Magnetic record associated with tree ring density: Possible climate proxy |
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Authors: | Gunther Kletetschka Petr Pruner Daniela Venhodova Jaroslav Kadlec |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Geology, AS CR, Prague, 16502, Czech Republic;(2) Department of Physics, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA;(3) Code 691, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA |
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Abstract: | A magnetic signature of tree rings was tested as a potential paleo-climatic indicator. We examined wood from sequoia tree,
located in Mountain Home State Forest, California, whose tree ring record spans over the period 600 – 1700 A.D. We measured
low and high-field magnetic susceptibility, the natural remanent magnetization (NRM), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization
(SIRM), and stability against thermal and alternating field (AF) demagnetization. Magnetic investigation of the 200 mm long
sequoia material suggests that magnetic efficiency of natural remanence may be a sensitive paleoclimate indicator because
it is substantially higher (in average >1%) during the Medieval Warm Epoch (700–1300 A.D.) than during the Little Ice Age
(1300–1850 A.D.) where it is <1%. Diamagnetic behavior has been noted to be prevalent in regions with higher tree ring density.
The mineralogical nature of the remanence carrier was not directly detected but maghemite is suggested due to low coercivity
and absence of Verwey transition. Tree ring density, along with the wood's magnetic remanence efficiency, records the Little
Ice Age (LIA) well documented in Europe. Such a record suggests that the European LIA was a global phenomenon. Magnetic analysis
of the thermal stability reveals the blocking temperatures near 200 degree C. This phenomenon suggests that the remanent component
in this tree may be thermal in origin and was controlled by local thermal condition. |
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