GMAP2015 for Windows 7-8

USER MANUAL AND EXERCISES

Trond Helge Torsvik

Center for Earth Evolutions and Dynamics (CEED)

University of Oslo (Norway)

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Download gmap.zip from:

http://www.earthdynamics.org/software/

Software Installation:
(1) Unzip gmap.zip to C-drive and GMAP must be in c:\gmap with two sub-directories as seen below:

(2) If Gmap (or IAPD) as not ever been installed on your computer go to the Bennet Seup if needed
and run setup.exe

(3) Click on GMAP2015.exe to start the program (or create a shortcut and put on desktop)

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1. INTRODUCTION

GMAP is a state of the art computer program which performs all processing and plotting
tasks usually associated with the storage and presentation of palaeomagnetic pole positions, and
generation of palaeogeographic reconstructions. GMAP is menu-driven and easy to use; the user is
never far removed from the basic data from which palaeogeographic reconstructions are derived,
and therefore has a sense of total control over the program's performance.

GMAP can generate reconstructions based on individual palaeomagnetic poles, averaged

palaeomagnetic poles, and digitally derived smooth (APW) curves. Palaeogeographic reconstructions
can be saved to disk files, and later viewed in chronological order as `animations'.

GMAP is supplied with a full range of continental outlines. It is also possible to import new
continents via simple ASCII files or ARC GIS shape files.

The GMAP software system package was originally developed by Trond Torsvik at the
University of Bergen in 1982 and later with contributions from Lauri Pesonen, Mark Smethurst
(Torsvik & Smethurst 1989) and Pavel Doubrovine. Some GMAP routines are currently being ported
to GPlates (www.gplates.org) and this GMAP version is similar to earlier versions but can run under
Windows 7 and 8.

1.1 MAIN PROGRAMS AND FILE-TYPES

Main program
GMAP2014_Win7.exe Palaeogeographic reconstruction program

Main Data file types

*.C97 Continent outlines
*.VGP Files containing virtual geomagnetic poles (VGP)
*.A97 Animation files

1.2 ABBREVIATIONS

VGP VIRTUAL GEOMAGNETIC POLE

APW APPARENT POLAR WANDER
APWP APW PATH
CONTINENT A FILE CONTAINING LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES; THESE CAN
W.G. BE COASTLINES OR TERRAIN BOUNDARIES
α95 95 PERCENT CONFIDENCE CIRCLE ON MEAN REMANENCE
A95 95 PERCENT CONFIDENCE CIRCLE ON MEAN POLES
k FISHER (1953) PRECISION PARAMETER
dp,dm SEMI-AXES OF THE OVAL OF 95 PERCENT CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE
VGP
DEC MEAN REMANENCE DECLINATION
INC MEAN REMANENCE INCLINATION
GLAT LATITUDE OF SAMPLING SITE

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GLON LONGITUDE OF SAMPLING SITE
PLAT VGP LATITUDE
PLON VGP LONGITUDE

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2. DESCRIPTION OF GMAP

Select GMAP from the Program Manager Window option and double click the GMAP for
Windows icon. After start-up the main menu is displayed (Fig. 1). An option in the top menu or the
left-hand and right-hand panels (Fig. 2) may be selected through the use of the mouse and executed
by clicking the mouse.

FIGURE 1 Main menu GMAP

2.1 MAIN MENU OPTION (SUBOPTIONS)

Organize

OPTION EFFECT
Copy to Clipboard Copy graphics to Clipboard and you can later ‘Paste’ the graphics into a
drawing package in vector format.
Save as WMF file Save graphics as a vector WFM file and you can later open file in a drawing
package.
Plot Setting ADJUST VGP SCREEN SETTINGS
Exit END GMAP

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Projection

In GMAP you can select between 6 different projections. There is also a Spinning Globe (Orthogonal)
option. The latter is rotated by holding down the left-hand mouse button. Only implemented for
plotting CONTINENTS and VGPs (not Animation files) and can only plot one continental and VGP file
at the time.

