Cette thèse a pour sujet l'étude du régolithe développé sur les massifs ultrabasiques de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Dès l'Oligocène, la Nappe des Péridotites est soumise à l'altération supergène sous climat tropical humide. Le manteau d'altération (régolithe) qui se développe est le siège de phénomènes géologiques dont l'un des plus remarquables estl'enrichissement des teneurs en Ni et Co. Ce régolithe très particulier, que constituent les profils latéritiques sur rochesultrabasiques, a été largement étudié par le passé, surtout pour son intérêt économique. Une synthèse des connaissances a été réalisée. De nombreuses données acquises durant cette thèse permettent de mieux cerner l'évolution minéralogique, géochimique et géologique des profils d'altération. Un apport important sur la connaissance des saprolites fines (oulatérites), peu étudiées, a été réalisé. La cartographie des formations ultrabasiques et de leur manteau d'altération (1/ 50000) s'appuie sur des observations de terrain classiques, et fait appel à la géomorphologie, l'analyse structurale, l'altérologie, l'hydrogéologie, etc. Afin d'améliorer la couverture cartographique sur des zones difficiles d'accès, de nouveaux outils ont été évalués. Le premier outil, la télédetection hyperspectrale, a permis avec succès de cartographier des zones de sols nus, mais aussi de réaliser des cartes minéralogiques ayant un intérêt pour la prospection minière (carte de répartition des oxy-hydroxydes de fer, carte du taux de serpentinisation). La deuxième méthode utilise quant à elle la spectrométrie gamma au sol, pour cartographier le cortège d'intrusif de l'ophiolite. L'âge de formation des manteaux d'altération reste difficile à établir. Le recours à une méthode de datation par paléomagnétisme a permis pour la première fois d' attribuer un âge aux cuirasses sommitales des profil s. Les âges les plus anciens obtenus (25 Ma) montrent que l'altération a débuté dès l'Oligocène supérieur à Thiébaghi et Goro, aux deux extrémités de la Grande Terre, mais qu'elle s'est interrompue à Thiébagi et qu'elle s'est pours uivie jusqu'à la période actuelle dans le Sud du Massif du Sud (Goro). L'étude pétrographique et paléomagnétique des cuirasses des klippes de la côte ouest montrent la difficulté de retrouver des témoins de la surface oligocène sur ces massifs. Les observations géomorphologiques témoignent d'un démantèlement avancé de ces massifs sous l'effet de mouvements verticaux importants. Une vision globale des évènements« post-abduction » peut-être proposée par l'étude complémentaire des (i) sédiments post-abd uction [Népoui principalement) et des (ii) granitoïdes oligocènes. En effet, la découverte récente d'un calcaire d'âge Miocène inférieur sous le conglomérat de Pindaï (Groupe de Népoui) permet de réévaluer précisément l'âge de dépôt de ce conglomérat torrentiel, constitué principalement d'éléments des profils d'altération oligocènes. L'âge obtenu est très proche de de celui du granite de Koum ayant subi une exhumation rapide (données traces de fissions sur apatite). L'ensemble des donnéesconvergent vers une cause tectonique plutôt qu'eustatique pour expliquer les mouvements verticaux importants responsables de la géomorphologie actuelle de la Ride de Norfolk. La rupture de la plaque plongeante, responsable de l'abduction, a permis la mise en place du granitoïde de Koum et le soulèvement de la Ride, à la faveur de l'ouverture d'une fenêtre asthénosphérique permettant la remontée de manteau.Le taux de surrection différent entre le Nord et le Sud de la Grande Terre est responsable de la configuration actuelle des massifs de péridotite. Dans le Nord du Massif duSud, la côte ouest et le Nord, les massifs sont montagneux et les gisements de nickel sont de type silicaté saprolitique (quelques plateaux présentent des latérites). Dans l'extrémité méridionale du Massif du Sud, les paysages sont des bassins et les gisements de nickel sont du type oxydé latéritique. / This work deals with regolith development on ultramafic rocks in New Caledonia. From the Oligocene on, the peridotite Nappe is subject to supergene weathering under wet tropical climate. The weathering mantle (regolith) that develops, led to geological phenomena of which the most remarkable are economie concentrations of Ni and Co. This particular regolith developed on ultramafic rocks, has been extensively studied in the past, especially for its economie interest. A lmowledge synthesis is presented. Data acquired during this work helps identifying the mineralogical, geochemical and geologicalevolution of weathering profiles. An important contribution to the knowledge of the Jess known fine saprolite (or laterite), has been done. Mapping ultramafic units and their weathering mantle (1/50, 000) is based on usual field observations, geomorphology, structural analysis, alterology, hydrogeology, etc. To improve mapping in remote areas, new tools were assessed. The first tool, hyperspectral remote sensing, has been successful used on areas of bare sail, but also to performmineralogical mapping having an interest in mineral exploration (mapping of distribution of iron oxy-hydroxides and of serpentinisation grade). The second method used is the gamma spectrometry to map the late-intrusive dyke network of the ophiolite. The age of formation of the regolith remains difficult to establish. The use of an indirect method by paleomagnetic dating allows for the first time to assign an age to the top-most ferricrete of the weathering profiles. The oldest age obtained (25 Ma) shows that weathering began during Late Oligocene at Thiébaghi and Goro, at both ends of the Grande Terre, butceased at Thiébagi while continuing up to the present period in the south of Massif du Sud (Goro). The paleomagnetic and petrographie study of ferricretes from the West Coast klippen, show the difficulty of finding remnants of the Oligocene surface on these units. Geomorphological observations show evidences of an early dismantling of the regolith onthese units due to large vertical movements. An overview of "post-abduction" events may be proposed by the further study of (i) post-abduction Oligocene sediments (Népoui series) and (ii) Late Oligocene granitoids. The recent discovery of an Early Miocene limestone unit of younger age below the Pindaï conglomerate (Népoui Group) allows to reassess precisely the time of deposition of this torrential conglomerate, consisting mainly of Oligocene regolith elements. Age obtained is very close to that of the Koum granite that has undergone a rapid exhumation (new apatite fission tracks data). A tectonic rather than eustatic cause explains better the large vertical movements responsible for the present geomorphology of the Norfolk Ridge. Slab break off of the overridden plate, responsible for the abduction, allowed the intrusion of Koum granitoid and the uplift of the ridge, du ring the opening of an asthenospheric window. The different rate of uplift between the North and the South of Grande Terre is responsible for the present configuration of peridotite massifs. In the northern part of Massif du Sud, the West Coast and the North of Grande Terre, the ultramafic units are in a mountainous context and nickel deposits are of the saproiite silicate type (a few plateaus have also laterite deposits). In the southern part of Massif du Sud, in a context of basins, nickel deposits are of the oxide lateritic type.

A l’échelle continentale, la Cordillère des Andes présente d’importantes courbures. Une des plus importantes est la Courbure de la Patagonie, où le cours de l’orogène et de ses principales provinces tectoniques pivotent de près de 90°, passant d’une orientation N-S à 50°C à une orientation E-O en Terre de Feu. Malgré son importance, l’origine de la Courbure de la Patagonie et son implication dans les reconstructions paléogéographiques demeurent sujet à controverse: est-elle le résultat d’un plissement oroclinal, ou bien une caractéristique héritée? C’est dans ce contexte que j’ai réalisé une étude paléomagnétique et de susceptibilité d'anisotropie magnétique dans la région des Andes Australes. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que la partie intérieure de cette courbure soit une caractéristique secondaire liée à l’évolution de la Péninsule Antarctique. / At the continental scale, the Andes presents significant curvatures. One of the largest is the curvature of Patagonia, where the orogen and its main tectonic provinces are rotated about 90 ° from an NS direction at 50 ° to an EO orientation in Tierra del Fuego. Despite its importance, the origin of the curvature of Patagonia and its involvement in paleogeographic reconstructions remain controversial: is the result of an oroclinal bending, or an inherited characteristic? It is in this context that I made a paleomagnetic and magnetic susceptibility anisotropy in the Austral Andes region. The results suggest that the inner part of the bend is a secondary feature linked to the evolution of the Antarctic Peninsula.In this thesis, I will present the results of a paleomagnetic and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) study of 146 sites sampled between 50 ° S and 55.5 ° S (85 sites in marine sedimentary rocks of the Cretaceous-Miocene of the Magallanes fold and thrust belt; 20 sites in sedimentary and volcanic rocks south of Cordillera Darwin, 41 sites in intrusive rocks of the Cretaceous-Eocene batholith. The AMS results in the sediments show that the magnetic fabric is controlled by tectonic processes, partially or completely obliterating the sedimentary fabric. In general, there is a good correlation between the orientation of the magnetic lineation and that of the fold axes except at Peninsula Brunswick. The wide variation in the orientation of magnetic fabrics within the batholith suggests an emplacement of intrusive without tectonic constraint. Paleomagnetic results obtained in Navarino Island and Hardy Peninsula, south of the Beagle Channel, show a post-tectonic remagnetization recording a counterclockwise rotation of more than 90 ° as that recorded by the intrusive rocks older than ~ 90Ma. The Upper Cretaceous to Eocene intrusive rocks record counterclockwise rotations of lower magnitude (45 ° -30 °). In contrast, the Magallanes fold and thrust belt mainly developed between the Eocene and Oligocene records little or no rotation. Spatial and temporal variations of tectonic rotations determined in this study support a model of deformation of the Austral Andes in two steps. The first step corresponds to the rotation of a volcanic arc by closing a marginal basin (the Rocas Verdes basin) and formation of Cordillera Darwin. During the propagation of deformation in the foreland, the curvature acquired by the Pacific border of the Austral Andes is accentuated by about 30 °. The tectonic reconstructions using the most recent Global Plate Tectonic model show the essential role of the convergence between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America in the formation of Patagonian orocline during the Late Cretaceous to the Eocene.

