La convergence oblique entre les plaques Caraïbes et Amérique du Sud à partir de l'Oligocène a conduit à la formation de la cordillère « Serranía del Interior » (SDI) et de son avant pays au sud (bassin de Maturín) et la ceinture plissée de Monagas. D’abord transpressif (direction NW-SE), le déplacement entre les deux plaques devient à compter de ~12 Ma principalement une translation O-E qui s’accommode principalement sur la faille d’El Pilar. Cependant, des indices de compression active ont été identifiés à la terminaison de la faille d'Urica dans la chaine plissée de Monagas. Pour discuter des mécanismes de cette déformation compressive actuelle, nous avons mis en œuvre une interprétation sismique (2D et 3D), une étude géomorphologique et une étude paléomagnétique. Depuis le front sud de la SDI dans la chaîne plissée de Monagas, l'interprétation sismique et l’analyse géomorphologique se sont concentrées sur les chevauchements de San Félix, Tarragona, Punta de Mata, Jusepín et Amarilis. Deux discordances miocènes (Mid-Miocene Unconformity (MMU) de ~10 Ma et Late Miocene Unconformity (LMU) de ~5,3 Ma) ont été cartographiées sur la sismique. En s’appuyant sur la LMU, il a été calculé à l’aplomb de ces accidents un taux de soulèvement plio-pléistocène de ~0,4 mm/a. Invisibles sur la sismique, des déformations ont aussi été observées en surface sur ces accidents (des terrasses fluviatiles basculées, plissées et faillées et des anomalies de drainage). Datées par des méthodes cosmonucléides (10Be et 26Al), l’âge des terrasses alluviales déformées sont compris entre ~90 ka sur le chevauchement de Tarragona et ~15 ka dans la zone de Punta de Mata. Un taux minimal de soulèvement pléistocène terminal à l’aplomb des chevauchements a été calculé entre 0,1 et 0,6 mm/a. Cette gamme de vitesse recouvre celle renvoyée par la LMU et montre que la déformation n'a pas varié significativement pendant les derniers 5,3 Ma. Ces observations montrent que les chevauchements de Tarragona, Pirital El Furrial et d’autres plus jeunes développés dans la formation Carapita restent actifs. Cette déformation superficielle s’estompe rapidement vers l’est près de la ville Maturín. Nous interprétons cette déformation comme liée au jeu récent de la faille d'Urica qui se termine au sud en queue de cheval. La faille d’Urica accommoderait donc une partie du déplacement entre plaques Caraïbe et Amérique du Sud. Une étude paléomagnétique a été réalisée dans les blocs de Caripe et Bergatín au sein de la SDI où 27 localités ont été échantillonnées dans les sédiments du Crétacé au Paléocène. Une observation clé de cette étude a été la mise en évidence d'une composante paléomagnétique stable déviée vers le Nord Est avec des polarités normale et inverse. Les analyses statistiques de ces composantes indiquent une acquisition postérieure au plissement de la SDI (< ~12 Ma). La déclinaison moyenne dans les blocs de Caripe et de Bergatín indique une rotation horaire de R=37º±4 º autour d’un axe vertical. Le taux de rotation post-Miocene moyen avoisine ~3.7º/Ma et reste probablement actif. Nous proposons de rattacher cette rotation horaire à un système de failles type "Riedel" (Urica et San Francisco) en relation avec la faille d’El Pilar. / In Northeastern Venezuela, the tectonic provinces of the Serranía Del Interior thrust belt (high hills), the Monagas Thrust belt (foothills) and the Maturín foreland basin formed as a result of the oblique convergence between the Caribbean and South American plates since the Oligocene. GPS data show that post 12 My wrenching component between the plates is accommodated predominantly by the E-W strike-slip El Pilar Fault. However, evidence of active compression has been identified in the southern limit of the NW-SE dextral Urica Fault, specifically, in the Monagas Fold and Thrust Belt. In order to