A brief review of the subject of palaeomagnetism as it affects the study of the behaviour of the earth's magnetic field and the problems of Continental Drift and Polar wander is presented, giving the reasons why a systematic palaeomagnetic study of the Cape and Karroo Systems of South Africa would be of outstanding significance. This task was vigorously tackled by sampling the Karroo System at vertical intervals of approximately 50 ft. in two separate areas, using the techniques that were then available. The results, although negative, provide material for a discussion of the possible reasons for the scattered directions of magnetization of the samples. A palaeomagnetic study of the Karroo dolerites was undertaken in an attempt to (i) determine 1 the position of the geomagnetic pole at the time of the intrusions, and (ii) possibly assess the importance of the remagnetization of Karroo sediments by the thermal effects of the younger intrusions. Samples from surface exposures in the eastern half of South Africa, from the shafts of a gold mine and from a railway tunnel were collected and studied, giving a reliable mean direction of magnetization of the Karroo dolerites of Declination= 341°, Inclination= -60°. At the commencement of the Jurassic period the geomagnetic pole relative to Southern Africa had the present day co-ordinates of Longitude 74½ 0 E, Latitude 70° S. Both normally and reversely magnetized dolerites were found and evidence in favour of a true reversal of the earthts magnetic field is advanced. It is also suggested that in the area studied, the dolerite was intruded in two distinct phases. Because the direction of magnetization of the Karroo dolerites is very close to that of the present magnetic field, it is difficult to separate samples remagnetized at the time of the intrusions from those remagnetized in the present field. However, some light is thrown on the problem of the scattered directions of magnetization of the Karroo sediments by the fact that dolerite samples collected from surface exposures are much less consistently magnetized than those from underground workings.

The spins of planetary bodies are not stagnant; they evolve in response to both external and internal forces. One way a planet's spin can change is through true polar wander. True polar wander is the reorientation of a planetary body with respect to its angular momentum vector, and occurs when mass is redistributed within the body, changing its principal axes of inertia. True polar wander can literally reshape a world, and has important implications for a variety of processes—from the long-term stability of polar volatiles in the permanently shadowed regions of airless worlds like the Moon and Mercury, to the global tectonic patterns of icy worlds like Pluto. In this dissertation, we investigate three specific instances of planetary true polar wander, and their associated consequences. In Chapter 2 we investigate the classic problem of the Moon's dynamical figure. By considering the effects of a fossil figure supported by an elastic lithosphere, and the contribution of impact basins to the figure, we find that the lunar figure is consistent with the Moon's lithosphere freezing in when the Moon was much closer to the Earth, on a low eccentricity synchronous orbit. The South Pole-Aitken impact basin is the single largest perturbation to the Moon’s figure and resulted in tens of degrees of true polar wander after its formation. In Chapter 3 we continue our analyses of the lunar figure in light of the discovery of a lunar ”volatile" paleopole, preserved in the distribution of hydrogen near the Moon's poles. We find that the formation and evolution of the Procellarum KREEP Terrain significantly altered the Moon’s orientation, implying that some fraction of the Moon’s polar volatiles are ancient—predating the geologic activity within the Procellarum region. In Chapter 4 we investigate how the formation of the giant, basin-filling glacier, Sputnik Planitia reoriented Pluto. This reorientation is recorded in both the present- day location of Sputnik Planitia (near the Pluto-Charon tidal axis), and the tectonic record of Pluto. This reorientation likely reflects a coupling between Pluto’s volatile cycles and rotational dynamics, and may be active on other worlds with comparably large, mobile volatile reservoirs. Finally, in Chapter 5 we consider the broader context of these studies, and touch on future investigations of true polar wander on Mercury, Venus, Mars, Vesta, Ceres, and other worlds in our solar system.

No description available.