<p>Детаљним теренским и лабораторијским истраживањима четири најважнија лесно-палеоземљишна профила у нашој земљи: Батајница &ndash; Дунав, Стари Сланкамен &ndash; Чот, Рума &ndash; циглана и три профила на Тителском лесном платоу, обухваћено је преко 160 mпрофила, а прикупљено је и лабораторијски обрађено преко 3.500 узорака, што до сада представља најобимније и најдетаљније истраживање лесно-палеоземљишних секвенци (ЛПС) у нашој земљи. Дат је детаљан литолошки и педолошки опис ЛПС, које су формиране у различитим палеогеографским условима. На основу резултата палеомагнетских истраживања која су обављена у две независне лабораторије и на два сета спесимена, прецизно је дефинисан положај последње пуне геомагнетне реверзије (бринес/матујама) која се одиграла пре 778 хиљада година. У исто време она представља званични границу између доњег и средњег плеистоцена. На основу позиције ове границе у доњем делу лесног хоризонта V-L9, формирана је нова интерпретација постојећег хроностратиграфског модела. Истраживањима особина стенског магнетизма, коришћењем параметара магнетне сусцептибилности и магнетне сусцептибилности зависне од фреквенце, формирана је јасна слика о палеоклиматским условима који су постојали током формирања слојева леса и образовања серије фосилних земљишта. Транзиција од екосистема суптропског појаса завршног дела доњег плеистоцена и почетног дела средњег плеистоцена, преко шума умереног појаса током средњег дела средњег плеистоцена, ка степским палеоземљиштима у каснијим периодима плеистоцена, јасно је осликана у типовима фосилних земљишта.</p> / <p>Detaljnim terenskim i laboratorijskim istraživanjima četiri najvažnija lesno-paleozemljišna profila u našoj zemlji: Batajnica &ndash; Dunav, Stari Slankamen &ndash; Čot, Ruma &ndash; ciglana i tri profila na Titelskom lesnom platou, obuhvaćeno je preko 160 mprofila, a prikupljeno je i laboratorijski obrađeno preko 3.500 uzoraka, što do sada predstavlja najobimnije i najdetaljnije istraživanje lesno-paleozemljišnih sekvenci (LPS) u našoj zemlji. Dat je detaljan litološki i pedološki opis LPS, koje su formirane u različitim paleogeografskim uslovima. Na osnovu rezultata paleomagnetskih istraživanja koja su obavljena u dve nezavisne laboratorije i na dva seta spesimena, precizno je definisan položaj poslednje pune geomagnetne reverzije (brines/matujama) koja se odigrala pre 778 hiljada godina. U isto vreme ona predstavlja zvanični granicu između donjeg i srednjeg pleistocena. Na osnovu pozicije ove granice u donjem delu lesnog horizonta V-L9, formirana je nova interpretacija postojećeg hronostratigrafskog modela. Istraživanjima osobina stenskog magnetizma, korišćenjem parametara magnetne susceptibilnosti i magnetne susceptibilnosti zavisne od frekvence, formirana je jasna slika o paleoklimatskim uslovima koji su postojali tokom formiranja slojeva lesa i obrazovanja serije fosilnih zemljišta. Tranzicija od ekosistema suptropskog pojasa završnog dela donjeg pleistocena i početnog dela srednjeg pleistocena, preko šuma umerenog pojasa tokom srednjeg dela srednjeg pleistocena, ka stepskim paleozemljištima u kasnijim periodima pleistocena, jasno je oslikana u tipovima fosilnih zemljišta.</p> / <p>Detailed field and laboratory studies of four major loess-paleosol sequences in our country: Batajnica - Danube, Stari Slankamen - Čot, Ruma - brickyard and three sub-profiles on the Titel loess plateau, is covered by over 160 m of sections and collected and laboratory analyzed over 3,500 samples, which so far is the most comprehensive and most detailed research of loess-paleosol sequences (LPS) in our country. A detail description of the lithological and pedological LPS, which are formed in different paleogeographical conditions, was presented. Based on the results of palaeomagnetic experiments which ware performed in two independent laboratories and on the two sets of specimen, the position of Matuyama/Brunhes boundary whics took place 778 ka, was precisely defined. At the same time it is the official boundary between the Lower and Middle Pleistocene. Based on the position of this magnetic reversal in the lower part of loess horizons V-L9, a new interpretation of existing chronostratigraphic models was formed. Investigation of the rock magnetism properties, using the magnetic susceptibility and frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility, a clear picture of the palaeoclimate conditions that existed during the formation of layers of LPS was formed. The transition from the subtropical zone ecosystems of the final part of the Lower Pleistocene and the initial portion of the Middle Pleistocene, through forests of temperate belt during the middle part of the Middle Pleistocene, to the steppe paleosol in the later periods of the Pleistocene, is reconstructed according different soil types.</p>

