Late Carboniferous Geomagnetic Field Events Recorded in Post‐Collisional Altenberg–Teplice Caldera, Variscan Belt

Abstract Characteristic remanent magnetizations isolated from the late Variscan Altenberg–Teplice Caldera exhibit paleomagnetic directions, ranging from those consistent with the expected primary Late Carboniferous geomagnetic field to intermediate directions that significantly diverge from the dipole states. Most of the examined samples of the syn‐caldera rhyolite dike swarm, portions of the intra‐caldera ignimbrite fill, the outflow ignimbrite, and the syn‐ to post‐caldera ring dike system appear to retain a primary thermoremanent magnetization, as supported by rock‐magnetic data. Certain parts of the intra‐caldera ignimbrites and younger syn‐ to post‐collapse ring dikes record intermediate directions, which we interpret as unrecognized field behavior intervals during the Late Carboniferous, within the Kiaman Reversed Polarity Superchron. Based on our new paleomagnetic results supported by cross‐cutting relationships, we propose the identification of previously unrecognized excursions within the Kiaman Superchron. These events are constrained by geochronology and occurred between approximately 314.7 and 312.6 million years ago during Chron PE5r. This study provides new paleomagnetic evidence that challenges the long‐standing assumption of generally reversed polarity over the ∼55‐million‐year duration of the Kiaman Superchron and offers new insights into the variability of geomagnetic behavior during this interval in Earth's history.