Interpretation of Late Precambrian Palaeomagnetic Results from Africa

Abstract

An apparent polar wander path for the Late Precambrian of Africa is proposed. It is defined by new data from Kenya and Tanzania covering the period 800 My to 1000 or 1100 My, and with an average polar wander rate of about 0·3° My−1 it probably links with the previously defined curves for the periods 0–600 My and 1300–1950 My. The suggested curve passes near western South America and places Africa in low palaeolatitudes at about 800 My, but moves northwards and then eastwards to pass across equatorial Africa between 1000 and 1300 My. Consistent with this is evidence for glaciation from rocks of this age range from Uganda and the Congo.

The apparent polar wander curve for Africa is compared with curves recently proposed for North America, and it is concluded that relative movement between the two continents must have occurred. Precambrian continental drift is thus established.