constrain the neotectonics of this area, this thesis presents a combined approach, which includes geomorphological study, seismic and paleomagnetism. In the Monagas Fold and Thrust Belt, the geomorphological study and the seismic interpretation were focused on five zones. From the foothills to the deformation front, these zones are: San Felix, Tarragona, Punta de Mata, Jusepín and Amarilis. These areas show surface deformations such as topographic uplifts, tilted terraces, folded terraces, faulted terraces, and drainage anomalies. The dating of the river terraces through 10Be and 26Al methods indicates that these terraces formed in the Late Pleistocene. The oldest terrace located in the Tarragona zone has a maximum exposure age of ~90 ky and the youngest located in the Punta de Mata zone of ~15 ky. From this dating, a minimum vertical deformation rate between ~0.6-0.1 mm/y was calculated for this area. Using the seismic interpretation of a 3D block, the surfaces of two unconformities (MMU and LMU) have been mapped. The age obtained for the LMU (~5.3 My), yield a Plio-Pleistocene uplift rate between ~0.3-0.4 mm/y, which is close to the vertical deformation rate calculated from the terraces dated. These similar rates seem to indicate that the deformation rate in the MFTB has not changed significantly for the last 5.3 My. The deformed surfaces observed in the field and in DEM images coincide vertically with the deep structures interpreted in the seismic lines. I propose that the deformation on the surface is linked to the Tarragona, Pirital, Furrial thrusts and the Amarilis Backthrust activity and to the youngest thrusts developed in the Carapita Formation. However, this surface deformation dies out near the city of Maturín, therefore, the neotectonic deformation is inferred to be caused by local tectonics. I propose that this local compressive deformation could have been generated by a horsetail termination in the southern limit of the Urica Fault which reactivated the oldest thrusts (Tarragona and Pirital thrusts) and deformed the post-Middle Miocene units until reaching the surface. In the zones where the El Pilar Fault mainly accommodates the wrenching component, block rotation is likely. For that reason, a paleomagnetic study was conducted in the Caripe and Bergatín blocks of the Serranía Del Interior where 27 sites were sampled in Cretaceous to Paleocene sediments. Statistics analyses of the components yield a negative bedding-tilt test, indicating that this component was acquired post ~12 My after the folding process in the Serranía del interior. The average declination indicates a clockwise block rotation of R = 37º ± 4º and a post-Middle Miocene rotation rate of ~3.7º/My in both the Caripe and Bergatín blocks. This rotation rate is probably still active. I propose to relate the regional clockwise rotation to the development of a synthetic Riedel shear system formed by the El Pilar Fault (master regional fault) and by the Urica and San Francisco synthetic Riedel shears.

El text del Capítol 3 ha estat retirat seguint instruccions de l’autor de la tesi, en existir participació d’empreses, existir conveni de confidencialitat o existeix la possibilitat de generar patents / The text of Chapter 3 has been withdrawn on the instructions of the author, as there is participation of undertakings, confidentiality agreement or the ability to generate patent / The Bicorb-Quesa salt wall is located on the external Prebetics, an excellent natural laboratory to observe the diapir evolution because of their excellent outcrops. This area, located on the limit between the Iberian Massif, the Betic Range and the Valencian Trough; preserves the deformation caused by four deformation stages: two extensional and two extensive phases. The complexity and changing geometry of the salt wall lead us to use