An anorogenic magmatism covered a large part (1.500.000 km2) of the Amazonian craton at ca. 1880 Ma and defined a Silicic Large Igneous Province (SLIP) called the Uatumã event. The aim of this work is to study the paleomagnetism and petrology of these rocks to define the space-time framework of the Uatumã event and to try to elucidate the Amazonian craton evolution during the Columbia supercontinent amalgamation. Two regions were selected in the southwestern Amazonian craton (Pará) for sampling: (1) The Tucumã area where 16 felsic dikes, 7 mafic dikes, a gabbroic dike and 3 sites of the Archean basement were collected, and (2) the São Felix do Xingu area where, 7 sites of rhyolitic lava flows, 2 sites of ignimbrites, a felsic dike and a volcanic breccia belonging to the Santa Rosa Formation were sampled, and also 6 sites of the Sobreiro Formation (volcanoclastic rocks, andesitic) and one felsic dike of the Velho Guilherme Suite were collected. Petrology of the felsic dikes of Tucumã (1880.9 ± 6.7 Ma U-Pb zrn) showed that they represent the dike swarm associated with the Santa Rosa volcanic Formation. The remanent magnetization of the felsic dikes is carried by PSD magnetite and hematite. This hematite is syn- to post magmatic derived from hydrothermal fluids. Magnetic mineralogy can be used as a proxy to quantify the hydrothermal alteration. AF, thermal, LTD + AF and LTD + thermal demagnetizations show a northwest direction with a positive inclination (component A), whose site mean directions gives a paleomagnetic pole located at 52.9°S, 76.4°E, A95= 10.4 °, K= 13.52). However, this component seems to represent a remagnetization, probabily occurred at Neoproterozoic times. Another magnetic component (named component B) was also isolated for these rocks, and it was associated to a Mesozoic regional remagnetization related to the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). Yet, a third southwestern direction with low positive inclination (component C) was also isolated for some sites. This component was interpreted to be related with the ca. 1760 Ma Velho Guilherme magmatic intrusion. The best paleomagnetic results were obtained in the São Felix do Xingu area. Two new primary paleomagnetic poles have been determined: (i) SF1 pole (319.7°E, 24.7°S, N= 10; A95= 16.9 °) was obtained for andesites and rhyolites dated to 1877.4 ± 4.3 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICPMS), and its primary origin is confirmed by an inverse baked contact test (> 1853 Ma). Petrography shows that the magnetic mineralogy of this component is hematite formed by hydrothermal fluids syn- to post magmatic. (Ii) SF2 pole (220.1°E, 31.1°N, N= 15 ° A95= 9.7 °) was determined by the remanent magnetization of the felsic dike of the Velho Guilherme Suite but also as secondary magnetizations in samples of the Santa Rosa and Sobreiro Formations. An age of 1853.7 ± 6.2 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICPMS) is calculated for the felsic dike carrying SF2, whose primary origin is confirmed by a positive baked contact test. The SF1 and SF2 poles have a significant difference in angular distance, for a time interval of only ~25 Ma. Similar coeval paleomagnetic discrepancies were observed for other cratons (India, Superior (Laurentia), Slave (Laurentia), Kalahari, Baltica and Siberia), which can be explained by a True Polar Wander (TPW) event at ca. 1880 1860 Ma. This period is marked by a high mantle activity, which results in the amalgamation of the Columbia supercontinent, formed at ca. 1850 1800 Ma. Amalgamation of supercontinent may cause the formation of superplume and thermal insulation which can disturb mass distribution in mantle and alter the inertial gravity tensor of the Earth. A True Polar Wander (TPW) event may thus have taken place, which will move the cratons and the superplumes towards the equator. These conditions may be related to a reorganization of the whole mantle following a global magmatic quiescence between 2400 and 2200 Ma. / Um grande magmatismo intraplaca cobriu várias áreas (1.500.000 km2) do Cráton Amazônico há 1880 Ma, o qual define uma grande província ígnea (SLIP) chamada coletivamente de \"evento Uatumã\". O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o paleomagnetismo e a petrologia dessas