Abstract:   This project aims to partially solve one of the major conundrums of Neoproterozoic paleogeography.  The arrangement of continents during Late Neoproterozoic interval is poorly constrained.  In particular, data from Laurentia, Baltica and several other continents suggest very rapid changes in continental configurations that fall outside the normal bounds of conventional plate tectonic processes.  Explanations for these rapid changes include mechanisms such as true polar wander or instabilities of the magnetic field (non-dipolar fields) or simply to problematic paleomagnetic data (unrecognized inclination shallowing or remagnetizations).  This proposal targets Neoproterozoic sequences from the margins of Baltica in the central and southern Ural mountains.  These sequences are either well-dated or potentially dateable and contain suitable targets for paleomagnetic study.  The work will provide a near continuous record of motion for the 650-530 Ma interval and allow us to assess myriad climatic, evolutionary and magnetic field models.

Key Findings (to date):  (publications)

1. Grazhdankin, D.V., Marusin, V.V., Meert, J., Krunpenin, M.T. and Maslvov, A.V., 2011.  Kotlin Regional Stage in the South Urals, Doklady Earth Sciences, 440, 1222-1226.  pdf of manuscript.

2. Meert, J.G, Levashova, N.M., Liebe, K., 2012. Ediacaran paleomagnetism of Baltica: A review, Gondwana Research, under review. pdf of submission.

3.      Levashova, N.M., Meert, J.G., Kuznetsov, N.B., Sergeeva, N.D., Golovanova, I.V., Danukalov, K.N., Bazhenov, M.L., 2011.  A new Ediacaran pole from Baltica, American Geophysical Union Fall meeting.

4.    Meert, J.G., Levashova, N.M. and Liebe, K.*, 2011. Ediacaran paleomagnetism: Review and New data from Baltica, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting Abstracts w/program, 43, Abstract #195408.

Figure 1: Previously published Vendian poles from Baltica