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Au cours des dernières décennies, les observations de glace de glacier enfouie exposée dans les falaises côtières et les glissements de terrain causés par le dégel du pergélisol arctique démontrent que des quantités importantes de glace de glacier ont survécu à la déglaciation et sont toujours préservées dans le pergélisol. Le premier volet de cette étude visait à caractériser des expositions de la glace massive observée à l’île Bylot, au Nunavut, afin de connaitre l’origine de la glace. Puisque la glace de glacier enfouie peut jouer un rôle important dans l’évolution des paysages périglaciaires, cette thèse s’intéresse également au rôle joué par la glace de glacier enfouie dans l'initiation et l’évolution de lacs de thermokarst. Nos résultats démontrent que le pergélisol de l'île Bylot contient des restes de glace de glacier du Pléistocène qui ont survécu aux dernières déglaciations. Dans la vallée Qarlikturvik, des masses de glace intraglaciaire (dérivée du névé) sont associées à un courant de glace de l’inlandsis laurentidien qui recouvrait une partie de la plaine sud de l’île vers la fin du Pléistocène. Cette masse de glace formait une zone de convergence avec les glaciers alpins locaux s'écoulant de la calotte glaciaire centrée sur les monts Byam Martin. Sur l’un des plateaux bordant la vallée Qarlikturvik, une masse de glace de glacier enfouie est associée à la partie basale d'un glacier dont l’âge minimal est estimé à environ 0.77 Ma, mais pourrait être aussi vieux que 2.6 Ma. En raison de sa localisation, à environ 500 m d’altitude, la glace proviendrait vraisemblablement d’une avancée glaciaire régionale et pourrait être associée à la Glaciation de Baffin, soit la plus vieille avancée glaciaire régionale reconnue sur l'île Bylot. De plus, cette glace représente le plus vieux reste de glacier connu en Amérique du Nord et l’une des premières indications de glaciations dans l’est de l’Arctique canadien. La persistance et la fonte tardive de ces épaisses couches de glace de glacier datant du Pléistocène ont eu des effets importants sur le paysage de l'île Bylot, notamment sur les lacs. En effet, nos résultats démontrent que l'initiation des lacs profonds (> 5 m) est liée à la fonte de la glace de glacier enfouie. Ces lacs de thermokarst glaciaire continueront d’évoluer dans un contexte périglaciaire par la fonte de la glace intrasédimentaire (p. ex., glace de ségrégation) et des coins de glace formés ultérieurement dans les sédiments encaissants lors de l’aggradation du pergélisol suivant le retrait glaciaire. Alors qu’une grande partie des paysages arctiques est encore fortement déterminée par leur héritage glaciaire, la fonte de ces masses de glace aura un impact important sur la dynamique des géosystèmes et écosystèmes arctiques. / Over the past decades, observations of buried glacier ice exposed in coastal bluffs and headwalls of retrogressive thaw slumps of the Arctic have indicated that considerable amounts of late Pleistocene glacier ice survived the deglaciation and are still preserved in permafrost. The first phase of this project aimed to characterize two exposures of massive ice observed on Bylot Island (Nunavut) to infer their origins. Since buried glacier ice can play a significant role in reshaping periglacial landscapes, this study also investigates the initiation and development of thermokarst lakes in a tundra valley in response to the melting of buried glacier ice. Our results show that the permafrost of Bylot Island contains remnants of Pleistocene glacier ice that survived the past deglaciations. In the Qarlikturvik valley, bodies of englacial ice (firn-derived) originated from an ice stream flowing from the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which covered part of the southern plain of the island towards the end of the Pleistocene. These glacier ice bodies formed a convergence zone with local alpine glaciers flowing from the ice cap centred over the Byam Martin Mountains. On the edge of a flat plateau bordering the Qarlikturvik Valley, a buried glacier ice body is associated with the basal part of a glacier whose minimum age is estimated at 0.77 Ma, but could be as old as 2.6 Ma. Due to its location on a 500-m a.s.l. plateau, the ice likely originates from a regional glacial advance and could be associated with the Baffin Glaciation, which is the oldest known glaciation on Bylot Island. In addition, this buried glacier ice represents the oldest glacier ice preserved in ice-free Arctic landscapes, and the earliest evidence of a Pleistocene glaciation in the eastern Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The persistence and delayed melting of these thick beds of buried Pleistocene glacier ice had wide-ranging effects on the landscape of Bylot Island. Our results suggest that the initiation of deeper thermokarst lakes (> 5 m) was triggered by the melting of buried glacier ice in our study area, while shallow thermokarst lakes were triggered from the melting of intrasedimental ice and ice wedges. These glacial thermokarst lakes will continue to evolve in a periglacial context through the melting of intrasedimental ice (e.g. segregation ice) and ice wedges subsequently formed in the surrounding sediments during permafrost aggradation following the glacial retreat. As most of the glaciated Arctic landscapes are still strongly determined by their glacial legacy, the melting of these large ice bodies will have significant impacts on Arctic ecosystems and geosystems.

