Paleomagnetism of igneous rocks from the Belcher Islands, Northwest Territories, Canada

Paleomagnetic results from igneous rocks units on the Belcher Islands, Hudson Bay, are described. Fold tests for all units studied, as well as a contact test for the intrusive bodies, indicate that both primary (initial), and secondary (post-folding) magnetizations are present. It is argued that the apparent polar wander path (APWP) constructed for the Belcher Islands is representative of the mainland Ungava Craton. Comparison with the equivalent APWP from elsewhere in N America shows that the two APWP's are at variance. Although a two-plate model could be advanced, perhaps a more conservative interpretation is to extend the existing N American APWP eastward to include the Belcher- Ungava APWP, that is, to favour a one-plate model. -Author