Silurian and Devonian base maps

Abstract

During the Silurian and Devonian, the sequence of continental collisions that were ultimately to result in the formation of the supercontinent of Pangaea had begun. By the Early to Middle Devonian North America (Laurentia), Acadia, Great Britain, and Northern Europe (Baltica) had collided to form the ‘Old Red Sandstone’ continent (Laurussia). Palaeomagnetic data, however, indicate that the configuration of the continents that made up Laurussia did not resemble the pre-breakup, Mesozoic reassembly. Rather, Britain, Baltica, and Acadia were displaced 10—20° to the south with respect to Laurentia. New palaeomagnetic data for Laurentia and Gondwana, suggests that the ocean separating the northern and southern continents was relatively narrow during the early Devonian, and may have been nearly closed by the late Devonian.

Lycopsids from the Upper Devonian of northern Chile with remarks on the geographical distribution of the morphogenus Haplostigma Seward

“…4; Table 1) shows that this genus was most common in South America, Scotese et al (1985) and with some record of Haplostigma based on Edwards (1990). For locality numbers see Table 1 Lycopsids from the Upper Devonian of northern Chile 237 but it has also been described from the Antarctic (Plumstead 1962;Grindley et al 1980;McLoughlin and Long 1994), South Africa (Anderson and Anderson 1985) and Australia (Walkom 1928 (Morel and Gutiérrez 2000).…”

First evidence of Devonian strata in Sweden — A palynological investigation of Övedskloster drillcores 1 and 2, Skåne, Sweden

“…By the latest Silurian the docking of Baltica and Avalonia was complete. Baltica then became incorporated into the continent Laurussia (the Old Red Sandstone Continent) that formed as a consequence of the collision of Baltica, Laurentia and Avalonia (Scotese et al, 1985;Torsvik and Rehnström, 2003). During the late Silurian-Early Devonian the Caledonian orogeny dramatically influenced the sedimentary development towards the west and the south (Bjerkéus, 2001).…”

“…Paleogeographical map showing Baltica 430-400 Ma (afterScotese et al (1985)). B. Map of southern Sweden indicating Silurian-Devonian deposits and with location of Övedskloster cores marked.…”

The Sabaloka ring complex revisited: palaeomagnetism and rockmagnetism

“…In terms of palaeogeography, the northern border of Gondwana would have been separated from Laurasia in the Devonian only by a small ocean. This is supported by biogeography, favouring a small separation rather than a wide dividing ocean between the two landmasses (Scotese, Van der Voo & Barrett 1985). However, a Devonian CARM and a corresponding pole …”