Chemical remagnetization acquisition processes: case study of the Saharan basins (Algeria)

In Ordovician and Silurian sedimentary formations of the Murzuq basin (Saharan platform, Algeria), different remagnetization processes have been highlighted. These magnetic overprints totally replaced the primary magnetization. They are mainly due to chemical phenomena. Even in a site affected by contact metamorphism during Devonian, chemical changes, associated to the acquisition of the thermo-remanent overprint, were important, affecting the characteristics of the magnetite grains. In the remaining sites, remagnetizations of Cenozoic age have also a chemical origin and are carried by magnetite as well as by hematite. Contrary to what is generally deemed, these remagnetizations processes appeared limited to very short duration of acquisition, and to very local geographical extension.