Paleomagnetism of the Society Cliffs dolostone and the age of the Nanisivik zinc deposits, Baffin Island, Canada

Dolostones of the similar to 1200 Ma Society Cliffs Formation within the hy drothermal zone surrounding the Nanisivik zinc deposits retain a stable cha racteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) on alternating field and thermal step demagnetization. Based on the thermal data and saturation isothermal r emanence analyses, the ChRM resides in pseudosingle domain mjgnetite and he matite. A paleomagnetic fold rest favours a postfolding ChRM: and a paleoma gnetic contact test, using a Franklin gabbro dike, indicates that the ChRM predates similar to 720 Ma. The pole position calculated from the ChRM dire ction is at 168.2 degreesE. 42.8 degreesN (delta (p) = 4.9 degrees, delta ( m), = 6.8 degrees), giving an age of 1095 +/- 10 Ma on the well-defined "Lo gan Loop" portion of the North American apparent polar wander path. This ag e is considered to date recrystallization of the dolostone host rooks in th e halo around the hydrothermal sulfide deposits. No evidence is found for a postulated Cretaceous remagnetization event in the region.