On the Early Permian shape of Pangea from paleomagnetism at its core

Although central to an understanding of Earth's paleogeography and the myriad processes that it affects, geometry Pangea during early phase its lifetime has remained a topic contention since plate tectonic revolution. Despite decades analysis discussion, crux this debate still largely hinges on sparse, legacy paleomagnetic data derived from Permian rocks Moroccan Meseta. In work, we present results study designed revisit, update expand those key data, with provision new geochronologic six Permo-Carboniferous basins in Morocco. New U-Pb zircon ages volcanic substantiate refine existing geochronological reveal volcanism among studied spanned approximately 30 Ma, at least 305 277 but was possibly punctuated by more intense pulse mid-early (~285 Ma). These furthermore suggest age estimates previously assigned poles Meseta are probably too young, some ~10 Ma. yielded common, well-defined remanent magnetization 20 sites is demonstrated be pre-middle age. However, remains unclear whether (which directionally similar previous same basins) primary acquired ~285 or syn-folding remagnetization shortly thereafter, ~275 adopting both interpretations as alternative hypotheses, examine corresponding paleogeographic implications both. Through exhaustive comparisons reference apparent polar wander paths direct reconstruction Gondwana using these results, demonstrate either case (i.e. soon after folding) compatible A Permian. We close topical discussion persisting arguments used defend B why consider them flawed.