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Continent

OPTION EFFECT
Open LOAD A CONTINENT FILE
Merge MERGE CONTINENT FILES IN MEMORY
Library DISPLAY CONTINENTAL LIBRARY FILES (see below)
Import Shapefile IMPORT AND DRAW AN ARCG-GIS SHAPE FILE
Save As SAVE A CONTINENT FILE
Draw SCREEN DISPLAY OF CONTINENT
Rotate ROTATE CONTINENT ACCORDING TO A PRE-DEFINED EULER-POLE

Continental files are located in c:\gmap\data\continents and they are typically named as 101_North
American craton_1100.C97. The leading number generally follows GPlates/Plates format followed by
a named description. The final numbers indicate from when (in million years) the shape of the
continent or terrane is valid. All continents can be selected interactively in the ‘CONTINENT Library’
option (see below). The library continents are those used in Torsvik et al. (2012).

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VGP

OPTION EFFECT
Open LOAD A VGP DATA FILE
Merge MERGE VGP FILES
Library SELECT VGP FILES FROM A PRECOMPILED LIBRARY (see below)
Save As SAVE A VGP DATA FILE
Draw SCREEN DISPLAY OF VGP DATA
Rotate ROTATE VGP ACCORDING TO A REDEFINED EULER-POLE
VGP Reconstruct MAKE A RECONSTRUCTION BASED ON A VGP
Table and Analysis SHOW/EDIT/MANIPULATE VGP IN TABLE FORM

VGP files are located in c:\gmap\data\VGPs and the interactive “VGP Library” option seen below in
located in c:\gmap\data\VGPs\Library Paths ESR2012. This library contain the files built in Torsvik et
al. (2012) and you can select between files with raw pole data (-Raw) or running mean APW paths
(_RM, 20 Myr window). The table to the right contains the same files as in the left-hand table but
clastic sediments are corrected for potential inclination shallowing using a flattening factor (f) of 0.6.
All corrected files are identified by _F6.

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Animation

OPTION EFFECT
Open LOAD AN ANIMATION FILE
Merge MERGE ANIMATION FILES
Draw SCREEN DISPLAY OF ANIMATION FILE
Save As SAVE AN ANIMATION FILE TO DISK
Table and Analysis SHOW/EDIT ANIMATION FILE IN TABLE FORM

GMAP also includes an animation library that is controlled with the “Animation Library” controller
that is located at the right-hand side of the startup form (see below). Pre-made reconstructions
(animations) are those of Torsvik et al (2012) and they are in a palaeomagnetic frame without any
true polar wander (TPW) corrections. Animations have been prepared in 5 Myr intervals back to 540
Ma. Type a reconstruction age and click ‘Apply’ or use arrows to go back and forth in time. To avoid
doing the entire world you can activate ‘Filter Animations’ and select the areas you want to be
reconstructed.

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Euler

OPTION EFFECT
Set Euler Pole DEFINE A EULER POLE AND ROTATION ANGLE
Rotate a point PERFORM AN EULER ROTATION
Calculate Euler Poles CALCULATE AN EULER POLE
Add Euler Poles CALCULATE AN EULER POLE BASED ON TWO SEPARATE EULER POLES

GPlates Utilities

OPTION EFFECT
Read GPlates Rotation File Read a standard GPlates formatted rotation file
(original format)
Calculate Plate Velocities Calculate plate velocities from GPlates Rotation File
Find or Calculate Euler Rotations Find raw data in GPlates file or calculate abslute
rotation parameters
Calculate GPlates Rotation File from VGPs From VGP file create the Euler data needed in
GPlates

