Cenozoic remagnetization of the Paleozoic rocks in the Kitakami massif of northeast Japan, and its tectonic implications

Secondary remanent magnetization is identified in the Paleozoic igneous and sedimentary rocks of the Kitakami massif. The secondary nature is shown by a negative fold test for the Permo–Carboniferous sedimentary rocks. The northwesterly paleomagnetic declination with moderate inclination (D=321.2°, I=56.5°, α95=5.2°, N=18) of this secondary remanent magnetization is almost parallel to the primary magnetization reported for the Cenozoic welded tuffs of northeast Japan, indicating that the Paleozoic rocks were subjected to remagnetization at any period between 62 and 16 Ma. The secondary magnetization of the serpentinized ultramafic rocks is carried by magnetite, which grew in veins and mesh rims of serpentine, whereas the carrier of the magnetization in limestones is fine-grained pyrrhotite. Combining this with the previously reported remagnetization of the Kitakami granitic rocks, it is suggested that rocks in the Kitakami massif were subjected to crystallization remanent magnetization at low-temperature conditions. Since serpentinization requires fluid migration, one of the most likely events is the eastward lateral migration of water into the Kitakami massif. We postulate a Cenozoic suturing of the Kitakami massif with the Asian continent as a plausible tectonic event for this fluid migration.