rochas para definir o contexto espaço-temporal do evento Uatumã e a posição do cráton Amazônico dentro do Supercontinente Columbia. Duas áreas de estudo foram escolhidas para a amostragem, localizadas no sudoeste do cráton Amazônico (Pará): (1) A região de Tucumã, onde 16 diques félsicos, 7 diques máficos, um dique de gabro e 3 sítios da granodioritos do embasamento Arqueano foram coletadas. (2) A região de São Felix do Xingu, onde 7 sitios de lavas riolíticas, 2 sitios de ignimbritos, um dique felsico e um de brechas vulcânicas da Formação Santa Rosa foram amostrados. Seis sitios da Formação Sobreiro (rochas vulcanoclásticas andesíticas) e um dique felsico da Suite Velho Guilherme foram também coletados. O estudo petrológico em amostras dos diques felsicos de Tucumã (1880.9 ± 6.7 Ma U-Pb zrn) mostra que eles representam um sistema de siques associado à Formação vulcânica Santa Rosa. A magnetização remanente dos diques felsicos é portada por magnetita PSD e hematita. A hematita é sin- a pós-magmática e a mineralogia magnética pode ser usada para quantificar esta alteração hidrothermal. Desmagnetizações AF, térmica, LTD + AF e LTD + térmica mostram uma componente característica com direção noroeste e inclinação positiva (Componente A) para amostras de 16 sítios, cuja direção média é Dm= 330.5, Im= 27.9 (N= 16, 95= 11.4, R= 14.7, k= 11.47). O pólo paleomagnético calculado com a média dos PGVs está localizado em 52.9°S, 76.4°E (A95= 10.4°, K= 13.52). Entretanto, esta componente parece ser decorrente de uma remagnetização, provavelmente ocorrida durante o final do Neoproterozoico. Outra componente (chamada de Componente B) foi também isolada para estas rochas, a qual foi associada a uma remagnetização regional ocorrida durante a formação da Província Magmática do Atlântico Central (PMAC). Ainda, uma Terceira componente (C), representada por direções sudoeste e inclinações positivas baixas foi isolada para amostras de alguns sítios. Esta componente foi interpretada como sendo relacionada ao evento magmático da Suíte Intrusiva Velho Guilherme com idade de ~1860 Ma. Os melhores resultados, entretanto, foram obtidos para a região de São Felix do Xingu. Dois novos polos paleomagnéticos, considerados de origem primária, foram encontrados para o Craton Amazônico: O polo SF1 (319.7°E; 24.7°S; N= 10; A95= 16.9°) foi obtido para rochas félsicas e andesíticas, as quais foram datadas em 1877.4 ± 4.3 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICP-MS), sendo que sua origem primária é embasada em um teste de contato cozido inverso. A investigação petrográfica mostra que o portador magnético desta componente é atribuído à hematita, formada por processos hidrotermais tardi- a pós-magmáticos. O polo SF2 (220.1°E; 31.1°S; N= 15; A95= 9.7°) foi determinado para a componente de magnetização revelada para o dique da Suíte Velho Guilherme, Esta componente é também encontrada como componente secundária em amostras das formações Santa Rosa e Sobreiro, além de algumas amostras de sítios coletados na região de Tucumã (Componente C). Uma idade de 1853.7 ± 6.2 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICP-MS) foi atribuída à componente SF2 e sua origem primária é confirmada pelo teste de contato cozido positivo realizado para este dique. Os polos SF1 e SF2 são bem discrepantes, embora a diferença de idade destes polos seja de apenas 25 Ma. Resultados similares têm sido obtidos para polos de mesma idade de outros blocos cratônicos (India, Superior (Laurentia), Slave (Laurentia), Kalahari, Baltica e Sibéria), os quais podem ser explicados por um evento de deriva polar verdadeira (DPV) ocorrido nesta época, em decorrência de uma reorganização do Manto. Esta época (1880 Ma) é marcada por uma alta atividade do Manto, a qual culminou com a formação do Supercontinente Columbia, por volta de 1850 1800 Ma. A formação de superplumas e o isolamento térmico causado pela consequente formação do Columbia podem ter sido causas de perturbações de densidades que alteraram o tensor inercial da Terra e, consequentemente, um evento de DPV pode ter deslocado os continente e as superplumas para a região do equador. Estas condições podem estar ligadas a uma inteira reorganização mantélica que seguiu um período de pouca atividade magmática, ocorrido entre 2400 e 2200 Ma.