Mgr. Petr Schnabl - Dissertation Paleomagnetism and magnetomineralogy of rocks from the Bohemian Massif and Tethyan Realm Abstract The thesis deals with paleomagnetic and rock magnetic properties of Silurian/Devonian and Jurassic/Cretaceous limestones, Paleogene/Neogene basaltic rocks and altered Silurian basalts. The main goal is to determine the history of the Earths' magnetic field from the Silurian to the present. Two lithostratigraphic formations are defined in the Jičín volcanic field on the basis of volcanology, paleomagnetism and radiometric dating. The Trosky Formation (24.6?/18.3 - 15.7 Ma) is composed of several Strombolian-type volcanoes, while the Kozákov Formation (5.2 - 4.6 Ma) is represented by effusive products with a crater vent of a single giant volcano. One Pliocene (4.3-3.3 Ma) and two Pleistocene phases (2.6 -2.1 Ma and 1.8 - 1.1 Ma) of volcanic activity Magnetostratigraphy is a very important tool for the definition of the J/K boundary. The boundary between the Crassicolaria and Calpionella zones is present within geopolarity zone M19n. The boundary between the ammonite zones Jacobi and Durangites also lies close to this point. Paleomagnetic directions of Silurian and Devonian rocks in the Bohemian Massif are very difficult to interpret and have been studied as a challenging problem...

Développer une échelle de temps à haute résolution temporelle et commune aux différentes archives climatiques est une étape importante afin de quantifier avec précision les rapides variations climatiques passées et pour les placer dans un cadre chronologique unifié facilitant leurs inter-comparaisons et la quantification d’éventuels déphasages entre évènements, marqueurs ou archives climatiques.Le champ magnétique terrestre (CMT) regroupe l’ensemble des caractéristiques désirées pour développer un tel outil chronostratigraphique (expression dipolaire globale à la surface du globe, enregistrement dans diverses archives, variations en intensité indépendantes des variables climatiques). Bien que porteurs d’enregistrements continus, les sédiments ne donnent accès qu’aux variations relatives d’intensité du CMT. De plus, quand leur échelle de temps ne peut plus être placée sur celle des glaces polaires, elle est généralement obtenue par forçage orbital. Les laves, émises sporadiquement, enregistrent l’intensité absolue du CMT et sont datables par méthodes ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar et K-Ar (indépendantes des variables climatiques). Elles fournissent ainsi des couples âge-paléointensité (A-PI) permettant de calibrer les enregistrements sédimentaires et de les transférer sur des échelles de temps et d’intensité absolues. L’échelle de temps ainsi obtenue est par la suite transférable à diverses archives climatiques. Cette étude se focalise sur les derniers 200 ka. Les laves étudiées proviennent des jeunes volcans d’Ardèche et des phases récentes du volcanisme canarien. Les laves ardéchoises ont délivré des résultats de paléointensité non exploitables et des incertitudes trop importantes sur les âges. Aucun couple A-PI pertinent n’a donc été obtenu. Cependant, nos résultats géochronologiques démontrent l’importance de combiner les 2 méthodes de datation K-Ar et ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar pour tester l’exactitude et la signification géologique des âges obtenus. Pour ces laves, porteuses d’indices de contamination crustale et mantellique, nous suggérons que l’excès d’argon est situé dans des sites de rétention basses températures (<600°C). Les âges ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar obtenus, apparemment non affectés par l’excès d’argon, décomposent l’activité volcanique en 3 phases : 1 au Nord (180±30 ka) et 2 au Sud (31±4 ka et 24±8 ka).Les laves canariennes ont produit 14 nouveaux couples A-PI (dont 9 datés conjointement en K-Ar et ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar). Ces données ont été combinées à celles disponibles et triées de manière à ne garder que celles issues de protocoles d’analyses robustes et suffisamment précises. Les 51 données retenues ont été comparées aux courbes sédimentaires disponibles afin d’obtenir de nouvelles contraintes temporelles sur 0-200 ka. Sur 0-80 ka, les données confirment la bonne calibration de GLOPIS-75 initialement basée le minimum d’intensité de l’excursion du Laschamp et sur l’évolution du CMT entre 20 et 10 ka. En particulier, 3 de nos données réparties entre 45 et 60 ka sont cohérentes avec l’évolution du signal magnétique présentée par GLOPIS-75, complétant ainsi le jeu de contraintes sur cet intervalle. De 80 à 140 ka, les données retenues, bien qu’ayant des incertitudes temporelles parfois importantes, sont cohérentes avec les courbes sédimentaires validant ainsi leur niveau moyen de calibration sur cette période. Ces données confirment également la baisse d’intensité lors de l’épisode ancien du Blake à 120 ka, baisse d’intensité bien documentée par PISO-1500 mais très lissée sur SINT-2000. Avant 140 ka, les données sédimentaires et volcaniques disponibles sont trop incohérentes : aucune calibration n’a donc été entreprise sur cette période. Enfin, 2 données produites suggèrent un évènement géomagnétique bref vers 155 ka. Un tel événement n’est pas observé dans les courbes sédimentaires globales et les modèles disponibles vers 155 ka mais quelques