PALEOMAGNETIC EVIDENCE FOR NO TECTONIC ROTATION OF THE CENTRAL ITALY TYRRHENIAN MARGIN SINCE UPPER PLIOCENE

We present paleomagnetic results from 141 samples collected at 12 site s from Plio-Pleistocene clayey units in the extensional Central Italy Tyrrhenian margin. All samples were subjected to stepwise alternating field and/or thermal demagnetization. Positive fold and reversal tests indicate that the results refer to a primary component of magnetizati on. Paleomagnetic mean direction (Declination = 358.0-degrees; Inclina tion = 55.2-degrees; alpha95 = 4.1-degrees) reflects the expected geoc entric axial dipole field for the locality, thus indicating that this sector of the Tyrrhenian margin did not undergo any tectonic rotation during the past 4 million years.