The paleomagnetic record from deep-sea sediment cores

The paleomagnetic record of deep-sea sediment cores is compared with that which would be expected from our knowledge of the Earth's magnetic field. It is found that some of the scatter in directions of magnetization obtained from deep-sea cores is removed in cores with very low sedimentation rate, the cause being that the secular variation of the Earth's magnetic field is more completely averaged out over the finite size of each sample, when these samples comprise a longer time span of sedimentation. Corrections have been applied to the results from a series of cores in order to obtain the inclination of the average direction of magnetization from the average inclination and the scatter of inclination. These corrected inclination values confirm the hypothesis that the average Earth's field over the past few million years has been similar to an axial dipole displaced towards the North Pole. The amount of displacement obtained was 168 km. The record of short-period polarity intervals within the Brunhes, the Matuyama and the Gauss epochs was studied. It was shown that these intervals are very scattered in position. It is thought that some hitherto undiscovered short-period polarity intervals may be responsible for part of the scatter, but it is also highly likely that many samples give spurious reversals (i.e., ones not caused by the Earth's magnetic field).The possible correlation between climatic changes and the Earth's magnetic field is examined. It is concluded that the cores which show correlations between direction and/or intensity of magnetization and climatic indicators, thus suggesting the possible correlation between climate and the Earth's magnetic field, are not accurately recording the relevant parameters of the Earth's magnetic field. The correlation must be caused by climatic effects which have a direct influence on the magnetization of the sediments.Very little is known about the mechanisms of magnetization in deep-sea sediment cores, and there are several unexplained phenomena, such as the fact that many cores have maximum susceptibilities which are vertical, and the fact that cores differ widely in their ability to record accurately the Earth's magnetic field.     

Magnetic stratigraphy of Lake Michigan sediments obtained from cores of lacustrine clay

Postglacial and lacustrine sediments from Lake Michigan have been paleomagnetically investigated. The primary goal was to test the feasibility of correlation between several cores in terms of their magnetic signatures. After alternating field and thermal demagnetizations, inclination and relative declination values were obtained that show characteristic short-term fluctuations. Major features, including changes in the magnetic intensity of the samples, correlate well in three of the longer cores, in good agreement with independent lithostratigraphic determinations. In addition, we have been able to detect local disconformities that appear as interruptions of the magnetic record. A continuous record of normal polarity has been found, extending from the present day to 13,000 ¹⁴C vears BP. No reversals were recorded, though at two stratigraphic levels shallow inclinations, together with declination swings and low intensities of magnetization, may indicate rapid geomagnetic excursions. The magnetic record was attained at the time of deposition or shortly thereafter, and can be used for a wide range of applications.     

Near east paleomagnetic secular variation recorded in sediments from the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret)

Paleomagnetic records of declination and inclination from sediments recovered from the bed of Lake Kinneret (32.4°N, 35.7°E) have been dated by radiocarbon techniques. The sediments span the last 5000 yr. The changes in inclination down the sediment cores are more pronounced than the declination fluctuations and are repeatable between the three coring sites, which are several kilometers apart. Magnetic susceptibility logs display 13 maxima in the 5-m-long sequences, with a pronounced susceptibility minimum about 1000 yr B.P. Many of the susceptibility maxima and minima can be easily correlated between coring sites and are shown to be dominantly related to changes in sediment carbonate content. The natural remanent magnetization intensity follows a similar pattern to that of susceptibility, and the natural remanence of the Kinneret sediments is presumed to reside in detrital magnetite grains carried into the lake by the river Jordan from the basalt-rich bedrock of the rift floor and the Golan Heights. The ¹⁴C chronology is strongly supported by a pollen study in which pronounced changes in the proportion of olive pollen were interpreted as being due to extensive cultivation of olives around Galilee in the Hellenistic and Byzantine periods. The Kinneret paleosecular variation records, if accurately dated, point to a complex spatial pattern of Holocene secular variation with significant variations over distances as small as 1000–2000 km.     

