A new palaeomagnetic pole for the Dwyka System and correlative sediments in sub-Saharan Africa

Palaeomagnetic data from sediments deposited during the Permo-Carboniferous Dwyka glaciation of Gondwana has been obtained from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Biostratigraphic and geochronological constrains indicated t hat the sediments are Early Carboniferous to Early Permian in age. Seventy- two sites were collected from diamictites, siltstone and rythmites. Twenty- two of these sites yielded positive results, rythmites being the most succe ssful lithological type sampled. The dominant direction isolated was down a nd to the east-southeast. However, three sites from the northwest Cape Prov ince yielded directions up and to the northwest, the normal polarity in Ear ly Permian coordinates. Normal polarities within the Kiaman at this time ar e known from elsewhere (Dunkard Subchron). Virtual geomagnetic poles were c alculated from each site and a palaeomagnetic pole was calculated after cor recting each site for bedding tilt. The sites group more closely after they have been corrected for tilt and have passed a fold test. The palaeomagnet ic South Pole falls at 67 degreesE and 25 degreesS, alpha 95 of 12 degrees. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.