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3.0 LEFT-HAND PANEL

PANEL OPTION EFFECT

Central SET LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE FOR PROJECTION CENTER, AND GRID SPACING
Meridian
Redraw CLOCK AFTER CHANGING CENRAL MERIDIAN OR GRD SPACING
Blank CHANGE BETWEEN BLANK ON AND BLANK OFF. BLANK ON IS DEFAULT, AND TO
PRESERVE A PICTURE DURING SUCCESSIVE LOADING OF
CONTINENTS (‘OPEN CONTINENT)’ THIS OPTION MUST
BE SET TO OFF. CLICK WITH MOUSE FOR THE
APPROPRIATE STATE
Scale SELECT SCALE (MAGNIFICATION) CENTRED AROUND ZOOM-CENTRE
CLICK WITH MOUSE AT THE APPROPRIATE SCALE VALUE (50-2000%)

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4.0 Continent/VGP/Animation

4.1 OPEN (CONTINENT, VGP or ANIMATION files)

A list of CONTINENT (file extension .C97), VGP (file extension .VGP) or ANIMATION (file
extension .A97) are displayed. Select the appropriate directory, drive and file name followed by <OK>.
A range of CONTINENT/VGP/ANIMATION files can be found in c:\gmap\data\continents,
c:\gmap\data\VGPs and c:\gmap\data\ANIMATIONS. The CONTINENTS are also found in the
ANIMATION directory but all files in this directory are ‘Read Only’ to avoid overwriting original
system files. CONTINENTS starting with a 3-digit number mainly follows GPlates (Plates) conventions

4.2 MERGE (CONTINENT, VGP or ANIMATION)

This option is identical to that described above, but the selected file will be merged with an existing
CONTINENT/VGP/ANIMATION file in memory. These combined data can later be saved to a disk-file
using option `SAVE AS’ (CONTINENT/VGP or ANIMATION). Note, however, that the maximum
permitted number of co-ordinates in a single continent outline is 30000 and 2000 data-points in a
VGP file.

4.3 SAVE AS (CONTINENT, VGP or ANIMATION)

The purpose of this routine is to save modified CONTINENT, VGP or ANIMATION data to disk files.
Merged CONTINENT files, EDITED CONTINENTS or rotated CONTINENT data can be saved under a
new file name. The latter is useful for constructing ancient terranes or storing palaeogeographic
maps. In option `DRAW CONTINENT' one can also add points/lines to the existing CONTINENT file
which can later be saved under this option.

4.4 ROTATE (CONTINENT or VGP)

Define euler-data before selecting this option, either manually using the `KEYBOARD INPUT' option in
the Euler-menu or from a file using the `OPEN' option. When rotating VGP's one can also rotate the
sampling site latitude and longitude, to permit the generation of proper error ovals on data in their
rotated positions.

Note that the CONTINENT outline/VGP's in memory are changed during rotation. To later perform a
rotation on the original data-set the original continent file must first be re-loaded. Compound
rotations can be performed using `KEYBOARD INPUT' and `ROTATE CONTINENT/VGP' repeatedly.

Example of compound rotation:

Problem: You wish to rotate the North American craton to its Devonian palaeoposition according to
palaeomagnetic data from BALTICA.

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(1) Select option `OPEN CONTINENT'

(2) Open North America craton (file = \data\continents\101_North American craton_1100.C97)

(If you now use option `DRAW CONTINENT', a map like Fig. 3A will appear on the screen)

(3) Use option `KEYBOARD INPUT' in the ‘Euler Rotations’ menu to register the rotation pole and
angle which corrects for the Mesozoic/Cenozoic opening of the North Atlantic (e.g. use a
classic Bullard et al. (1965) fit: c. 87 (latitude), 27 (longitude) and 37 (Euler-angle).

(4) Select option `ROTATE CONTINENT'. The continent outline will then be adjusted for the
opening of the North Atlantic (If you then use option `DRAW CONTINENT', a map like Fig. 3B
appears on the screen).

(5) Select option `OPEN VGP'.

(6) Open the fitted APW path for BALTICA/Europe (e.g. file data\VGPs\Baltica_Europe_2012.vgp
supplied with the GMAP package).

(7) Select option `TABLE VGP' in the VGP menu.