études individuelles mentionnent localement un évènement géomagnétique vers 150 ka (Autriche, Russie et Mer de Chine). / The understanding of climatic mechanisms and rapid climate changes requires a high-resolution, robust, and precise timescale which allows long-distance and multi-archives correlations.An appropriate tool to construct such a timescale is provided by the Earth magnetic field (EMF). The EMF is independent from climatic variations and its past evolution, global at the surface of the Earth, is recorded by most of the geological/climatic archives. Sedimentary sequences provide continuous records of relative intensities of the EMF on timescales usually based on ice core age models or orbital tuning. Lavas, though discontinuously emitted through time, record the absolute intensity of the EMF during their cooling at the surface of the Earth. Lavas are dated using 2 complementary methods: ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and K-Ar, both independent from climatic parameters. Lavas have therefore the potential to deliver tie-points (age-paleointensity couples) enabling the time calibration of sedimentary sequences and their transfer onto absolute intensity scale and chronological time scale. This timescale can then be transferred to other climatic archives. The present study focusses on the last 200 ka with lavas sampled from young volcanoes of Ardèche (South Massif Central, France) and recent phases of volcanism in the Canary Islands.Lava flows from Ardèche provided unexploitable paleointensity results and ages with large uncertainties. Therefore, they failed to provide suitable tie-points. However, our geochronological results evidence how crucial the combination of both the K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar methods is to test the accuracy and geological meaning of the ages. Ardèche lavas have abundant mantellic and crustal xenoliths, potential carriers of excess ⁴⁰Ar*. Our study suggests that the argon excess is located in sites that decrepitate at low temperature (<600°C). Because ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages are not affected by excess ⁴⁰Ar*, they provide reliable results. The new age dataset indicates that the volcanic activity of Ardèche can be divided in 3 phases: the oldest one (180±30 ka) took place in the northern part of the studied area and 2 younger phases are expressed in the South (31±4 ka and 24±8 ka).The study of the Canarian lavas produced 14 tie-points (9 out of 14 dated combining K-Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar results). These data have been added to the available ones for the same time period. The published data have been selected on the basis of robust analytical protocols and accuracy. The 51 data finally selected are compared to available sedimentary stacks. Over the last 80 ka, the volcanic data corroborate the calibration of GLOPIS-75, initially based on volcanic and archeomagnetic data between 10-20 ka and the low intensity observed in the Laschamp excursion. Three newly produced data, dated between 45 and 60 ka, extend the database initially used to older periods and they are also consistent with the initial calibration of GLOPIS-75. Between 80 and 140 ka, though volcanic data have significant uncertainties (in age and/or paleointensity), they are consistent with available sedimentary records and validate their calibration level on the long-term. At a shorter time scale, volcanic data corroborate the intensity low reached during the older phase of the Blake excursion (120 ka) by PISO-1500, whereas this low does not appear in SINT-2000. For ages older than 140 ka, not only the volcanic data are scattered, but also the sedimentary records are different from one another and no conclusions could be drawn. Finally, 2 of our data suggest a brief geomagnetic event around 155 ka. Such an event cannot be seen on available global sedimentary stacks or models, even though some individual studies report a local geomagnetic event around 150 ka (Austria, Russia, and China Sea).

Na América do Sul, o Cráton Amazônico representa um componente essencial nas reconstruções de supercontinentes, entretanto, há uma grande escassez de dados paleomagnéticos de qualidade para esta unidade geotectônica, principalmente, para o Proterozóico. Com o intuito de esclarecer a participação do Cráton Amazônico na evolução do ciclo continental, este trabalho apresenta um estudo paleomagnético realizado em quatro unidades geológicas Paleo- a Mesoproterozóicas pertencentes ao Cráton Amazônico. As unidades escolhidas para este estudo foram às rochas vulcânicas do Grupo Surumu (1980-1960 Ma, U-Pb), as soleiras máficas Avanavero (ca. 1780 Ma, U-Pb) ambas situadas no norte do Estado de Roraima (Escudo das Guianas), os enxames de diques Nova Guarita e a intrusiva máfica Guadalupe ambas localizadas no norte do Estado do Mato Grosso (Escudo Brasil-Central). Determinações 40Ar/39Ar realizadas em biotitas de quatro diques de Nova Guarita mostraram resultados coerentes, fornecendo uma idade média de 1418,5 ± 3,5 Ma para a época de intrusão dos diques. Idades U-Pb obtidas em rochas da intrusiva máfica Guadalupe indicam uma idade mínima de 1530 Ma para estas amostras. As análises paleomagnéticas realizadas em mais de 1100 espécimes de rocha através dos tratamentos térmicos e por campos magnéticos