Southern hemisphere origin of the Cretaceous Laytonville Limestone of California

J.A. Tarduno; M. McWilliams; W.V. Sliter; H. E. Cook; M.C. Blake; I. Premoli-Silva

doi:10.1126/science.231.4744.1425

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Southern hemisphere origin of the Cretaceous Laytonville Limestone of California

J.A. Tarduno·M. McWilliams·W.V. Sliter·H. E. Cook·M.C. Blake·I. Premoli-Silva

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Abstract

New paleomagnetic, paleontologic, and stratigraphic data from outcrops of the Laytonville Limestone (101 to 88 million years old) support a Southern Hemisphere orgin. A paleomagnetic megaconglomerate test is statistically significant and suggests magnetization at 14?? ?? 5?? south, predating Late Cretaceous to Eocene (70 to 50 million years ago) accretion. Rapid Kula plate movement or the existence and demise of a now vanished oceanic plate (or both) are required to accommodate the greater than 50?? of poleward displacement implied by the paleomagnetic data. This rapid motion brings into question the validity of a "speed limit" for absolute plate velocity based on present-day plate motions.

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J.A. Tarduno, M. McWilliams, W.V. Sliter, H. E. Cook, M.C. Blake, I. Premoli-Silva. 1986. Southern hemisphere origin of the Cretaceous Laytonville Limestone of California. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.231.4744.1425

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