(8) Select reference pole (e.g. pole 41 corresponding to an age of 400 Ma) by clicking the
appropriate line at the line-number column.

(9) Select sub-option `RECONSTRUCT'.

Select south-pole and click the <OK> option.

Result

Continent data, already corrected for the opening of the North Atlantic is rotated by an amount
which brings the selected reference VGP to the Southpole. Note that the Euler Rotation Pole
required to do this will become the current Euler Pole setting which is displayed below the main
menu, and can be used by option `ROTATE CONTINENT' to position other continents in a Devonian
reconstructed position. North American craton will be displayed on the screen in a Devonian (400
Ma) configuration in ‘European’ co-ordinates.

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FIGURE 3 Example of compound rotation. (A) North-American craton displayed in present position.
(B) Rotated into a Bullard et al. fit (lat=87, long=27, angle=37) with Europe, taking account of the
opening of the North Atlantic.(C) The 'corrected' NAM positioned according to pole 41 in VGP file
\data\VGPs\Baltica_Europe_2012.

4.5 VGP RECONSTRUCT

This option performs a reconstruction based on a VGP inputted from the keyboard. Enter VGP
latitude and longitude and state whether it is a SOUTH (s) or NORTH (n) pole.

Example of how to produce a display for a map of the Permian palaeo-position for Baltica:

1. Load BALTICA (file = \data\continents\302_Baltica_1100.C97) using `OPEN CONTINENT'

2. Select option `VGP RECONSTRUCT' and enter -45 (VGP latitude) and 340 (VGP Longitude)

3. Select South-pole and click on <OK>.

4. BALTICA will be displayed in `DRAW CONTINENT' in its PERMIAN position (see below).

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4.6 DRAW CONTINENT (or VGP & ANIMATION)

In this option a CONTINENT, VGP or ANIMATION file is displayed on the screen using the pre-defined
projection. The plot is centered on a `zoom-center', which by default is 0,0 (LAT,LONG). Blanking is
ON by default.

5.0 Euler Rotations

5.1 SET EULER POLE

This option enables the input of an Euler rotation pole from the keyboard which can subsequently be
used by options `ROTATE CONTINENT (or VGP)' or `EULER ROTATION'.

5.2 ROTATE A POINT

This utility routine performs Euler-rotations on VGP's entered interactively from the keyboard. The
currently registered Euler Pole is used.

5.3 CALCULATE EULER POLES

This option enables calculation of an Euler rotation pole based on manual input of two geographic
point (co-ordinates) or poles. Enter Latitude (LAT) and Longitude (LONG) for pole A and B, and the
resultant rotation pole (Latitude & Longitude) and amount of rotation (Angle) will be displayed.

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5.4 ADD EULER POLES

This option add/concatenates two Euler poles into a single resultant Euler pole. Enter latitude,
longitude and angle for the two Euler poles and click on <Calculate>.

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6. TABLE VGP

This is one of the most frequently used options in GMAP. Upon selecting this option the following
table is displayed:

Column#
1- Nr. Pole number
2Q Comment Combined character string of Van der Voo classification/grading (1-7) and and
pole information. This string is important and controls weighting in the fitting of
smooth APW paths. For example a pole with `Q' factor = 7 are entered as `7'
3- DEC Remanence Declination
4- INC Remanence Inclination
5- a95 95 % confidence circle on mean remanence direction
6- GLAT Latitude of sampling site
7- GLON Longitude of sampling site
8- PLAT Latitude of VGP
9- PLON Longitude of VGP
10- dp Half-angle of the confidence on the VGP in the direction of the palaeo-meridian.
This column is also used to store other parameters
11- dm Half-angle of the confidence on the VGP perpendicular to the palaeo-meridian
This column is also used to store other parameters
12- AGE VGP age. All poles must be assigned an age if a smooth path is to be fitted to
them. During hard-copying of VGP data the age will be printed next to the pole.