Un volumineux magmatisme anorogénique a recouvert une large partie (1.500.000 km2) du craton Amazonien à 1880 Ma et définit une province magmatique felsique qu'on appelle l'événement Uatumã. L'objectif de ce travail est d'étudier le paléomagnétisme ainsi que la pétrologie de ces roches afin de préciser le cadre spatio-temporel de cet événement et de définir la place du craton Amazonien au sein du Supercontinent Columbia. Deux régions d'études localisées dans le sud-ouest du craton Amazonien (Pará) ont permis de collecter les échantillons nécessaires : (1) la région de Tucumã où 16 filons felsiques, 7 filons mafiques, un filon gabbroïque et 3 sites du socle archéen ont été collectés. (2) la région de São Felix do Xingu où on a échantillonné 7 sites de laves rhyolitiques, 2 sites d'ignimbrites, un filon felsique et un site de brèches volcaniques qui appartiennent à la formation Santa Rosa. 6 sites de la formation Sobreiro (roches volcanoclastiques andésitiques) ainsi qu'un filon felsique de la suite Velho Guilherme ont aussi été collectés. Un des résultats majeurs de la pétrologie des filons felsiques de Tucumã (1880.9 ± 6.7 Ma U-Pb sur zircon) a été de montrer qu'ils représentent le système filonien associé à la formation volcanique Santa Rosa. L'aimantation rémanente des filons felsiques est portée par la magnétite et l'hématite. Cette hématite est syn- à post-magmatique et sa formation, à partir des fluides hydrothermaux, peut être quantifiée grâce certaines propriétés magnétiques. Les désaimantations (en champ alternatif, thermiques) montrent une composante A caractéristique de direction nord-ouest avec une inclinaison positive dont la moyenne par site donne un pôle paléomagnétique localisé à 52.9°S, 76.4°E (A95= 10.4°, K= 13.52). Une réaimantation régionale mésozoïque en relation avec les filons de la CAMP (Central Atlantic Magmatic Province) est observée dans cette région. Les meilleurs résultats paléomagnétiques ont été obtenus dans la région de São Felix de Xingu. Deux nouveaux pôles paléomagnétiques primaires, ont été déterminés: (i) Le pôle SF1 (319.7°E, 24.7°S, N= 10; A95= 16.9°) est obtenu pour des andésites et des rhyolites datés à 1877.4 ± 4.3 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICPMS), son origine primaire est confirmée par un test de contact inverse (> 1853 Ma). La pétrographie montre que la minéralogie magnétique de cette composante est l'hématite formée par des fluides hydrothermaux syn- à post-magmatiques. (ii) Le pole SF2 (220.1°E, 31.1°N, N= 15; A95= 9.7°) est déterminé par l'aimantation rémanente du filon felsique de la Suite Velho Guilherme, mais aussi par l'aimantation secondaire dans les échantillons de la formation Santa Rosa et Sobreiro. Un âge de 1853.7 ± 6.2 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICPMS) est calculé pour le filon felsique portant SF2, dont l'origine primaire est confirmée par un test de contact positif. Les pôles SF1 et SF2 sont très différents, malgré une différence d'âge de seulement ~25 Ma. Des résultats paléomagnétiques similaires ont été obtenus pour les pôles de même âge dans d'autres cratons (Inde, Supérieur (Laurentia), Slave (Laurentia), Kalahari, Baltica et Sibérie), et peuvent être expliqués par un événement de Vrai Dérive Polaire (VDP). Cette époque (~1880 Ma) est marquée par une forte activité du manteau, qui aboutit à la formation du Supercontinent Columbia, autour de 1850 - 1800 Ma. La formation de superpanaches est une conséquence possible de l'assemblage du supercontinent et de l'effet d'isolation thermique du manteau qui en résulte, ou bien lui est concomitante. Les superpanaches peuvent provoquer des perturbations de densité modifiant le tenseur inertiel de gravité de la Terre. Un rapide événement de Vrai Dérive Polaire (VDP) peut ainsi avoir eu lieu, ce qui va déplacer rapidement les continents et les superpanaches vers l'équateur. Ces événements peuvent être liés à une réorganisation du manteau dans son ensemble à la suite d'une période de faible activité magmatique entre 2400 