Oceanic circulation as an element in palaeogeographical reconstructions: the Arenig (early Ordovician) as an example

A new conceptual palaeo-oceanographical model is outlined in this paper, Th e model differs from previous models by using shifts in Hadley circulation caused by orbital variations, and the rotation rate of the Earth, to locate the position of the planetary oceanic low-and high-pressure systems, aroun d which the planetary ocean surface currents flow. Adapting the model to th e Arenig (early Ordovician) the temperate low pressure zones were found to be located at 50 degrees latitude and the subtropical high pressure tones a t 25 degrees latitude, Traditionally, most Palaeozoic palaeogeographical reconstructions are recon structed using palaeomagnetic data supplemented with data from climate-sens itive lithofacies and palaeo-biogeographical distributions. However, as a n ew approach in palaeogeographical reconstructions, the conceptual palaeo-oc eanographical model is combined with palaeobiogeographical data for the Are nig series, complementing the palaeomagnetic data, and resulting in a new, refined palaeogeographical reconstruction.