Journal of Geodynamics 71 (2013) 14–24 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Geodynamics j ourna l h o mepa ge: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jog No large-magnitude tectonic rotations of the Subsilesian Unit of the Outer Western Carpathians: Evidence from primary magnetization recorded in hematite-bearing W˛ eglówka Marls (Senonian to Eocene) Rafał Szaniawski a,∗ , Stefano Mazzoli b , Leszek Jankowski c , Massimiliano Zattin d a Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ks. Janusza 64, 01-452 Warsaw, Poland b Department of Earth Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Largo S. Marcellino, 10, 80138 Naples, Italy c Polish Geological Institute-Carpathian Branch, Skrzatów 1, 31-560 Cracow, Poland d Department of Geosciences, University of Padua, Via Giotto 1, 35137 Padua, Italy a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 28 January 2013 Received in revised form 8 July 2013 Accepted 13 July 2013 Available online xxx Keywords: Paleomagnetism Outer Western Carpathians Tectonic rotations Fold and thrust belt a b s t r a c t In the Outer Western Carpathians, previous paleomagnetic studies reported minor and differentiated tec- tonic rotations of particular thrust-belt segments. Alternatively, large magnitude vertical axis rotations of entire nappes and thrust sheets of regional extent were inferred from the study of Upper Eocene – Oligocene rocks. Paleomagnetic data obtained from the red W˛ eglówka Marls (Senonian to Eocene) indi- cate that the NE segment of the Outer Western Carpathians was not significantly rotated with respect to the stable European Platform. The W˛ eglówka Marls record a primary magnetization carried by hematite, with intervals affected by secondary reduction processes, associated with reduction to magnetite and pyrhottite. The characteristic remanent magnetization displays dual polarity, passes the fold-test and shows paleomagnetic declinations similar to those expected for stable parts of the European Platform. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) data show that the analyzed rocks were affected by signif- icant compaction; however they record only a minor tectonic overprint, implying weak internal strain associated with folding and thrusting. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Comprehensive reconstructions of the development of moun- tain belts require the integration of a wide range of data obtained by various geological and geophysical research methods. A useful and notable technique, particularly effective in providing impor- tant paleogeographic information, is that of paleomagnetism. In this paper, we present the results of paleomagnetic analyses per- formed in the Outer Western Carpathians (OWC). These constitute a foreland fold-and-thrust belt located in the frontal (i.e. north- ern) part of the Carpathian orogen (Fig. 1a). The development of the OWC is commonly interpreted in terms of an orogenic wedge formed on the margin of the European Platform (e.g. Jankowski et al., 2012; Ku´ smierek, 2010; Oszczypko, 2004; Roca et al., 1995). Paleomagnetic investigations of the OWC are particularly diffi- cult, as most of the belt is composed of ‘grey’ siliciclastic sediments (Korab et al., 1981). Previous reports reached partially divergent conclusions. Paleomagnetic analyses of both sedimentary rocks and so-called “teschenites” [Lower Cretaceous alkaline sills, see ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +48 22 6915766. E-mail address: rafsz@igf.edu.pl (R. Szaniawski). Dostal and Owen (1998)] performed in the western sector of the OWC (in Czech territory; Fig. 1a) documented important counter- clockwise rotations relative to the stable parts of the European Continent, summarized by Krs et al. (1996). Similar studies on Lower Cretaceous teschenite sills from the Polish segment of the OWC confirmed the occurrence of counterclockwise rotations only in the westernmost part of the study area (Fig. 1a, Grabowski et al. (2006)). Such rotations tend to decrease eastward, switching to clockwise around the meridian 19 ◦ E (Grabowski et al., 2006). On the other hand, a study by Korab et al. (1981) on the eastern sec- tor of the OWC in Slovakia documented minor counterclockwise rotations of the prefolding remanence preserved in red pelitic sed- iments (Eocene variegated shales). Korab et al. (1981) described additional investigations carried out on gray clastic sediments that led the authors to the conclusion that these rocks are not suitable for paleomagnetic analysis. In turn, a paper by Márton et al. (2009) reports numerous results from various tectonic units cropping out in the territories of the Czech Republic and Poland between merid- ians 17 ◦ and 23 ◦ E. The data, derived from gray siliciclastic deposits of Oligocene age, were interpreted by the authors in terms of large (>50 ◦ ), “en bloc” counterclockwise rotations postdating folding of the uppermost nappe. Recent results by Márton et al. (2011) also suggest the occurrence of a 20 ◦ counterclockwise rotation within 0264-3707/$ – see front matter © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. 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