The Separation of Madagascar and Africa
Abstract
Identification of a sequence of east-west trending magnetic anomalies of Mesozoic age in the western Somali Basin helps define the position of Madagascar in the Gondwana reconstruction. The anomalies are symmetric about ancient ridge segments and are flanked to the north and south by the Jurassic magnetic quiet zone. The motion of Madagascar relative to Africa was from the north and began in the middle Jurassic, about the same time as the initial breakup of Gondwanaland. Sea-floor spreading ceased when Madagascar assumed its present position in the Early Cretaceous.
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Published In
Science
Volume 220 | Issue 4592
1 April 1983
1 April 1983
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© 1983.
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Received: 9 August 1982
Published in print: 1 April 1983
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- Philip D. Rabinowitz et al.
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