et 2200 Ma. / An anorogenic magmatism covered a large part (1.500.000 km2) of the Amazonian craton at ca. 1880 Ma and defined a Silicic Large Igneous Province (SLIP) called the Uatumã event. The aim of this work is to study the paleomagnetism and petrology of these rocks to define the space-time framework of the Uatumã event and to try to elucidate the Amazonian craton evolution during the Columbia supercontinent amalgamation. Two regions were selected in the southwestern Amazonian craton (Pará) for sampling: (1) The Tucumã area where 16 felsic dikes, 7 mafic dikes, a gabbroic dike and 3 sites of the Archean basement were collected, and (2) the São Felix do Xingu area where, 7 sites of rhyolitic lava flows, 2 sites of ignimbrites, a felsic dike and a volcanic breccia belonging to the Santa Rosa Formation were sampled, and also 6 sites of the Sobreiro Formation (volcanoclastic rocks, andesitic) and one felsic dike of the Velho Guilherme Suite were collected. Petrology of the felsic dikes of Tucumã (1880.9 ± 6.7 Ma U-Pb zrn) showed that they represent the dike swarm associated with the Santa Rosa volcanic Formation. The remanent magnetization of the felsic dikes is carried by PSD magnetite and hematite. This hematite is syn- to post magmatic derived from hydrothermal fluids. Magnetic mineralogy can be used as a proxy to quantify the hydrothermal alteration. AF, thermal, LTD + AF and LTD + thermal demagnetizations show a northwest direction with a positive inclination (component A), whose site mean directions gives a paleomagnetic pole located at 52.9°S, 76.4°E, A95= 10.4 °, K= 13.52). However, this component seems to represent a remagnetization, probabily occurred at Neoproterozoic times. Another magnetic component (named component B) was also isolated for these rocks, and it was associated to a Mesozoic regional remagnetization related to the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). Yet, a third southwestern direction with low positive inclination (component C) was also isolated for some sites. This component was interpreted to be related with the ca. 1760 Ma Velho Guilherme magmatic intrusion. The best paleomagnetic results were obtained in the São Felix do Xingu area. Two new primary paleomagnetic poles have been determined: (i) SF1 pole (319.7°E, 24.7°S, N= 10; A95= 16.9 °) was obtained for andesites and rhyolites dated to 1877.4 ± 4.3 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICPMS), and its primary origin is confirmed by an inverse baked contact test (> 1853 Ma). Petrography shows that the magnetic mineralogy of this component is hematite formed by hydrothermal fluids syn- to post magmatic. (Ii) SF2 pole (220.1°E, 31.1°N, N= 15 ° A95= 9.7 °) was determined by the remanent magnetization of the felsic dike of the Velho Guilherme Suite but also as secondary magnetizations in samples of the Santa Rosa and Sobreiro Formations. An age of 1853.7 ± 6.2 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICPMS) is calculated for the felsic dike carrying SF2, whose primary origin is confirmed by a positive baked contact test. The SF1 and SF2 poles have a significant difference in angular distance, for a time interval of only ~25 Ma. Similar coeval paleomagnetic discrepancies were observed for other cratons (India, Superior (Laurentia), Slave (Laurentia), Kalahari, Baltica and Siberia), which can be explained by a True Polar Wander (TPW) event at ca. 1880 - 1860 Ma. This period is marked by a high mantle activity, which results in the amalgamation of the Columbia supercontinent, formed at ca. 1850 - 1800 Ma. Amalgamation of supercontinent may cause the formation of superplume and thermal insulation which can disturb mass distribution in mantle and alter the inertial gravity tensor of the Earth. A True Polar Wander (TPW) event may thus have taken place, which will move the cratons and the superplumes towards the equator. These conditions may be related to a reorganization of the whole mantle following a global magmatic quiescence between 2400 and 2200 Ma.

