West Africa in Rodinia: High quality paleomagnetic pole from the ~ 860 Ma Manso dyke swarm (Ghana)

The paleogeography of the Meso-Neoproterozoic Rodinia supercontinent remains debated partly because many stable cratons still lack reliable paleomagnetic data for this period. A new geochronological and study was conducted on NNW-trending Manso dyke swarm southern West Africa (Ghana) to clarify position unconstrained continent in Rodinia. Two UPb apatite ages 857.2 ± 8.5 Ma 855 16 agree with one previous baddeleyite age, indicating a ~ 860 emplacement age dykes. characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) isolated single pseudo-single domain (SD-PSD) magnetite. Well constrained site mean directions obtained 13 dykes lead direction Dm = 181.9°, Im ?77.2° (N 13, ?95 7.6°, k 30.6), yielding pole at 177.6°E, 28.3°S, (A95 12.7 °K 11.6). directional clusters opposite inclination pass reversal test (C-class) primary origin is supported by positive baked contact test, satisfying all seven R-criteria provide first African Tonian key pole. This indicates high latitude Craton during ~860 compilation poles Africa, Baltica, Amazonia Congo-São Francisco suggests that these were together between ~1200 800 long-lived WABAMGO configuration. We suggest collision block Laurentia along Grenvillian-Sunsás orogens closed external Nuna Ocean formed extroversion.