alternados revelaram direções características coerentes para as quatro unidades de rochas estudadas: (1) as rochas do Grupo Surumu apresentaram direções noroeste com inclinações positivas. Foi calculada uma direção média Dm = 298,6°, Im = 39,4° (N = 20, alfa95 = 10,1°, K = 11,4), a qual foi interpretada como sendo de origem primária; (2) as rochas máficas Avanavero apresentaram direções sudeste com inclinações positivas/negativas baixas, sendo determinada uma direção média Dm = 135,6°, Im = -2,1° (N = 10, alfa95 = 15,9°, K = 10,2°). Um teste de contato cozido realizado para um dos sítios amostrados atesta o caráter primário da magnetização remanente isolada, a qual foi adquirida pelas rochas há ca.1780 Ma atrás; (3) os diques máficos Nova Guarita apresentaram polaridades reversas e normais, tendo sido isoladas direções sul/sudoeste com inclinações positivas e nordeste com inclinações negativas. Um teste de contato cozido positivo foi obtido para um dique que intrude o Granito Matupá, o qual confirma que a magnetização remanente (Dm = 220,5°, Im = 45,9°, N = 19, alfa95 = 6,5°, K = 27,7) isolada para estas rochas corresponde a uma magnetização termorremanente adquirida durante a formação da rocha há ca. 1419 Ma atrás; (4) rochas pertencentes a Intrusiva Máfica Guadalupe também apresentaram polaridades reversas e normais. Direções noroeste/nordeste com inclinações positivas ou sul/sudeste com inclinações negativas foram isoladas para estas rochas, para as quais foi calculada a direção média Dm = 356,6°, Im = 59,4°, (N = 10, alfa95 = 10,2°, K = 23,2). A idade desta componente, entretanto, ainda não está bem estabelecida, podendo representar uma remagnetização adquirida durante o evento Brasiliano, já que ela é similar às magnetizações adquiridas há 520 Ma, presentes em formações geológicas do Cráton Amazônico e do Cráton do São Francisco. A caracterização da mineralogia magnética de todas as amostras investigadas foi obtida através de curvas termomagnéticas, curvas de histerese e curvas de magnetização remanente isotérmica. Quatro pólos paleomagnéticos para o Cráton Amazônico foram determinados para estas componentes, os quais estão localizados em 234,8° E, 27,4°N (A95=9,8°) (pólo GS, Grupo Surumu), 27,5°E, -45,8°N (A95=11,5°) (pólo AV, Avanavero), 245,9°E, -47,9°N (A95=7,0°) (pólo NG, Nova Guarita) e 306,2°E, 38,9°N (A95=13,7°) (pólo GUA, Guadalupe). Os resultados paleomagnéticos obtidos para as rochas Surumu (pólo GS) contribuíram para um melhor ajuste da curva de deriva polar aparente (CDPA) para o Escudo das Guianas durante o Paleoproterozóico (2070-1960 Ma). A comparação desta CDPA com a construída para o Cráton Oeste-África para o mesmo período de tempo sugere que estes blocos cratônicos estavam unidos há 1970-2000 Ma atrás, em uma paleogeografia em que as zonas de cisalhamento Guri, no Escudo das Guianas, e Sassandra, no Cráton Oeste-África estavam alinhadas como sugerido em modelos anteriores. O pólo Avanavero de 1780 Ma é consistente com a paleogeografia do supercontinente Columbia em que o proto-Cráton Amazônico e a Báltica estavam unidos como no modelo SAMBA (South America-Baltica) proposto anteriormente com base em evidências geológicas. No cenário proposto aqui para o Supercontinente Columbia há 1780 Ma atrás, o Cráton Oeste-África estava unido ao proto-Cráton Amazônico na mesma configuração sugerida pelos dados paleomagnéticos de 1790-2000 Ma. O atual lado leste da Laurentia estava unido ao norte (atual) da Báltica. A Sibéria estava unida com a atual costa Ártica da Laurentia e a proto-Austrália, com a atual costa oeste da Laurentia, em posição similar ao modelo SWEAT. Embora os dados paleomagnéticos disponíveis para o Cráton Norte da China e Índia indiquem paleolatitudes equatorias para estes dois blocos, nesta época, suas posições no supercontinente Columbia são ainda incertas. No modelo do Columbia apresentado neste trabalho, o Norte da China foi colocado ao lado da Sibéria e a Índia, ao lado da proto-Austrália, em decorrência de evidências geológicas. Outros blocos cratônicos, tais como, Congo-São Francisco, Kalahari e Rio de La Plata não foram incluídos, pela ausência de pólos paleomagnéticos desta idade. Os dados paleomagnéticos atualmente existentes para a Báltica e a Laurentia mostram que estes dois blocos continentais permaneceram unidos desde 1830 Ma até, pelo menos, 1270 Ma atrás. Já o pólo paleomagnético obtido para os diques Nova Guarita de 1419 Ma e o pólo de mesma idade, recentemente obtido para a Intrusiva Indiavaí, quando comparados com pólos de mesma idade da Báltica e da Laurentia, sugerem que o proto-Craton Amazônico já havia iniciado sua ruptura no Supercontinente Columbia nessa época. De modo alternativo, porém, essa diferença na posição dos pólos do proto-Cráton Amazônico e da Báltica/Laurentia, pode ser explicada por movimentos transcorrentes dextrais que teriam ocorrido entre o Escudo das Guianas e a parte sul do Cráton Amazônico em tempos posteriores a 1420 Ma. Neste caso, esta grande massa continental do Supercontinente Columbia, composta pelo proto-Cráton Amazônico, Báltica e Laurentia, pode ter permanecida unida por, pelo menos, 400 Ma. / The Amazonian Craton is an important component in Paleoproterozoic reconstructions, however, paleomagnetic data for this craton are yet scarce. Aiming to decipher the involvement of the Amazonian Craton in the Contiental cycle evolution, paleomagnetic studies were carried out in four Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic geological units. The chosen units are the volcanic rocks from the Surumu Group (1,980-1,960 Ma, U-Pb), the Avanavero mafic sills (ca. 1,780 Ma, U-Pb), both from the northern Roraima State (Guyana Shield), and the Nova Guarita dyke swarm and Guadalupe mafic intrusive, both from the northern Mato Grosso State (Central- Brazil Shield). 