Note that VGP files imported from the Global Palaeomagnetic Database (‘Organize’, ’Import’)
substitute column #2 with DEMAGCODE and other information. Column #12 (AGE) is a mean of Low
and high magnetic age stated in the database.

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6.1 MAIN MENU AND SUBOPTIONS

OPTION/SUBOPTION EFFECT
Organize
Open Open a VGP file
Save Save VGP File
Save As Save VGP with a new name
New Create a new VGP file.
Import Import VGPs from:
• Precambrian paleomagnetic database
• IAGA global paleomagnetic database
• IAPD
Exit Return to main menu

Edit
Copy Selection to Clipboard Copy rows to clipboard and e.g. paste into e.g. Excel.
Select entire Table to copy to Clipboard by clicking
uppermost left cell
Delete row(s) Delete one or several entries in the Table. Select pole
by clicking on numerical row code at the first
column. Multi-select by Crtl or SHIFT
Add a row Add a pole to the Table
Sort Ages Increasing Sort ages
Sort Ages Decreasing Sort ages
Invert row(s) Invert VGP polarity of one or several poles.
Invert all rows Invert VGP polarity of all poles
Insert PlateId for all VGP’s (Dm column) Fills the Dm column with continental plate id’s as in
Insert Flattening factor (f) for all VGPs (Dp GPLates
column) Fills the Dp column with flattening factor (f). Typical
used for clastic sediment poles and you can later
recalculate the pole based on the given f-factor.

Calculate
Pole Statistics Calculate mean of the listed VGP’s (A95)
Calculate poles Determine the palaeomagnetic pole-position for all
data in the Table. Declination, inclination and
sampling position present in data-set.

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 Pole Reference Calculate amount of rotation and flattening.
Enter Reference Pole and A95
Calculate Dec / Inc Calculate declination and inclination
Based on VGP latitude & longitude and sampling
position
Paleolatitude Reference Enter latitude & longitude (optional) for which
palaeolatitudes are to be determined. Note that
latitude & longitude will replace original sampling
co/ordinates in the VGP Table. This enables the
operator to calculate ‘local’ declination and
inclinations at the selected reference locality.
Single VGP Calculation Calculate a pole based on declination, inclination and
sampling location
Non-dipole field correction Type G1 and G2 (octupole) contribution and a new
inclination and pole will be calculated for the entire
table
Inclination Error Correction (fix f-value al Type f (flattening factor) and inclination and pole will
rows) be recalculated
Inclination Error Correction (f-value from Inclination and pole recalculated from f-value in dp
dp column) column

Reconstruct Perform a reconstruction based on a VGP in the table

Note - Load a continent prior to this operation
• Select reconstruction pole by clicking on
numerical row code at the first column
• Select North or South pole
• Resulting reconstruction will be displayed in
mode ‘DRAW CONTINENT’

Plot
Dec-Inc Stereoplot (Wulf) Display declination and inclinations in a Wulf plot
Palaeolatitude Calculate and display latitudes based on inclination
Histograms (Means) Display data in histograms (use any column in Table)
Apparent Polar Wander Calculate APW (from running mean or spline path)
and display in X-Y plot

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APW Paths
Build Running Mean Path Fit a smooth APW path to the data in the Table using
running means
Build a Spline Path Fit a smooth APW path to the data in the Table using
splines

Voo Grading (Q)

Timescale (not updated)

Tools
Calculate Euler poles for VGPs Calculate Euler poles for entire Table. Select North
or South pole.
Check poles Cross-checking type pole and calculated from dec,
inc and location
Interpolate VGPs Interpolating by typing interval
Non-dipole Field vs. Latitude Draw a graph based on G1 and G2
Inclination Error vs. Latitude Draw a graph based on f (flattening factor)
Velocity Engage calculation of velocties from VGPs (very old
routine)

Note: All alterations to data in the Table will only affect the dataset in memory, and not on the disk.
To save alterations made in ‘TABLE VGP’ to disk, use option ‘SAVE AS (VGP)’ in the main menu.