different techniques, some of them rarely used on salt tectonics studies, in order to provide significant information on the knowledge of the salt wall kinematics. The Magnetotelluric data shows the wide range of electrical resistivity materials values. This technique allowed us to recognize a basement fault with a vertical throw of 1000 m. which was active during the Triassic to Lower Cretaceous and likewise elucidate about the salt wall shape and the salt location. The Paleomagnetic data provide valuable information about the rotation suffered on the area both the syn-diapiric basins and the diapir, revealing rotation on different areas. This information together with the internal diapir structure and the overburden structure makes possible to interpret the initiation and reactivation of salt wall as driven by thin-skinned contractional deformation of the overburden. These processes were preferentially developed on the top of a pre-existing basement fault. A comprehensive analysis brings into relief the role played by the propagation direction sense of the cover deformation and the dip sense of the basement fault. This thesis contributes on the scientific knowledge of the salt tectonics, in its kinematics and evolution in different tectonic settings. The salt tectonics is also a geological branch very attractive for the oil industry as it generates one of the most important trap sources. / La presència de materials evaporítics condiciona l’estructura que es desenvoluparà en un àrea ja que les propietats reològiques de les evaporites són molt diferents a les d’altres materials. Especialment la sal, que es deforma plàsticament, és menys densa i més dèbil que la majoria dels materials (Jackson i Talbot, 1986; Jackson i Vendeville, 1994). Aquestes propietats permetran la formació de coixins salins, diapirs salins, parets salines, llengües salines, etc. La generació d’aquestes estructures i el fet de que la sal sigui impermeable propicia la formació de trampes per hidrocarburs i la possibilitat d’emmagatzemar CO2 o altres residus. Aquest fet els hi dóna a les estructures salines interès econòmic i facilita l’avenç científic en la matèria, com mostra la publicació d’articles que han millorat el coneixement d’aquestes estructures a partir dels anys ‘90 (ex. Vendeville i Jackson 1992; Jackson 1995; Letouzey et al. 1995; Ge et al. 1997; Rowan et al. 2003; Stewart 2006; Hudec i Jackson 2007, etc.) L’efecte causat a una cobertora fràgil, pel moviment de una falla normal de basament sobre la qual tenim un nivell de desenganxament dúctil ha estat ampliament estudiat (Koyi et al. 1993; Nalpas i Brun 1993; Jackson i Vendeville 1994; Vendeville et al. 1995; Stewart i Clark 1999; Withjack i Callaway 2000; Dooley et al. 2003; 2005). També, amb la mateixa disposició de materials fràgils-dúctils, ha estat investigada la inversió de les falles normals de basament durant una etapa compressiva (Letouzey et al. 1995; Stewart i Clark 1999; Krzywiec 2004; Ferrer et al. 2012). Per altra banda, la deformació de pell prima provocada per una època compressiva a sobre de un nivell de desenganxament també ha estat estudiada (ex. Chapple 1978; Davis i Engelder 1985; Coward i Stewart 1995; Sans i Koyi 2001), i amb la mateixa geometria les conseqüències de una compressió en un diapir previ (Vendeville i Nilsen 1995; Canerot et al 2005; Roca et al 2006; Callot et al. 2007; Dooley et al. 2009). Tanmateix, no hi ha cap estudi previ publicat en revistes científiques internacionals que descrigui la deformació per compressió de la pell prima prèviament afectada per una falla de basament. Per tal d’omplir aquest buit, s’ha estudiat la paret salina de Bicorb-Quesa, molt adequada ja que està localitzada a sobre d’una falla de basament, en una zona afectada per compressió amb deformació de pell prima (Roca et al 1996, 2006).

