Rock magnetism of the Upper Ordovician Zhaolaoyu Formation of the southern Ordos Basin

Abstract

Objective Palaeomagnetic methods can be used to quantitatively constrain the Early Palaeozoic palaeo-position of the North China Block (NCB), which provides a crucial scientific basis for researching the evolution of the Proto-Tethyan Orogeny and the affinity of the NCB for Gondwana. However, the NCB has undergone considerable tectonic activity since the Early Palaeozoic, and the Ordos Basin in the western part of the NCB is rich in hydrocarbon resources. Late tectonic activity and the migration of hydrocarbon resources may have caused remagnetization of Early Palaeozoic strata. Methods Thus, in this paper, to determine the main magnetic minerals in various rocks and their ability to record the primary remanent magnetization, we carry out a series of detailed petrography, rock magnetism and stepwise demagnetization experiments on the limestone and tuff samples of the Upper Ordovician Zhaolaoyu Formation in the Fuping area of the southern Ordos Basin, including optical microscope identification, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), saturated isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) acquisition curve, three-axis isothermal thermal demagnetization test, κ-T curve test, hysteresis loop experiment, first-order reversal curve (FORC), and thermal demagnetization and hybrid (TD+AF) demagnetization. Results The results indicate that the main magnetic minerals in the limestone and tuff samples are magnetite, pyrrhotite and/or greigite, and some samples also contain a tiny quantity of haematite with impurities and goethite. Mineral particles possess single domains (SDs) as well as multiple domains (MDs) within their magnetic domains. Combining petrographic and demagnetization data, this paper suggests that the main magnetic minerals in the samples are likely secondary minerals associated with later fluid alteration (maturation and migration of organic matter). Conclusion The remanent magnetic signals conveyed by these rocks cannot be directly used to constrain the Early Palaeozoic palaeoposition of the NCB but may be used to constrain hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in the Lower Palaeozoic strata of the southern Ordos Basin.

Keywords

• north china block
• rock magnetism
• upper ordovician
• zhaolaoyu formation
• fluid alteration