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6.2 IMPORT

6.2.1. Precambrian paleomagnetic database

6.2.2. IAGA global paleomagnetic database

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6.2 POLE REFERENCE

This option is useful when dealing with displaced and rotated terranes. A
reference pole in the term of latitude, longitude and A95 is required

Based on this reference pole, the declination differences between the reference
and tabulated data are calculated. This provides estimates of the potential
rotation angle (about a vertical axis) of each pole in the table relative to the
reference pole. Differences in inclination are also calculated, which provide
estimates of palaeolatitudinal differences (or remanence flattening).

When using the `PRINT TABLE' option (above) after performing this calculation, a detailed listing of
estimated rotation and flattening angles together with the associated errors will be printed. On the
screen the data will be displayed from column 12 and onwards.

6.3 RECONSTRUCT

This is the most heavily used routine in performing reconstruction’s based on palaeomagnetic data.
This function is also available in the main menu under the name `VGP RECONSTRUCT'.

In GMAP, the euler-pole and rotation angle which is required to rotate the selected VGP to the
present geographic NORTH (n) or SOUTH (s) POLE is determined and becomes the current setting for
the euler rotation listed under the main menu.

The user must note that any pole-position can result in two possible palaeo-positions for a continent,
one opposite to the other, depending on the poles polarity. Therefore, attention should be paid at
all times to the polarity of the VGP's in the table, so that proper account can be taken of it. Note that
the function below, `APW PATH', requires that all the VGP's in the table have the same polarity.

In order to use this option, first load a VGP file and the contenent you wish to reconstruct. Click in
the table on the line (pole) you wish to use for reconsruction.

6.4 APW PATH

To aid the definition of APW trends within tectonic units and to compare such trends between
tectonic units GMAPW includes a method of fitting smooth path to a series of VGP's, of various ages,

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which has a location and time progression. Path fitting constitutes interpolation; reducing data sets
to a simpler, and to some extent interpreted, form.

A number of numerical methods for fitting smooth paths to palaeomagnetic poles have been offered
in the literature (Gould, 1969; Parker and Denham, 1979; Thompson and Clark, 1981, 1982; Clark and
Thompson, 1984; Jupp and Kent, 1987). In GMAP we have used the method of Jupp and Kent (1987)
because it is statistically rigorous, is independent of the co-ordinate system, and is most sympathetic
to the concept of APW. The method aims to fit `spherical smoothed splines' to a given data-set,
consisting of pole positions and error parameter.

It is possible to generate a number of paths with different levels of smoothing. This is done by
adjusting a smoothing parameter used by the computer program. In GMAP the data can be
individually weighted according to their alfa95, so that the route taken by the smooth path through
the data set will depend on both the distribution of the data on the globe and the standard error for
each of the palaeopole positions. The lower the reported angular error for a pole position, the closer
the curve will pass by it. We have also implemented a weighting procedure based on the Van der
Voo's (1988) reliability index `Q' (grades 1 to 7; least to most reliable).

It is clear that the angular error associated with a particular palaeomagnetic pole position is far from
an adequate description of the quality or reliability of that pole. For example, uncertainty in the age
of the result has a direct bearing on the angular uncertainty which should be associated with it, since
apparent polar wander might be continuing within the time period of uncertainty. Instead of
weighting pole positions solely on the basis of criterion (2) in Van der Voo's reliability scheme (alfa95),
it is informative to weight the data in proportion to their 'Quality factors'. This causes the smooth
path to pass close to the data which score `7', full-marks, and be only gently guided by those data
with lower reliabilities.

GENERATION OF APW PATHS

(1) Load a VGP file via the main-menu option `OPEN VGP' (e.g. file
\data\VGPs\NorthAmerica2008_ROG.vgp).