The vast distribution and long duration of the Late Mesozoic magmatism in the eastern part of South China presents a unique case in the world. This offers a natural laboratory to study the process of magma genesis, the magma emplacement mode, the relationship between magmatism and tectonics, the geodynamic role on the magma emplacement and lithospheric evolution. Since 50's, particularly 90's of the last century, geoscientists have made important efforts in geological cartography and carried out numerous studies with remarkable scientific achievements, building a solid background to understand the tectonic evolution of the South China Block (SCB). However, certain fundamental questions mentioned above remain unsolved and/or are in hot debate. In order to make progress in these scientific issues, we have carried out in a multi-disciplinary study in the Late Mesozoic Qingyang-Jiuhua massif, Hengshan massif and Fujian coastal zone according to their distance with respect to the paleo subduction zone of the Paleo-Pacific plate, the ages of granitic massifs and related tectonics, including field observation on the structure geology, micro-observation on thin section, U-Pb dating on monazite, AMS, paleomagnetism, gravity modeling and P condition concern the granite emplacement. In the view of deformation in these granitic massifs and their country rocks, mode and influence of regional tectonics on the emplacement, though each studied zone reveals its distinguished characteristics, they show some intrinsic and common relationships between them. With our new results and integrating previous data, in this thesis, we discuss the tectonic context of emplacement of these Late Mesozoic magmatic massifs and the geodynamic evolution of the SCB., We propose a 3-step geodynamic model: (1) during 145-130 Ma period, the Paleo-Pacific plate subducted northwestwardly, the West Philippines micro-continent, approaching to SCB, important subduction-related arc volcanism was produced in the coastal areas of Southeast China coast (Zhejiang-Fujian-Guangdong), forming a back-arc extension tectonic system in SCB; (2) during 130-110 Ma period, due to the collision between the West Philippines microcontinent and SCB, the compressional tectonic structures were developed in the Changle-Na'ao coastal zone, producing ductile deformation zones. However, the inland of the eastern part of SCB was under a NW-SE extensional tectonic regime; (3) during 105-90 Ma period, a new subduction zone was developed in the SE flank of the West Philippines micro-continent, the subducting slab reached the Changle-Nan'ao tectonic belt, with the possible break-off of slab, the asthenospheric ascent was responsible for the important emplacement of plutonic massifs and dykes. The tectonics of the eastern part of SCB was characterized by a general extensional system in this period. This tectonic pattern has been significantly disturbed by the Oligocene-Eocene opening of the South China sea,and the Miocene shortening of the SCB margin in Taiwan. Of course, this model should be improved by more geological, geophysical and geochemical investigations.

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.

No description available.

Paleomagnetic data from 25 sites (5 samples per site) in andesite flows of the Gringo Gulch Volcanics in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, were analyzed to determine a lower Paleocene paleomagnetic pole. Alternating-field demagnetization to 500 oe peak field was sufficient to erase secondary viscous components. The mean direction of magnetization (inclination = -58.8°, declination = 167.5 °) was obtained by averaging the site mean directions of the 25 sites, which are all reversed. The resultant lower Paleocene pole position is at lat. 77.0 °N, 1on. 201.0 °E (dp = 1.2 °, dm = 1.7 °).

As part of the wider European GTS Next project, I propose new constraints on the ages of the Late Cretaceous, derived from a multitude of geochronological techniques, and successful stratigraphic interpretations from Canada and Japan. In the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, we propose a new constraint on the age of the K/Pg boundary in the Red Deer River section (Alberta, Canada). We were able to cyclostratigraphically tune sediments in a non-marine, fluvial environment utilising high-resolution proxy records suggesting a 11-12 precession related cyclicity. Assuming the 40Ar/39Ar method is inter-calibrated with the cyclostratigraphy, the apparent age for C29r suggests that the K/Pg boundary falls between eccentricity maxima and minima, yielding an age of the C29r between 65.89 ± 0.08 and 66.30 ± 0.08 Ma. Assuming that the bundle containing the coal horizon represents a precession cycle, the K/Pg boundary is within the analytical uncertainty of the youngest zircon population achieving a revised age for the K/Pg boundary as 65.75 ± 0.06 Ma. The Campanian - Maastrichtian boundary is preserved in the sedimentary succession of the Horseshoe Canyon Formation and has been placed ~8 m below Coal nr. 10. Cyclostratigraphic studies show that the formation of these depositional sequences (alternations) of all scales are influenced directly by sea-level changes due to precession but more dominated by eccentricity cycles proved in the cyclostratigraphic framework and is mainly controlled by sand horizons, which have been related by autocyclicity in a dynamic sedimentary setting. Our work shows that the Campanian - Maastrichtian boundary in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin coincides with ~2.5 eccentricity cycles above the youngest zircon age population at the bottom of the section and ~4.9 Myr before the Cretaceous - Palaeogene boundary (K/Pg), and thus corresponds to an absolute age of 70.65 ± 0.09 Ma producing an ~1.4 Myr younger age than recent published ages. Finally, using advances with terrestrial carbon isotope and planktonic foraminifera records within central Hokkaido, Northwest Pacific, sections from the Cretaceous Yezo group were correlated to that of European and North American counterparts. Datable ash layers throughout the Kotanbetsu and Shumarinai section were analysed using both 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb methods. We successfully dated two ash tuff layers falling either side of the Turonian - Coniacian boundary, yielding an age range for the boundary between 89.31 ± 0.11 Ma and 89.57 ± 0.11 Ma or a boundary age of 89.44 ± 0.24 Ma. Combining these U-Pb ages with recent published ages we are able to reduce the age limit once more and propose an age for the Turonian - Coniacian boundary as 89.62 ± 0.04 Ma.

