Brunhes time scales and the interpretation of climatic change

Two new δ¹⁸O time scales have been developed for the Brunhes Epoch using equatorial Pacific core V28-238. The first is based on a constant accumulation rate of aluminum, an assumption which has been shown to be acceptable for the last 360,000 years of the record by comparison with ²³⁰Th ages determined via the continuous strip-sample technique. The aluminum scale yields an age of 138,000 years for termination II and 693,000 years for the Brunhes-Matuyama reversal. Spectral and cross spectral analysis of the δ¹⁸O records of V28-238 and a detailed composite Indian Ocean record, using the aluminum time scale as well as two earlier time scales, indicates that the Pleistocene climate has been forced by periodic fluctuations of the earth's obliquity and precession. Based on this result, the second new time scale (TWEAQ) has been derived by tuning the δ¹⁸O record of V28-238 to the record of the earth's obliquity. TWEAQ yields an age of 127,000 years for termination II and 728,000 years for the Brunhes-Matuyama reversal. Spectral analysis of the δ¹⁸O record dated by TWEAQ indicates that 30% of the variance of the ice volume record can be ascribed to linear forcing by the earth's orbital parameters, but the trend of the data is consistent with a stochastic model.     

Reversals of the earth's magnetic field: An attempt at a relaxation model

A mathematical model that might be relevant to the dynamic properties of the earth's dynamo is constructed. The model involves one mechanical variable (convection velocity at constant geometry) and two electromagnetic degrees of freedom. It represents a generalization of the Rikitake coupled dynamos. We first show that the problem involves two very different time scales, a fast MHD scale and a slow inductive scale. Using the ratio of these scales as an expansion parameter, we solve analytically the non-linear differential system which describes the dynamics of our model. We first isolate a slow motion, and we study its stability against fast MHD ocillations. For large amplitudes, we show how to construct an expansion in the drift of the fast orbit. We survey in some detail the various possible regimes. Among them, we find a typical “ratchet like” relaxation behaviour, which may perhaps explain the very sudden reversals of the earth's field. Orders of magnitude and possible generalizations are briefly sketched.     

Oceanic area's influence on the range of multi-annual variations of the earth's magnetic field in France

The pluri-annual variations of the earth's magnetic field in France increase their range of influence from East to West. This leads to presume a discontinuity of electric conductivities at the transition from the continental to the oceanic area.     

Processing of magnetotelluric data

The processing of magnetotelluric data involves concepts from electromagnetic theory, time series analysis and linear systems theory for reducing natural electric and magnetic field variations recorded at the earth's surface to forms suitable for studying the electrical properties of the earth's interior.The electromagnetic field relations lead to either a scalar transfer impedance which couples an electric component to an orthogonal magnetic component at the surface of a plane-layered earth, or a tensor transfer impedance which couples each electric component to both magnetic components in the vicinity of a lateral inhomogeneity.A number of time series spectral analysis methods can be used for estimating the complex spectral coefficients of the various field quantities. These in turn are used for estimating the nature of the transfer function or tensor impedance. For two dimensional situations, the tensor impedance can be rotated to determine the principal directions of the electrical structure.In general for real data, estimates of the apparent resistivity are more stable when calculated from the tensor elements rather than from simple orthogonal field ratios (Cagniard estimates), even when the fields are measured in the principal coordinates.     

A paleomagnetic conglomerate test using the Abee E4 meteorite

The meteorite Abee is a type 4 enstatite chondrite with many centimeter-size clasts. The paleomagnetic conglomerate test was applied to these clasts, to study the thermal and magnetic history of the meteorite. The directions of magnetization in mutually oriented clasts are significantly different, suggesting the meteorite was not reheated to temperatures much above 100°C during or after accretion. Paleointensity estimates were made using Thellier's method. Interior samples which were probably not reheated during entry into the earth's atmosphere show paleointensities of several oersteds. The fusion crust is also strongly magnetized, showing paleointensities up to 60 Oe.     

The significance of ferroelectric phase transitions for the Earth and planetary interiors

With the compelling evidence for orthorhombic perovskite ABO₃ structures in a major part of the earth's mantle, the question of whether any of these are ferroelectric (FE) or antiferroelectric should be of supreme importance. To answer this question the authors have conducted dielectric property studies at pressures up to 5.5 GPa on single crystals and polycrystalline aggregates of BaTiO₃ as well as other FE materials representing FE polarization mechanisms. The results indicate that: (1) h.p.-induced FE phases are indeed likely to play an important part in the earth's mantle; and (2) existing FE state, occuring as elastic and dielectric inhomogeneities, can persist to much higher pressures than expected on the basis of the pressure dependence of isolated and unclamped FE crystals. It is suggested that the presence of FE states in the earth's mantle may be responsible for some of its anomalous elastic and dielectric features, especially its attenuating properties. It is conjectured that effects of FE states on properties of the Jovian planets might even be more prominant, especially those involving dielectric constant and polarization.     

Spherical harmonic analysis of the Navier-Stokes equation in magnetofluid dynamics

The equation of motion (Navier-Stokes equation) for a uniformly rotating, compressible, magnetic, viscous fluid is analyzed in terms of infinite series of spherical surface harmonics. Differential equations are obtained for the radial functions of the poloidal and toroidal harmonics of the velocity, corresponding to those obtained by Bullard and Gellman for the magnetic field from the electromagnetic induction equation. This new analysis opens the way for the dynamical problem of electromagnetic induction in the earth's core to be considered by the spherical harmonic method.     

An analogue model for studying magnetic variations induced by ocean waves

The scale factors to permit a laboratory analogue model study of the problem of magnetic fields induced by ocean waves in the earth's field are derived. An analogue model employing surface fluid waves in mercury to simulate ocean waves is described. In the analogue model, magnetic field measurements were made 1 cm above a 2 cm deep model mercury ocean for a wave period of 0.21 s. This model simulates measurements 38 m above the surface of a shallow ocean 78 m deep for a wave period of 13 s. The validity of the analogue modelling technique is established by the good agreement obtained in comparing the analogue model measurements of the induced magnetic fields with fields using Podney's expression for an ocean of finite depth.     

Measurements of recent geomagnetic secular variation in southeastern Australia and the question of dipole wobble

Archaeomagnetic and radiocarbon measurements on a series of ancient Aboriginal fireplaces and burnt tree-stump sites in southeastern Australia are presented, and an outline of changes in the local direction of the earth's magnetic field over the last 1500 years is offered.An analysis of these new data from the southern hemisphere and published data for the northern hemisphere indicates that a large change occurred in the orientation of the geomagnetic dipolar axis between about 1400 and 1650 A.D.     

Sedimentary basin development in the Archaean

The time history and magnitude of the subsidence in a sedimentary basin depends on the extent to which the lithosphere is thinned by stretching and on its original thickness. Hence the history and stratigraphic thickness of early Precambrian sedimentary basins, preserved as greenstone belts, should provide estimates of lithospheric thickness during the first half of the earth's history. Only the thickness of shallow-water sediments deposited without faulting is of relevance, and the best available estimates are compatible with all lithospheric thicknesses which have been suggested. The same is true of the estimates of the duration of the subsidence. Nonetheless radiometric dating can probably now provide estimates of the duration of the subsidence which are sufficiently accurate to constrain the models of the earth's thermal history if carried out for this purpose.     

Techniques and instrumentation for study of natural electromagnetic induction at sea

Electromagnetic fluctuations in the ocean have external sources above (ionospheric) and below (secular variation of the earth's magnetic field), and internal, purely oceanic sources associated with interaction between water velocity fields and the earth's field. Energy diagrams indicative of the electromagnetic activity in the sea are presented. From the latter, estimates of the resolution required in electromagnetic research at sea can be made. Absolute minima of 1 γ and 0.05 μV/m are necessary for magnetic and electric fields, respectively. Because the ocean shields overhead sources at frequencies above a few hundred c/h and because motional fields have weak signatures, a resolution at least 10 times higher would considerably enhance the scope of such research.The response of electric field instruments to motionally induced fields depends upon whether they are fixed or drifting, but both types respond similarly to fields of external origin.The most stringent limitation to electric field sampling in the sea is the difficulty in achieving low-noise electrical continuity between measuring circuits and sea water. Even the best matched silver—silver chloride electrodes introduce variable electrochemical signals hard to maintain below a millivolt. These mask very low frequency signals unless sophisticated techniques such as electrode switching are used.     

P-wave velocities in the earth's core: An interim report

Recent observations of core phases made at conventional stations and seismograph arrays are summarized and evaluated to produce a series of conclusions concerning the P-wave velocity structure of the earth's core. Limits are suggested for allowable variations in P velocity in various parts of the core. The prime conclusion is that observations that previously demanded velocity discontinuities in the lower part of the outer core may now be explained adequately on a scattering hypothesis, and that in models where parametric simplicity is desired, the earth's core may be approximated by a two-layered model, with the P-wave velocity varying continuously in each layer.     

