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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 66 (1982)

Issue: 7. (July)

First Page: 966

Last Page: 966

Title: Paleomagnetic Evidence for Large Microplate Rotations in the Southwest Pacific: ABSTRACT

Author(s): David Falvey, Tim Pritchard

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The Bismark Archipelago of northern Papua New Guinea shows evidence of an Eocene to Holocene island-arc system. Originally north-facing, the arc reversed in the late Miocene, and was partly disrupted by marginal basin sea-floor spreading in the Bismark basin from late Pliocene to Recent.

Paleomagnetic data has been collected and analyzed from over 200 sites throughout the archipelago. Principal component analysis has shown moderate angular motion of New Britain, associated with back-arc spreading. Large angular rotation of island-arc microplates has been detected from earlier epochs. These microplates appear not to be disrupted by internal block rotations, but appear amenable to conventional plate tectonic analysis techniques.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists