Rapid Early Cambrian rotation of Gondwana

Based on the history of Mesozoic-Cenozoic plate motions, as well as simple dynamical considerations, a "speed limit" for tectonic plates has been suggested at approximately 20 cm/yr. Previous paleomagnetic data from the Early Cambrian of Gondwana are conflicting but generally imply rapid motions approaching that limit. Herein we describe results from a continuous paleomagnetic sampling of Lower to Middle Cambrian strata from the Amadeus Basin, central Australia. We find characteristic remanence directions that show an approximately 60 degrees declination shift through the section. Assuming a tectonically assembled Gondwana supercontinent by Early Cambrian time, this large vertical-axis rotation of its Australian sector corresponds to an equally large translation across paleolatitudes for its Brazilian and West African sectors. Analysis of all high-quality paleomagnetic data from Gondwana both confirms and constrains the 60 degrees rotation to have occurred toward the end of Early Cambrian time, at rates exceeding 16 (super +12) / (sub -8) cm/yr. These observations suggest that either nonuniformitarian plate tectonics or an episode of rapid true polar wander occurred during the Cambrian "explosion" of animal life.