On the equations of state of high-pressure solid phases

A practical scheme by which one can construct equations of state of high-pressure solid phases that cannot be determined experimentally given the present state of technology, is proposed and illustrated with three examples for its possible application to the study of elasticity and the constitution of the earth's mantle.     

The mass and moment of inertia of the Earth

Recent revisions of geodetic and astronomical constants by the International Association of Geodesy and the International Astronomical Union lead to improved values for the earth's mass and moment of inertia. Corrections to be applied to these values before they are used as constraints in the inversion of seismic data are discussed.     

Variations in the cosmic ray fluxes,modulated by the solar and terrestrial magnetic fields,and climate changes. Part 3: A time interval of 1.5 Myr,including the pleistocene

The most reliable data on a change in the intensity of cosmic rays and geomagnetic field on large time scales have been analyzed, and the relations between changes in these processes and climate during the last 1.5 Myr have been studied. An analysis indicated that the climate of the Earth is affected by changes in the Earth’s orbit parameters and geomagnetic dipole values; however, the climate responds to these changes with a delay of 10 kyr and immediately, respectively. In this case about two thirds of the effect of eccentricity on ¹⁸O is implemented via an intermediate chain: virtual axial dipole moment, changes in which can be related to changes in eccentricity. Thus, an analysis of the accumulated data on the processes, proceeding in the Earth’s atmosphere during the interaction with cosmic rays on the scales of several years to several hundreds of thousand years, indicates that the cosmophysical factor of influence on climate cannot be rejected. To make the conclusion more convincing, it is necessary to collect data for the studied time interval in a much wider region, to more accurately date samples, and to study the response of the climatic system to the external influence.     

The Chandler annual resonance and its possible geophysical significance

The secular decrease of the earth's rotation rate has caused the Chandler and annual modes of the earth's wobble to resonate in the past. The physics of the resonance is discussed as well as its thermal impact on the mantle. Energy of the order of 10²⁶ erg/year were dissipated in the upper mantle during the resonance. Estimates of the epoch and duration of the resonance place them at about 185 m.y. ago and about 10 m.y., respectively. The possibility of a causal connection between the resonance and the onset of continental drift is suggested.     

Gas-mineral equilibria and a possible geochemical model of the earth's interior

The study of the thermodynamic regime of metamorphism and magmatism has been based on mineralogical thermometry and barometry and calculations of the oxidation-reduction, hydration-dehydration and carbonatization-decarbonatization reactions. The origin of the fluids is considered in connection with the hydride-carbide-oxide structure of the earth's interior.     

A model for the coast-effect

A model for the coast-effect of geomagnetism is presented, in which the horizontal magnetic field induces currents in a circuit including a thin finite ocean. The currents flow horizontally across the ocean, vertically down into the earth, back through the deep interior of the earth, and vertically up to the ocean to complete the current loop. The upper layers of the earth are given non-zero conductivity, allowing the possibility of such current loops.A two-dimensional model involving such currents has been worked out analytically, and it is found that a significant induced magnetic field at the seafloor can be obtained with a reasonable conductivity in the earth's upper layers. A three-dimensional model has also been worked out numerically. It is found that the induced vertical component of magnetic field is of comparable magnitude to the horizontal component induced normal to the coast, whereas the horizontal component parallel to the coast is small. These relations are required to explain the observation of Parkinson arrows.     

A recording system for the Earth's telluric field with either analog or numerical output

We describe a telluric recording system which gives a record with high sensitivity and fidelity of the earth's telluric field over short distances. This system, which has been tested many times during the last two years, uses active filtering to suppress natural or artificial noise from the phenomenon considered.     

Paleomagnetic excursion recorded in latest Pleistocene deep-sea sediments,Gulf of Mexico

Paleomagnetic and/or micropaleontological studies have been carried out on approximately 28 sedimentary cores of latest Pleistocene age from the Gulf of Mexico. Sedimentation rates range from 9 cm to 20 cm/1000 yr. A distinct excursion in the earth's magnetic field occurs in the upper parts of 8 of 15 cores for which paleomagnetic studies were conducted and is independently correlated with planktonic foraminiferal zones. An inclination change to zero or negative inclination is often associated with a declination change. The age of the excursion was determined by extrapolation of sedimentation rates from the Z-Y paleontological boundary which is dated at 11,000 B.P. The magnetic excursion occurred between 12,500 and 17,000 yr ago within the upper part of zone Y. This falls within the age range of the Laschamp Event as originally defined.