Dans le cadre du projet Européen GTS Next, nous avons obtenu des nouvelles contraintes sur l’âge des étages du Crétacé Supérieur à partir de plusieurs techniques de géochronologie et d’interprétations stratigraphiques au Canada et au Japon. Dans le bassin sédimentaire du Western Interior Canada, nous proposons une nouvelle détermination de l’âge de la limite Crétacé - Tertiaire (K/Pg) enregistrée dans la coupe de Red Deer River (Alberta). Il a été possible de calibrer par cyclostratigraphie haute-résolution cette série sédimentaire fluviatile non-marine et d’identifier 11-12 cycles associés à la précession orbitale de la Terre. En considérant la technique 40Ar/39Ar intercalibrée avec la cyclostratigraphie, l’âge apparent de la base du chron magnétique C29r suggère que la limite K/Pg se trouve entre un minimum et un maximum de l’excentricité, avec une durée pour C29r de 66.30 ± 0.08 à 65.89 ± 0.08 Ma. En supposant que le cycle contenant le niveau de charbon soit associé à un cycle de précession, l’âge révisé de la limite Crétacé - Tertiaire est donné par la plus jeune des populations de zircon datée par U-Pb à 65.75 ± 0.06 Ma.La limite Campanien – Maastrichtien est également enregistrée dans ce même bassin canadien, et se trouve à environ 8 m sous le niveau de charbon No. 10 dans la formation de Horseshoe Canyon. L’étude cyclostratigraphique montre que le dépôt de cette séquence sédimentaire est directement influencé par les changements du niveau marin dû à la précession et dominés par l’excentricité Notre travail montre que la position de la limite Campanien – Maastrichtien dans ce bassin sédimentaire du Western Canada est placée à environ 2.5 cycles d’excentricité au dessus d’un niveau de téphra de la base de la coupe dont l’âge U-Pb est donné par la plus jeune population des zircons, et ~4.9 Myr avant la limite Crétacé - Tertiaire. Nous en déduisons un âge absolu de 70.65 ± 0.09 Ma pour la limite Campanien – Maastrichtien, ce qui est ~1.4 Myr plus jeune que les études récemment publiées.Enfin, à partir des isotopes du carbone et des foraminifères planctoniques enregistrés au centre d’Hokkaido (Pacifique Nord-Ouest), les coupes Crétacé du groupe Yezo ont été corrélée avec les séries européennes et nord-américaines. Plusieurs niveaux de téphra prélevés au sein des coupes de Kotanbetsu et Shumarinai ont été datés par les méthodes 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb. Deux d’entre eux, placés de part et d’autre de la limite Turonien – Coniacien, ont donné des âges de 89.31 ± 0.11 et 89.57 ± 0.11 Ma, ce qui suggère un âge de 89.44 ± 0.24 Ma pour cette limite. En combinant notre résultat avec les âges récemment publiés, nous pouvons proposer un âge de 89.62 ± 0.04 Ma pour la limite Turonien – Coniacien. / As part of the wider European GTS Next project, I propose new constraints on the ages of the Late Cretaceous, derived from a multitude of geochronological techniques, and successful stratigraphic interpretations from Canada and Japan. In the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, we propose a new constraint on the age of the K/Pg boundary in the Red Deer River section (Alberta, Canada). We were able to cyclostratigraphically tune sediments in a non-marine, fluvial environment utilising high-resolution proxy records suggesting a 11-12 precession related cyclicity. Assuming the 40Ar/39Ar method is inter-calibrated with the cyclostratigraphy, the apparent age for C29r suggests that the K/Pg boundary falls between eccentricity maxima and minima, yielding an age of the C29r between 65.89 ± 0.08 and 66.30 ± 0.08 Ma. Assuming that the bundle containing the coal horizon represents a precession cycle, the K/Pg boundary is within the analytical uncertainty of the youngest zircon population achieving a revised age for the K/Pg boundary as 65.75 ± 0.06 Ma. The Campanian - Maastrichtian boundary is preserved in the sedimentary succession of the Horseshoe Canyon Formation and has been placed ~8 m below Coal nr. 10. Cyclostratigraphic studies show that the formation of these depositional