(2) Select option `TABLE VGP'

(3) Select sub-option `SPLINE FITTING'

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(4) Select (a) No weighting

(b) Weighting according to `Q' factor

(c) Weighting according to alfa95

If option `b' is selected, the `Q' factor for every VGP in the table must be encoded in the first
character of the VGP `code' (see section 3.8). If a `Q' factor is not present included, `Q' will be set to
zero reliability.

If option `c' is selected, the alfa95 must be included in the table of data.

(5) Input SMOOTHING PARAMETER (value 10 to 10000)

A high value results in extreme smoothing. Values in the order of 100 to 200 generally result in
moderate smoothing (Fig. 11).

(6) Input VGP FILE-NAME for the output fitted path.

The fitted path, when generated, will be displayed on the graphic screen in option `DRAW VGP' (3.9)
in the main menu.

Note:

The original VGP file is ‘shut down’ and replaced with the new APW file (spline file).

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FIGURE 10 `SPLINE FITTING' option. Left: File \data\VGPs\NorthAmerica2008_ROG.vgp plotted with
dp/dm ovals. Right: Spline fitting with smoothing parameter=200 and weighted by alfa95.

FIGURE 10 `MOVING AVERAGE' option on file \data\VGPs\NorthAmerica2008_ROG.vgp and plotted

with A95 ovals.

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7. TABLE ANIMATION

This option is used to edit (use option ‘OPEN ANIMATION’) or create animation files. The main menu
consists of the following options:

OPTION (SUBOPTION) EFFECT

File
New Create a new file
Export
To EXCEL
To GMT (all reconstructed)
To GPlates rotation format
Copy Euler Poles to VGP Copy Euler poles to memory and display with
“DRAW VGP”
Exit

Edit
Edit a row Edit a single line. Select line by clicking on
numerical row code at the first column
Add a row Add a row to the Table
Delete a row Delete one or several lines. Select line(s) by
clicking on numerical row code at the first
column or drag the mouse to include several
lines
Sort Ages

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 Subsitute All Continents with same continent

Add Euler Poles

Add Euler Rotation of Selected Row to All Example: All supplied animations are
Rows (negative angle) palaeomagnetic reconstructions in a South
Africa frame (plate 701). If you want to display
the data relative a fix North america, then click
the row ‘101North America….’ And engage this
option. If you have a new pole from North
America at this time engage ‘VGP rotate’ to
make animation file absolute based on your new
pole.
Add Euler Rotation to all Rows Add the same Euler to all rows
Add Euler Rotation to Selected Rows
Move Continents East or Westward As above but rotating about 90 or -90 so only
change longitude if animation file is based on
palaeomagnetic data (calibrating longitude)

VGP Rotate Supplied animation file are ‘absolute’ but if first

rotated to a continent held fix (see ‘Add Euler
Poles’above) then you can use a VGP from that
continent to all rows in the animation file and
thus make your own ‘absolute’ reconstruction.

The input-format in ANIMATION files is as follows:

1 CON Name of continent (`.CON') file

2 LAT Latitude of Euler Pole

3 LONG Longitude of Euler Pole

4 ANGLE Rotation angle about Euler Pole (+)=clockwise;(-)=counterclockwise

5 COMMENT Comment (any text)

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8. VELOCITY

The main purpose of this option is to calculate latitudinal drift-rates and rotational velocities for
continents or terranes. This option (old and not updated yet) is found in ‘VGP Table’ and ‘Tools’ and
options are as follows:

OPTION/SUBOPTIONS EFFECT
Exit Return to ‘VGP Table’ menu
VGP
Open VGP file Open a VGP file from disk
Merge VGP file Open a VGP file from disk; displayed together
with existing VGP data in subsequent graphic
actions
Analysis 1: Velocity and Angular Rates Calculate and displays palaeolatitude, drift-rates
and angular rotation
Analysis 2: APW rates Calculate and displays APW
HPGL (write to file) Copy graphics to HPGL plotter or file

Print
Settings Set system parameters that control the program
performance (automatically stored during ‘Exit’)

Timescale
Use Gradstein et al. (2004) Gradstein et al. (2004)
Build your own Modify timescale (auto-saved to a system file)

Polarity Bias

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3.20.1 DRIFT/ANGULAR RATES

Based on a sequence of ordered (sorted with increasing magnetic ages) VGP poles (either original
data or APW spline data) this option provides an analysis and display of palaeo-latitudes for a given
reference locality (see 3.20.2) through geological time (top diagram in Fig. 16).

