Late Silurian paleomagnetic pole from the Holy Cross Mountains: constraints for the post-Caledonian tectonic activity of the Trans-European Suture Zone

In spite of extensive studies, the tectonic evolution of the most prominent geological boundary in Europe, the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ), rema ins enigmatic. End-member models are either autochthonous, requiring in sit u Phanerozoic reworking of the pre-Cambrian crust, or allochthonous, includ ing accretion of mobile Caledonian and Variscan terranes. Continent-scale V ariscan right-lateral displacements along the TESZ have been also postulate d. A paleomagnetic study of Upper Silurian diabases from the southern part of Holy Cross Mts. (central Poland) was undertaken to test between these mo dels. A primary characteristic magnetization was isolated in these rocks. I t passes the fold test and therefore is considered to be Late Silurian in a ge. The corresponding pole (12 degrees S, 340 degrees S) is concordant with the Ludlovian segment of the apparent polar wander path for Baltica. This result does not support hypotheses about significant post-Caledonian dextra l tectonic movements along the TESZ. Tectonic movements and accretion of bl ocks along the SW edge of Baltica must have occurred before the latest Silu rian. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.