sequences (alternations) of all scales are influenced directly by sea-level changes due to precession but more dominated by eccentricity cycles proved in the cyclostratigraphic framework and is mainly controlled by sand horizons, which have been related by autocyclicity in a dynamic sedimentary setting. Our work shows that the Campanian - Maastrichtian boundary in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin coincides with ~2.5 eccentricity cycles above the youngest zircon age population at the bottom of the section and ~4.9 Myr before the Cretaceous - Palaeogene boundary (K/Pg), and thus corresponds to an absolute age of 70.65 ± 0.09 Ma producing an ~1.4 Myr younger age than recent published ages. Finally, using advances with terrestrial carbon isotope and planktonic foraminifera records within central Hokkaido, Northwest Pacific, sections from the Cretaceous Yezo group were correlated to that of European and North American counterparts. Datable ash layers throughout the Kotanbetsu and Shumarinai section were analysed using both 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb methods. We successfully dated two ash tuff layers falling either side of the Turonian - Coniacian boundary, yielding an age range for the boundary between 89.31 ± 0.11 Ma and 89.57 ± 0.11 Ma or a boundary age of 89.44 ± 0.24 Ma. Combining these U-Pb ages with recent published ages we are able to reduce the age limit once more and propose an age for the Turonian - Coniacian boundary as 89.62 ± 0.04 Ma.

La vaste distribution géographique et la longue durée du magmatisme au Mésozoïque supérieur (Jurassique et Crétacé) en Chine du Sud présente le cas unique dans le monde. Ceci présente un laboratoire naturel très favorable a l’étude des processus de magmatogénèse, et des modes de mise place des plutons granitiques. Il permet également d’aborder l’analyse des relations magmatisme-tectonique et les contextes géodynamiques de la mise en place de magma dans leur cadre lithosphérique. Depuis les années 50, et surtout les années 90, des scientifiques ont mis un effort important sur la cartographie géologique, mené des études pétrologiques et géochronologiques et ainsi obtenu une base solide pour la compréhension de l’évolution tectonique du Bloc de Chine du Sud (SCB). Cependant, des questions fondamentales restent encore sans réponses ou vivement débattues. Dans le but de progresser sur ces sujets fondamentaux, nous avons mené des études pluridisciplinaires sur les massifs d’âge Mésozoïque supérieur de Qingyang-Jiuhua (Province d’Anhui), Hengshan (Province de Hunan) et certains plutons affleurant dans la zone côtière du Fujian. Le choix des massifs est fonde sur leur distance variable par rapport à la paléozone de subduction, les âges comparables de ces massifs et les déformations associées. Les méthodes d’étude comprennent l’observation de terrain, l’analyse microscopique de lames minces, la datation par U-Pb de monazite, l’ASM, le paléomagnétisme, la modélisation gravimétrique et la barométrie à partir de Al-total dans l’amphibole magmatique. Bien que chaque massif présente des caractéristiques distinctes, ils partagent des points communs du point de vue de leur orientation préférentielle, de la déformation de leurs encaissants et de l’influence de la tectonique régionale sur leur mise en place, D’après nos nouveaux résultats et en intégrant les données précédentes, nous discutons dans cette thèse les contextes tectoniques de mise en place de ces massifs granitiques et l’évolution géodynamique de SCB, et proposons un scénario géodynamique en 3 étapes. (1) Pendant la période 145-130 Ma, la subduction vers le NW de la plaque Paléo-Pacifique sous le continent asiatique fait rapprocher le micro-continent de l’Ouest-Philippines avec le continent de Chine du Sud, produisant l’important magmatisme d’arc et formant un régime tectonique en extension en SCB ? Dans l’arrière-arc; (2) Pendant la période 130-110 Ma, dûe à la collision entre le micro-continent de l’Ouest Philippines et SCB, une structure compressive vers le NW a été