Magnetic anisotropy and fabric of some foliated rocks from S.E. Australia

Summary The magnetic anisotropy of foliated rocks of several types has been measured by the torque-meter method, and shows that the alignment of long axes of magnetic grains in rocks normally follows the pattern of foliation evident in field observations. In a sharp fold in a lit-par-lit formation the magnetic anisotropy indicated an otherwise undetected lineation independent of the bedding and superimposed upon the foliation determined by the layering. In two adamellites, each with two alignment patterns separated by an angle of 30° the magnetic data are shown to be consistent with two foliations but not with one foliation plus a lineation. Magnetic anisotropy data can be ambiguous for rocks in which two or more grain alignment processes have operated, but combined with other observations magnetic measurements can provide a valuable new tool in the study of rock fabrics.