Paleo-Mesoproterozoic Nuna supercycle

• We review models of the Precambrian supercontinent Nuna (c.1.80–1.20 Ga) and present a new model of the Nuna life-cycle. We explore the option where Amazonia−West Africa and Congo−São Francisco cratons were not a part of Nuna but form a cluster of cratons named Atlantica. Nuna was finally assembled at c.1.65 Ga, encompassing Laurentia, Baltica, Siberia, proto-Australia, North China, and India. The break up of Nuna is here suggested to have started at c.1.3 Ga with Australian cratons moving away from Laurentia. Varying drift rates and length between coeval poles from separate cratons support the operation of modern style plate tectonics during the Nuna supercycle. Moreover, if there was no link between Nuna and the Atlantica cratons, the size of Nuna might not meet the criteria for a supercontinent, but should be regarded as a huge landmass.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Geologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Geology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Nuna

supercycle

paleomagnetism

plate tectonic

Prospekteringsgeofysik

Exploration Geophysics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kap (subject category)