développée dans la zone de Changle Nan’ao, produisant des déformations ductiles. Cependant, l’intérieur de la partie orientale du SCB était encore en régime tectonique extensif de direction NW-SE; (3) Pendant la période 105-90Ma, une nouvelle zone de subduction a été développée au SE du micro-continent de l’Ouest Philippines, le panneau subductant atteint la zone de Changle-Nan’ao, avec probablement des morceaux de panneau cassé, provocant l’ascension de l’asthénosphère, responsable de la mise en place d’importants massifs granitiques et de filons. La tectonique de SCB pendant cette période est caractérisée par un système tectonique d’extension générale. Ce dispositif a été significativement perturbe par l’ouverture oligo-miocène de la mer de Chine du Sud et par la compression miocène de la marge à Taiwan. Ce modèle géodynamique reste à être amélioré par de futures investigations géologiques, géophysiques et géochimiques. / The vast distribution and long duration of the Late Mesozoic magmatism in the eastern part of South China presents a unique case in the world. This offers a natural laboratory to study the process of magma genesis, the magma emplacement mode, the relationship between magmatism and tectonics, the geodynamic role on the magma emplacement and lithospheric evolution. Since 50’s, particularly 90’s of the last century, geoscientists have made important efforts in geological cartography and carried out numerous studies with remarkable scientific achievements, building a solid background to understand the tectonic evolution of the South China Block (SCB). However, certain fundamental questions mentioned above remain unsolved and/or are in hot debate. In order to make progress in these scientific issues, we have carried out in a multi-disciplinary study in the Late Mesozoic Qingyang-Jiuhua massif, Hengshan massif and Fujian coastal zone according to their distance with respect to the paleo subduction zone of the Paleo-Pacific plate, the ages of granitic massifs and related tectonics, including field observation on the structure geology, micro-observation on thin section, U-Pb dating on monazite, AMS, paleomagnetism, gravity modeling and P condition concern the granite emplacement. In the view of deformation in these granitic massifs and their country rocks, mode and influence of regional tectonics on the emplacement, though each studied zone reveals its distinguished characteristics, they show some intrinsic and common relationships between them. With our new results and integrating previous data, in this thesis, we discuss the tectonic context of emplacement of these Late Mesozoic magmatic massifs and the geodynamic evolution of the SCB., We propose a 3-step geodynamic model: (1) during 145-130 Ma period, the Paleo-Pacific plate subducted northwestwardly, the West Philippines micro-continent, approaching to SCB, important subduction-related arc volcanism was produced in the coastal areas of Southeast China coast (Zhejiang-Fujian-Guangdong), forming a back-arc extension tectonic system in SCB; (2) during 130-110 Ma period, due to the collision between the West Philippines microcontinent and SCB, the compressional tectonic structures were developed in the Changle-Na’ao coastal zone, producing ductile deformation zones. However, the inland of the eastern part of SCB was under a NW-SE extensional tectonic regime; (3) during 105-90 Ma period, a new subduction zone was developed in the SE flank of the West Philippines micro-continent, the subducting slab reached the Changle-Nan’ao tectonic belt, with the possible break-off of slab, the asthenospheric ascent was responsible for the important emplacement of plutonic massifs and dykes. The tectonics of the eastern part of SCB was characterized by a general extensional system in this period. This tectonic pattern has been significantly disturbed by the Oligocene-Eocene opening of the South China sea,and the Miocene shortening of the SCB margin in Taiwan. Of course, this model should be improved by more geological, geophysical and geochemical investigations.