40Ar/39Ar determinations on biotites from samples belonging to four Nova Guarita dykes yielded well-defined plateau ages whose mean 1,418.5 ± 3.5 Ma is interpreted as the age of dyke intrusion. U-Pb (SHRIMP) determinations on rocks from the Guadalupe mafic Intrusive indicate a minimum age of 1,530 Ma for this unit. Paleomagnetic analysis performed on more than 1,100 specimens by thermal and alternating magnetic field (AF) treatments revealed stable characteristic remanent magnetizions (ChRM) for all geological units: (1) northwestern directions with positive inclinations were isolated for samples from the Surumu Group (mean: Dm = 298.6°, Im = 39.4°, N = 20, alpha95 = 10.1°, K = 11.4), which were interpreted to be primary. (2) Southeastern directions with low downward/upward inclinations were isolated for the Avanavero rocks, for which a mean direction was calculated: Dm=135.6°, Im = -2.1° (N=10, alpha95 = 15.9°, K = 10.2°). A positive baked contact test attests for the primary origin of this ChRM direction, which was probably acquired at about 1,780 Ma ago; (3) both south/southwestern directions with downward inclinations or northeastern directions with upward inclinations were isolated for the Nova Guarita dykes. A positive baked contact test attests for the primary nature of the ChRM directions (Dm = 220.5°, Im = 45.9°, N=19, alpha95=6.5°, K = 27.7) which most probably correspond to a termo-remanent magnetization (TRM) acquired at ca. 1,419 Ma ago; 10 (4) both northwest/northeastern directions with downward inclinations or outhsoutheastern directions with upward inclinations were isolated for rocks from the Guadalupe intrusive, whose mean direction is: Dm=356.6°, Im=59.4°, (N =10, alpha95=10.2°, K = 23.2). The age of this component is yet uncertain. U-Pb geochronology suggests an age of (or older than) 1,530 Ma for these rocks, however, a remagnetization effect at Cambrian times (520 Ma) cannot be rolled out as these directions are very similar to those found for younger geological units in the Amazonian Craton and Sao Francisco Craton. Four new paleomagnetic poles for the Amazonian Craton were obtained from these magnetic components, which are located at: 234.8°E, 27.4°N (A95=9.8°) (GS pole, Surumu Group), 27.5°E, 45.8°S (A95=11.5°) (AV pole, Avanavero), 245.9°E, 47.9°S (A95=7.0°) (NG pole, Nova Guarita) and 306.2°E, 38.9°N (A95 = 13.7°) (GUA pole, Guadalupe). The 1,960 Ma Surumu pole contributes to better define the APW path traced for the Guyana Shield in the time interval between 2,070 Ma and 1,960 Ma. Comparison of this APW path with that traced for West-Africa Craton for the same time interval suggests that these two cratonic blocks were linked together, in a paleogeography where the Guri (Guyana Shield) and Sassandra (West-Africa Craton) shear zones are aligned, as suggested by previous models. The Avanavero pole is consistent with the proto-Amazonian Craton and Baltica link as in the SAMBA (South America-Baltica) model at ca. 1,780 Ma ago, as previously proposed based on geological evidence. In the scenario proposed here for the Columbia Supercontinent at 1,780 Ma ago, the West-Africa Craton was linked to the proto-Amazonian Craton in the same configuration as suggested by Paleoproterozoic (1,960-2,000 Ma) paleomagnetic data (see above). Actual eastern Laurentia was linked to northern Baltica. Siberia was located at the actual Arctic Coast of Laurentia, and proto-Australia at the western coast of Laurentia, in a position similar to that of SWEAT model. Although available 1,780 Ma paleomagnetic data from North China and India indicate low paleolatitudes for these two blocks, their positions in the supercontinent Columbia are yet uncertain. In our model, North China is located beside Siberia, and India beside proto-Australia, based on geological evidences. Other cratonic blocks, such as Congo-Sao Francisco, Kalahari and Rio de la Plata were not included as no 1,780 Ma paleomagnetic poles are presently available for them. The paleomagnetic poles presently available for Baltica and Laurentia, show that these two blocks remained as a single continental mass since 1,830 Ma up to at least 1,270 Ma. However, the 1,419 Ma Nova Guarita pole and the recently published 1,416 Ma Indiavai pole from the Amazonian Craton, when compared with poles of similar age from Baltica and Laurentia suggest that the proto-Amazonian Craton had already broke-up from the Columbia Supercontinent at that time. Alternatively, the difference in the position of the 1,420 Ma poles from the proto-Amazonian Craton and those from Baltica/Laurentia, may be explained by dextral transcurrent movements between the Guyana Shield and the southern part of the Amazonian Craton at times later than 1,420 Ma. If so, this great continental mass, formed by proto-Amazonian Craton, Baltica and Laurentia may have remained as a single continental block for at least 400 Ma.