Within this dissertation, I document how—and hypothesize why—the quirks and qualities of the Cambrian Period demarcate this interval as fundamentally different from the preceding Proterozoic Eon and succeeding periods of the Phanerozoic Eon. To begin, I focus on the anomalous marine deposition of the mineral apatite. Sedimentary sequestration of phosphorus modulates the capacity for marine primary productivity and, thus, the redox state of the Earth system. Moreover, sedimentary apatite minerals may entomb and replicate skeletal and soft-tissue organisms, creating key aspects of the fossil record from which paleontologists deduce the trajectory of animal evolution. I ask what geochemical redox regime promoted the delivery of phosphorus to Cambrian seafloors and conclude that, for the case of the Thorntonia Limestone, apatite nucleation occurred under anoxic, ferruginous subsurface water masses. Moreover, I infer that phosphorus bound to iron minerals precipitated from the water column and organic-bound phosphorus were both important sources of phosphorus to the seafloor. Petrographic observations allow me to reconstruct the early diagenetic pathways that decoupled phosphorus from these delivery shuttles and promoted the precipitation of apatite within the skeletons of small animals. Together, mechanistic understandings of phosphorus delivery to, and retention within, seafloor sediment allow us to constrain hypotheses for the fleeting occurrence of widespread apatite deposition and exquisite fossil preservation within Cambrian sedimentary successions. Next, I describe and quantify the nature of carbonate production on a marine platform deposited at the hypothesized peak of Cambrian skeletal carbonate production. I find that fossils represent conspicuous, but volumetrically subordinate components of early Cambrian carbonate reef ecosystems and that despite the evolution of mineralized skeletons, Cambrian carbonate platforms appear similar to their Neoproterozoic counterparts, primarily reflecting abiotic and microbial deposition. Finally, I investigate the geodynamic mechanism responsible for rapid, oscillatory true polar wander (TPW) events proposed for the Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic Earth on the basis of paleomagnetic data. Using geodynamic models, I demonstrate that elastic strength in the lithosphere and stable excess ellipticity of Earth’s figure provided sufficient stabilization to return the pole to its original state subsequent to convectively-driven TPW. / Earth and Planetary Sciences

An anorogenic magmatism covered a large part (1.500.000 km2) of the Amazonian craton at ca. 1880 Ma and defined a Silicic Large Igneous Province (SLIP) called the Uatumã event. The aim of this work is to study the paleomagnetism and petrology of these rocks to define the space-time framework of the Uatumã event and to try to elucidate the Amazonian craton evolution during the Columbia supercontinent amalgamation. Two regions were selected in the southwestern Amazonian craton (Pará) for sampling: (1) The Tucumã area where 16 felsic dikes, 7 mafic dikes, a gabbroic dike and 3 sites of the Archean basement were collected, and (2) the São Felix do Xingu area where, 7 sites of rhyolitic lava flows, 2 sites of ignimbrites, a felsic dike and a volcanic breccia belonging to the Santa Rosa Formation were sampled, and also 6 sites of the Sobreiro Formation (volcanoclastic rocks, andesitic) and one felsic dike of the Velho Guilherme Suite were collected. Petrology of the felsic dikes of Tucumã (1880.9 ± 6.7 Ma U-Pb zrn) showed that they represent the dike swarm associated with the Santa Rosa volcanic Formation. The remanent magnetization of the felsic dikes is carried by PSD magnetite and hematite. This hematite is syn- to post magmatic derived from hydrothermal fluids. Magnetic mineralogy can be used as a proxy to quantify the hydrothermal alteration. AF, thermal, LTD + AF and LTD + thermal demagnetizations show a northwest direction with a positive inclination (component A), whose site mean directions gives a paleomagnetic pole located at 52.9°S, 76.4°E, A95= 10.4 °, K= 13.52). However, this component seems to represent a remagnetization, probabily occurred at Neoproterozoic times. Another magnetic component (named component B) was also isolated for these rocks, and it was associated to a Mesozoic regional remagnetization related to the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). Yet, a third southwestern direction with low positive inclination (component C) was also isolated for some sites. This component was interpreted to be related with the ca. 1760 Ma Velho Guilherme magmatic intrusion. The best paleomagnetic results were obtained in the São Felix do Xingu area. Two new primary paleomagnetic poles have been determined: (i) SF1 pole (319.7°E, 24.7°S, N= 10; A95= 16.9 °) was obtained for andesites and rhyolites dated to 1877.4 ± 4.3 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICPMS), and its primary origin is confirmed by an inverse baked contact test (> 1853 Ma). Petrography shows that the magnetic mineralogy of this component is hematite formed by hydrothermal fluids syn- to post magmatic. (Ii) SF2 pole (220.1°E, 31.1°N, N= 15 ° A95= 9.7 °) was determined by the remanent magnetization of the felsic dike of the Velho Guilherme Suite but also as secondary magnetizations in samples of the Santa Rosa and Sobreiro Formations. An age of 1853.7 ± 6.2 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICPMS) is calculated for the felsic dike carrying SF2, whose primary origin is confirmed by a positive baked contact test. The SF1 and SF2 poles have a significant difference in angular distance, for a time interval of only ~25 Ma. Similar coeval paleomagnetic discrepancies were observed for other cratons (India, Superior (Laurentia), Slave (Laurentia), Kalahari, Baltica and Siberia), which can be explained by a True Polar Wander (TPW) event at ca. 1880 1860 Ma. This period is marked by a high mantle activity, which results in the amalgamation of the Columbia supercontinent, formed at ca. 1850 1800 Ma. Amalgamation of supercontinent may cause the formation of superplume and thermal insulation which can disturb mass distribution in mantle and alter the inertial gravity tensor of the Earth. A True Polar Wander (TPW) event may thus have taken place, which will move the cratons and the superplumes towards the equator. These conditions may be related to a reorganization of the whole mantle following a global magmatic quiescence between 2400 and 2200 Ma. / Um grande magmatismo intraplaca cobriu várias áreas (1.500.000 km2) do Cráton Amazônico há 1880 Ma, o qual define uma grande província ígnea (SLIP) chamada coletivamente de \"evento Uatumã\". O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o paleomagnetismo e a petrologia dessas rochas para definir o contexto espaço-temporal do evento Uatumã e a posição do cráton Amazônico dentro do Supercontinente Columbia. Duas áreas de estudo foram escolhidas para a amostragem, localizadas no sudoeste do cráton Amazônico (Pará): (1) A região de Tucumã, onde 16 diques félsicos, 7 diques máficos, um dique de gabro e 3 sítios da granodioritos do embasamento Arqueano foram coletadas. (2) A região de São Felix do Xingu, onde 7 sitios de lavas riolíticas, 2 sitios de ignimbritos, um dique felsico e um de brechas vulcânicas da Formação Santa Rosa foram amostrados. Seis sitios da Formação Sobreiro (rochas vulcanoclásticas andesíticas) e um dique felsico da Suite Velho Guilherme foram também coletados. O estudo petrológico em amostras dos diques felsicos de Tucumã (1880.9 ± 6.7 Ma U-Pb zrn) mostra que eles representam um sistema de siques associado à Formação vulcânica Santa Rosa. A magnetização remanente dos diques felsicos é portada por magnetita PSD e hematita. A hematita é sin- a pós-magmática e a mineralogia magnética pode ser usada para quantificar esta alteração hidrothermal. Desmagnetizações AF, térmica, LTD + AF e LTD + térmica mostram uma componente característica com direção noroeste e inclinação positiva (Componente A) para amostras de 16 sítios, cuja direção média é Dm= 330.5, Im= 27.9 (N= 16, 95= 11.4, R= 14.7, k= 11.47). O pólo paleomagnético calculado com a média dos PGVs está localizado em 52.9°S, 76.4°E (A95= 10.4°, K= 13.52). Entretanto, esta componente parece ser decorrente de uma remagnetização, provavelmente ocorrida durante o final do Neoproterozoico. Outra componente (chamada de Componente B) foi também isolada para estas rochas, a qual foi associada a uma remagnetização regional ocorrida durante a formação da Província Magmática do Atlântico Central (PMAC). Ainda, uma Terceira componente (C), representada por direções sudoeste e inclinações positivas baixas foi isolada para amostras de alguns sítios. Esta componente foi interpretada como sendo relacionada ao