Misterios y rarezas del final del precámbrico: un enfoque paleomagnético

Augusto E. Rapalini

Authors

Augusto E. Rapalini Laboratorio de Paleomagnetismo Daniel A. Valencio, Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires (IGEBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires – CONICET

Keywords:

history of the earth, paleomagnetism, precambrian period

Abstract

The Ediacaran (or Ediacaran) is the terminal period of the Precambrian, extending from 635 to 541 million years ago (Ma). During this period the planet appears to have experienced a series of extraordinarily singular events and processes, whose actual existence and detailed characteristics are the subject of much debate and controversy. Some of the events that are more or less certainly investigated, discussed and analyzed at present are: 1) the appearance of the first complex biota of multicellular organisms in Earth's history but which would leave no successors in the Phanerozoic; 2) the largest δ 13C isotopic excursion in the history of the planet (Shuram excursion) and its relationship with the evolution of the oceans; 3) the existence of a glaciation that reached low latitudes (Gaskiers glaciation) and its global paleoenvironmental impacts; 4) the chronology and kinematics of the final rupture of the supercontinent Rodinia and the subsequent formation of Gondwana; 5) the possibility of very fast true polar displacements of about 90° by exchange of the inertial axes of the planet; 6) the possibility that the magnetic poles were located for long periods at the equator; 7) an ultraweak magnetic field, with the lowest paleointensity on record; 8) a hyperactive magnetic field, with the maximum frequency of known polarity reversions; 9) the possible beginning of the formation of the Internal nucleus and the subsequent change in the mode of the terrestrial geodynamo; and many more. Through systematic paleomagnetic studies it is possible to provide valuable information to resolve many of these questions. For two decades, in the Daniel A. Valencio Paleomagnetism Laboratory of the IGEBA we have been developing systematic multidisciplinary studies in sedimentary and volcanic Ediacaran rocks of the Río de la Plata craton. These investigations are nurtured by a close and continuous collaboration with colleagues from other research groups in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The studies include mainly paleomagnetic investigations in order to reconstruct the paleogeographic evolution of the Ediacaran craton and to contribute to understand the kinematics of the formation of Gondwana. Recently we are also advancing in the knowledge of the polarity reversions of the magnetic paleofield in the late Ediacaran. Accurate geochronological dating, systematic isotopic studies and recent spectacular fossil finds, in addition to paleomagnetic information, are significantly increasing our knowledge of a period that until two decades ago was almost unknown. These advances include a schematic reconstruction of the paleogeographic evolution of the La Plata River craton between approximately 600 and 550 Ma, during which time it would have migrated from low to high latitudes. With this information and that of other West Gondwana cratons, constraints on the ages of annexation with Congo-São Francisco and West Africa are emerging. They also allow speculation with more observational support on the possible existence (or not) of a big ocean called Clymene in late stages of Gondwana formation. The probable record of the Shuram excursion in calcareous sediments of the craton is a concrete possibility as chemostratigraphic studies progress. Although still incipient, the first magnetostratigraphic results we are obtaining suggest the apparent presence of rapid polarity reversions. This succession of new results marks limits to certain models or non-current proposals while it is compatible with others, opening an important number of new questions. In this paper we present a brief summary of the current global knowledge of many of these controversies, as well as the progress of research in our country.

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