Analysis of APW paths:

If the VGP file contains an APW or ‘spline’ path (cf. 3.11.3) parameter `APW path or spline’ (see
‘SETTINGS’; cf. 3.20.2) and parameter ‘Plot declination’ should be set to on. This will produce a
display as illustrated in Fig. 16 (VGP file B20092; used for Baltica by Torsvik et. al. 1992) where
declinations (according to a reference locality: 60oN and 10oE in our example) are plotted along the
latitudinal drift-curve (i.e. a natural cubic spline curve). Based on the setting of the `Time Window'
parameter (cf. 3.20.2) this option calculates latitudinal drift-rates (in cm/y) and rotational velocities
(in o/Ma). Drift-rates are automatically seperated into Northward (UPPER part of diagram) or
Southward (LOWER part of diagram) movements (middle diagram in Fig. 16), whereas rotational
velocities are separated as clockwise (UPPER part of diagram) or counter-clockwise (LOWER part of
diagram) rotations.

Analysis of original data:

If the VGP file contains original data, the parameters `Original data’ and ‘Plot latitude error’ (cf.
‘SETTINGS’; 3.20.2) should be set to on. This produces a display as illustrated in Fig. 17 (VGP file
Bal92; used for Baltica by Torsvik et. al. 1992) where palaeo-latitudes (according to the reference
locality) are plotted with error bars (based on alfa95).

FIG 16 Example of option `VELOCITY' (VGP file:B20092) using an APW spline path.

FIG 17 Example of option `VELOCITY' (VGP file:BAL92) using original data.

3.20.2 SETTINGS

This option permits the adjustment of parameters which control the `Velocity' option performance.
The following parameters can be changed/updated:

PARAMETER FUNCTION

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Reference latitude (in degrees) Palaeolatitudes, drift-rates and angular velocities Reference
longitude (in degrees) are always calculated with respect to the selected
reference locality

Start Time (in Ma) Whenever a VGP file is loaded the program tests for

End Time (in Ma) minimum (start)and maximum (end) age range, and the
horizontal time-axis (see Fig. 16) is set up accordingly.
The operator can, however, change the START and
END times after having loaded a VGP file. Useful
when combining several VGP files with different Start and
End times (i.e. plot at same scale)

Time window (in Ma) Drift-rates and rotational velocities are averaged within the
setting of this parameter

Invert Latitudes (Yes or No) Dependent on the choice of VGP polarity the operator may
have to invert latitude estimates. E,g. file B20092 is a
VGP south-pole file and ‘Invert Latitudes’ has to be set to
‘Yes’ in order to display the latitudinal movements of
Baltica correctly.

Plot Declination or Latitude error Set ‘Plot declination’ to ON when analysing APW paths:

Use ‘Latitude Error’ to include latitude error bars for

original VGP data (calculate error bars from INC+95
to INC-95).

APW path/spline or Original data Set ‘APW path/spline’ to ON when analysing APW paths

Expanded Latitude plot (Yes/ No) Display of latitudinal plot (top diagram) two times normal
size when set to YES

Amplitude Latitude Plot (in Deg) Set maximum amplitude (90o<value>0o)

Amplitude drift-velocity (in cm/yr) Set maximum amplitude (Value>0 cm/yr)

Amplitude rotation plot (in o/Ma) Set amplitude (Value>0 Deg/Ma)

Amplitude CUM APW (in Deg) Set amplitude (value >0o)

(used in option ‘APW rates)

Amplitude APW rate (in cm/year) Set amplitude (value>0 cm/yr)

(used in option ‘APW rates’)

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