evento magmático da Suíte Intrusiva Velho Guilherme com idade de ~1860 Ma. Os melhores resultados, entretanto, foram obtidos para a região de São Felix do Xingu. Dois novos polos paleomagnéticos, considerados de origem primária, foram encontrados para o Craton Amazônico: O polo SF1 (319.7°E; 24.7°S; N= 10; A95= 16.9°) foi obtido para rochas félsicas e andesíticas, as quais foram datadas em 1877.4 ± 4.3 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICP-MS), sendo que sua origem primária é embasada em um teste de contato cozido inverso. A investigação petrográfica mostra que o portador magnético desta componente é atribuído à hematita, formada por processos hidrotermais tardi- a pós-magmáticos. O polo SF2 (220.1°E; 31.1°S; N= 15; A95= 9.7°) foi determinado para a componente de magnetização revelada para o dique da Suíte Velho Guilherme, Esta componente é também encontrada como componente secundária em amostras das formações Santa Rosa e Sobreiro, além de algumas amostras de sítios coletados na região de Tucumã (Componente C). Uma idade de 1853.7 ± 6.2 Ma (U-Pb zrn, LA-ICP-MS) foi atribuída à componente SF2 e sua origem primária é confirmada pelo teste de contato cozido positivo realizado para este dique. Os polos SF1 e SF2 são bem discrepantes, embora a diferença de idade destes polos seja de apenas 25 Ma. Resultados similares têm sido obtidos para polos de mesma idade de outros blocos cratônicos (India, Superior (Laurentia), Slave (Laurentia), Kalahari, Baltica e Sibéria), os quais podem ser explicados por um evento de deriva polar verdadeira (DPV) ocorrido nesta época, em decorrência de uma reorganização do Manto. Esta época (1880 Ma) é marcada por uma alta atividade do Manto, a qual culminou com a formação do Supercontinente Columbia, por volta de 1850 1800 Ma. A formação de superplumas e o isolamento térmico causado pela consequente formação do Columbia podem ter sido causas de perturbações de densidades que alteraram o tensor inercial da Terra e, consequentemente, um evento de DPV pode ter deslocado os continente e as superplumas para a região do equador. Estas condições podem estar ligadas a uma inteira reorganização mantélica que seguiu um período de pouca atividade magmática, ocorrido entre 2400 e 2200 Ma.

This thesis focuses on the long-term rotational stability of the Earth and terrestrial planets. One important class of perturbation is a reorientation of the solid planet with respect to a rotation pole that remains fixed in an inertial frame. These motions are driven by mass redistribution within or on the surface of the planet (e.g. glaciation, mantle convective flow). Long-term changes in the orientation of the rotation pole are called True Polar Wander (TPW). / Earth and Planetary Sciences

L'évolution de certains corps planétaires fait intervenir de manière couplée la dynamique interne et la dynamique de rotation. La convection solide, qui façonne le champ de température et donc la rhéologie visqueuse, contrôle la dissipation visqueuse du forçage de marée qui intervient sur l'évolution de l'orbite et la période de rotation. En retour, la dissipation de marée induit une composante de chauffage pour l'évolution thermique. A travers l'étude de trois corps, Mercure, Mars et Japet, je montre l'intérêt de cette formulation couplée de l'évolution. La dissipation de marée a joué un rôle important dans les premiers temps de l'évolution de Mercure (contribution au budget de chaleur, ralentissement de la rotation). L'étude couplée indique que l'orientation des escarpements lobés observés à la surface de Mercure peut être héritée de cette interaction. L'évolution du noyau issue de cette étude préserve une partie liquide à l'heure actuelle qui autorise une origine comparable à la dynamo terrestre pour le champ magnétique de Mercure. La différence importante entre les rayons équatorial et polaire de Japet peut être comprise comme une forme fossile héritée d'une époque où la période de rotation fut plus rapide et l'intérieur plus chaud. Ce scénario n'est possible que si les éléments radioactifs abondent dans les premiers instants de l'évolution de Japet. Mars ne présente en revanche aucune interaction de marée notable mais l'influence de la dynamique interne sur l'orientation de la rotation est invoquée pour expliquer les positions relatives du dôme de Tharsis et de la dichotomie hémisphérique. J'introduis un formalisme qui permet de mieux tester cette hypothèse.