New paleomagnetic results obtained in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene detritic deposits of the North Iberian Meseta

The Iberian microplate and its evolution during the Mesozoic have been in-vogue topics in the field of Geodynamics, because of its location between two of the major tectonic plates, its interaction with both of them, and its significance in relation with the evolution of the western Tethys domain. Geodynamic models of Mesozoic Iberian evolution are based upon the knowledge of the kinematics of the microplate obtained from the ocean floor magnetic anomalies and particularly its apparent polar wander path (APWP) defined by existing paleomagnetic data. In this sense, the most important feature is the anticlockwise 30º-40º rotation that Iberia underwent during the Cretaceous. Nevertheless, there are still uncertainties about the chronology of this movement due to the poor definition of oceanic magnetic anomalies and the scarcity of high-quality paleomagnetic data in the continent. According to recent works, existing paleomagnetic poles are contradictory and inconsistent with the global apparent wander path (GAPWP) and ocean floor anomalies. This is due to the widespread presence of remagnetizations in the Mesozoic basins within Iberia.

To address this question we are starting to develop a new project that aims to obtain new paleomagnetic data from unexplored geological units meeting the necessary condition to obtain new Cretaceous paleomagnetic poles representative of the Iberian plate. In this talk we show new paleomagnetic data from detritic deposits with siliceous cement located at the Duero basin (North Iberian Meseta) ascribed to the upper Cretaceous-Paleocene (Areniscas de Salamanca Formation). A stable paleomagnetic component carried by hematite, showing normal and reversed polarities has been isolated. A stable paleomagnetic component carried by hematite, showing normal and reversed polarities has been isolated. We discuss the primary character of this magnetization in terms of inferring the age of this unit in the frame of the kinematic evolution of the plate.