversial due to the absence of key paleomagnetic poles for this geotectonic unit. Trying to elucidate the participation of the Amazonian Craton in the continental cycle, this work present a paleomagnetic study of the Rincón del Tigre mafic-ultramafic complex from southeast Bolivia, southwestern Amazonian Craton. A recent U-Pb dating on baddeleyites of a rock from this complex yielded an age of 1110.4 ± 1.8 Ma for this unit. For the paleomagnetic study, 101 cylindrical cores were sampled from 15 sites with variable lithologies, comprising ultramafics, adacumulatic orthopyroxenites, gabbro norites and serpentinites. A total of 359 cylindrical specimens (2.5 cm diameter x 2.2 cm height) were prepared for the AF and thermal treatments, and for the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements. The same samples were prepared for magnetic experiments: thermomagnetic curves, hysteresis curves and isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves. The ASM results indicate nearly horizontal magnetic fabric for many of the analyzed sites, which agrees with that originated by sills emplacement, and a NW/SE magnetic lineation, which suggests that these rocks were tectonically affected by the Sunsás orogen. The magnetic mineralogy studies indicate magnetite as the main magnetic carrier in the rocks. The AF and thermal treatments were effective in isolating magnetic components through vector analysis, and coherent magnetic directions were disclosed for much of the specimens from each site. However, the same consistency was not observed for the between-site directions. Tectonic corrections were applied for the site mean directions, which yielded a positive fold test for a group of sites: mean direction Dm=327.9°, Im=53.5° (95=13.1°, K=22.6, N=7), which yielded the paleomagnetic pole at 271.7°E, 28.6°N (A95=17.6°). Supposing an horizontal magnetic fabric (k3=90°) for the layered sills that originally formed the Rincón del Tigre Complex, the mean direction (declination and inclination) of the k3 axis calculated for each site, was used to correct site mean magnetization directions for the situation of horizontal magnetic fabric. After ASM correction, another group of sites yielded consistent directions, whose mean direction Dm=118.6°, Im=20.7° (95=16.5°, K=12.2, N=8) yielded the paleomagnetic pole at 28.5°E, 30.0°S (A95=12.8). Statistical parameters were also greatly improved after ASM corrections. Paleogeographies at 1265 Ma, 1200 Ma, 1150 Ma, 1100 Ma and 1000 Ma were constructed based on the Rincón del Tigre poles and other selected poles from the Amazonian Craton and Laurentia, which support the model where soon after Columbia rupture at around 1270 Ma, the Amazonian Craton/West Africa and Baltica executed clockwise rotations until they collide again at 1000 Ma with Laurentia, along the Grenvillian belt, forming Rodinia supercontinent.

Le Centre-Est de la Mongolie intérieure, faisant la partie sud-est de la Ceinture Orogénique de l'Asie Centrale (CAOB), est une zone de clé pour étudier l'histoire de l’accrétion-collision entre la Chine du Nord (NCC) et les blocs continentaux du Nord. Les contraintes du cadre tectonique et de la connaissance de l’évolution tectonique sont importantes pour comprendre l’accrétion de la CAOB car il n’y a pas de consensus sur le mode et la période de l'accrétion entre NCC et les blocs du Nord. Par conséquent, des études pluridisciplinaires ont été effectuées sur les roches sédimentaires et magmatiques du Paléozoïque supérieur dans le centre-oriental de la Mongolie Intérieure. Sur la base de nos études sédimentologiques, géochronologiques, géochimiques et paléomagnétiques, et compte tenu des résultats précédents en pétrographie, géochimie et paléontologie, l'évolution sédimentaire et tectonique du Paléozoïque supérieur du Centre-Oriental de la Mongolie Intérieure a été bien établie. Les études détaillées en sédimentologie et géochimie montrent une transition entre les dépôts molassiques du Dévonien à la dénudation du Carbonifère inférieur et les sédiments marins du Carbonifère supérieure vers les dépôts de bassin d'extension au Permien. D’après nos analyses détaillées des faciès sédimentaires, des caractéristiques géochimiques des roches magmatiques et nos données paléomagnétiques, nous proposons un modèle géodynamique de subduction-collision-extension post-orogénique pour le Paléozoïque au Centre-Oriental de la Mongolie Intérieure. / Central-eastern Inner Mongolia, located in the southeastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is a key area to study the collisional-accretionary history between the North China Craton (NCC) and the northern continental blocks. The establishment of precise constraints of this tectonic framework and evolutional history are important to understand the accretion of CAOB. However, no any consensus has been achieved about the way and the timing of the accretion between NCC and the northern blocks. Therefore, multidisciplinary studies have been carried out on the Late Paleozoic strata and magmatic rocks in central-eastern Inner Mongolia. Based on our sedimentological analyses, detrital zircon geochronological constraints, geochemical studies and paleomagnetic investigations, integrating the previous results in petrology, geochemistry and paleontology, the Late Paleozoic sedimentary-tectonic evolution of the central-eastern Inner Mongolia has been established. Detailed sedimentological and geochemical studies show a transition from the Devonian molassic deposits to the Early Carboniferous denudation and from the Late Carboniferous inland-sea sediments to the Permian extensional basin deposits. According to the comprehensive analyses on sedimentary facies, geochemical characteristics and paleomagnetic data, we propose a Paleozoic subduction-collision- post-orogenic extension tectonic model for central-eastern Inner Mongolia.

