DRIFT OF SOUTH AMERICAN PLATFORM SINCE EARLY CRETACEOUS: REVIEWING THE APPARENT POLAR WANDER PATH

Resumen

A review of the available paleomagnetic data based on magmatic rocks of Early Cretaceous to Recent allows the proposition of a new apparent polar wander path (APWP) for South America. As the investigated time span comprises the long normal polarity interval of the Cretaceous (Cretaceous Normal Superchron), the analysis of the magnetization polarity of the rocks allowed some inferences about the relative ages of the igneous complexes when good radiometric control is lacking. Absolute reconstruction of the drift movement of South America was achieved by means of paleomagnetic rotations and longitude control through the sea floor magnetic anomalies. The proposed APWP is a good indicator of paleo-latitude changes of the continent through the considered time interval, which are essential in paleoclimate modeling