Ordovician–Silurian true polar wander as a mechanism for severe glaciation and mass extinction

Xianqing Jing, Zhenyu Yang (), Ross N. Mitchell (), Yabo Tong, Min Zhu and Bo Wan
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Xianqing Jing: Capital Normal University
Zhenyu Yang: Capital Normal University
Ross N. Mitchell: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yabo Tong: Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
Min Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bo Wan: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The Ordovician–Silurian transition experienced severe, but enigmatic, glaciation, as well as a paradoxical combination of mass extinction and species origination. Here we report a large and fast true polar wander (TPW) event that occurred 450–440 million years ago based on palaeomagnetic data from South China and compiled reliable palaeopoles from all major continents. Collectively, a ~50˚ wholesale rotation with maximum continental speeds of ~55 cm yr−1 is demonstrated. Multiple isolated continents moving rapidly, synchronously, and unidirectionally is less consistent with and plausible for relative plate motions than TPW. Palaeogeographic reconstructions constrained by TPW controlling for palaeolongitude explain the timing and migration of glacial centers across Gondwana, as well as the protracted end-Ordovician mass extinction. The global quadrature pattern of latitude change during TPW further explains why the extinction was accompanied by elevated levels of origination as some continents migrated into or remained in the amenable tropics.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35609-3

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