Ce projet porte sur la reconstitution paléo-écologique d'un environnement forestier fossile retrouvé sur un plateau au sud-ouest de l'île Bylot. Il a comme objectifs 1) de préciser la chrono-stratigraphie du site; 2) d’établir une liste et une succession des différents taxons polliniques retrouvés dans les différentes unités stratigraphiques du site; 3) d’estimer leur âge et 4) d’en inférer des conditions climatiques (température et précipitations). Plusieurs coupes stratigraphiques ont été excavées puis échantillonnées afin de réaliser des analyses stratigraphiques, paléomagnétiques et polliniques. Un GPS différentiel fut également utilisé afin de caractériser à petite et grande échelle les unités stratigraphiques associées aux unités organiques fossiles. Les résultats des analyses granulométriques indiquent la séquence de dépôt suivante au sein d’une dépression dans la roche en place (schiste tertiaire) : 1) un diamicton glaciaire local ; 2) un sédiment limoneux d’origine glacio-lacustre ; 3) une unité organique tourbeuse; 4) une unité de type alluvial ; 5) un sédiment fluvio-glaciaire et 6) un diamicton glaciaire d’origine allochtone. Les analyses polliniques suggèrent une végétation similaire à celle présente près de la limite des arbres actuelle, environ 2000 km plus au sud. Les conditions climatiques plus humides et plus chaudes permettaient notamment la croissance du pin (Pinus type strobus et banksiana), de l’épinette (Picea cf. mariana), de l’aulne (type crispa et incana) et du mélèze (Larix, indifférencié). Enfin, les études paléomagnétiques et la présence d’espèces éteintes suggèrent un âge pour les dépôts organiques fossiles situé entre 2,14 et 2,15 Ma ou entre 2,581 et 3,040 Ma. / The project focuses on the paleo-ecological reconstitution of a fossil forest environment found on a plateau on the southwest part of Bylot Island, in the Canadian Arctic. The objectives were 1) to describe the chrono-stratigraphy of the site; 2) to establish a list and the succession of different pollen taxa found in organic and inorganic fossil units of the site; 3) to estimate their age and 4) to infer the past climatic conditions of the site. Several stratigraphic cuts were excavated and sampled for stratigraphic, paleomagnetic and pollen analyses. Also, a differential GPS was used to characterise the stratigraphic units associated with the organic fossil units at a small and large scale. Results of the granulometric analysis suggest the following deposition sequence starting from a depression in the bedrock (tertiary shale): 1) a glacial diamicton with local clasts; 2) a silty sediment of glacio-lacustrine origin; 3) an organic peat unit; 4) an alluvial type unit; 5) a fluvio-glacial sediment and 6) a glacial diamicton of allochtone origin. The pollen analyses suggest vegetation similar to that of the current tree-line limit, situated about 2000 km south of the site. The climatic conditions were warmer and more humid, allowing the local growth of pines (Pinus type strobus and banksiana), spruce (Picea cf. mariana), alder (Alnus type crispa and incana) and larch (Larix, undifferentiated). Paleomagnetic analyses and the presence of extinct species finally suggest an age for the organic fossil deposits of between 2,14 and 2,15 My or most likely between 2,581 and 3,040 My.