Palaeomagnetism of the Moberly formation, northern Missouri, confirms a regional magnetic datum within the pre-Illinoian glacial sequence of the midcontinental USA

The Moberly formation of northern Missouri, USA includes glacigenic sediment deposited during the second major pre-Illinoian glaciation and is overlain by three younger normal-polarity tills. The Moberly (mostly till) preserves two different magnetic remanences. A detrital remanent magnetization has reversed polarity with shallow (-30 to-40°) inclinations. The shallow inclination is regionally persistent and spans different facies, including those not prone to large inclination error. A secondary overprint of normal polarity is associated with a thin oxidized zone and weakly developed paleosol in the upper portion of the till. This chemical remanent magnetization is distinguished by high coercivities typical of authigenic ferromagnetic minerals and by scattered remanence vectors upon stepwise demagnetization. The secondary normal remanence was likely acquired during a brief interglacial period between deposition of the Moberly formation and the next glaciation. The short interglacial and the shallow inclinations indicate that the glaciation which deposited the Moberly occurred shortly before a major polarity change from reverse to normal, probably the Brunhes-Matuyama reversal.     

Preliminary magnetostratigraphic dating of Paleogene lacustrine sediments from the Shandong Province, East China

A detailed magnetostratigraphic and rock magnetic study was conducted on Tertiary lacustrine/fluvial sediments from Jiyang, Shandong, East China. High temperature susceptibility variation and thermal demagnetization show that magnetite is the main magnetic remanence carrier. The characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) was isolated above 150 °C by thermal demagnetization, and a detailed magnetic polarity sequence was established. The lacustrine/fluvial sediments were dated from polarity chron C18n.1r to polarity chron C15n, i.e., within the interval 39.631–34.655 Ma. The results of this study indicate the likelihood that either no hydrocarbon-bearing fluids were present after 34.655 Ma or, if there was any such fluid flow, the fluids must have gone through the section very quickly, without having any significant influence on the magnetic signal.     

A Preliminary Study on Paleomagnetism and Rock Magnetism of Eclogite from the Maobei Area

A preliminary study of paleomagnetism and rock magnetism has been done on 55 eclogite samples collected from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) site at the Maobei (毛北) area, Donghai (东海) County, Jiangsu (江苏) Province. Also the isothermal remanence, hysteresis loop, magnetic fabric, thermal susceptibility were measured, and analyses were made by electron-probe and scanning electric microscope on some samples synchronously. The result indicates that there are two groups of stable remanence, the normal and reversed magnetization. The remanence orientations are: D=94.3o, I=-29.1o and D=273.7o, I=15.4o, respectively. The magnetization intensity and the density of the samples which carry the normal magnetization are very different from those bearing reversed magnetization. The magnetic anisotropy is weak, and the minimum axis is hardly determined. The isothermal remanence and the hysteresis loop show that the magnetic carriers of the eclogite are likely SD (single domain) and PSD (pseudo-single domain) magnetite. According to the magnetic property, the cause of formation of magnetic carriers, the mechanism of the remanence, and the significance for the tectonics are discussed.     

“北京人”化石产地洞穴堆积物的古地磁学研究

我国是世界上古人类化石和遗迹最丰富的国家之一,北京人化石产地周口店又是至今世界上人类化石发掘最为完整的一个地点。搞清北京人的堆积物的地质时代,对进一步了解人类发展的历史和第四纪地质年代学具有重要意义。1976年1月-4月期间,我们对周口店第一地点的洞穴主要堆积物进行了古地磁地层学的研究,对北京人的年代问题提出我们的粗浅认识,供有关方面讨论。     

Anomalous archaeomagnetic directions and site formation processes at archaeological sites in Israel

As part of a program to investigate archaeomagnetic secular variation in Israel and implications for archaeomagnetic dating, we have identified “anomalous” results that have yielded information about site formation processes. Stereonets, vector demagnetization diagrams, and sample location maps are most useful in examining stability of magnetization and consistency of archaeomagnetic directions with each other and with what would be expected from normal secular variation. A collection of examples is presented, including: strong and hard remanence due to vitrification, unstable magnetization due to lightning strikes, superimposed thermal magnetizations, chemical remagnetization, magnetization of a hearth fragment before falling, magnetization of a hot brick after falling, and mechanical deformation of an archaeomagnetic feature. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

武昌地区街道尘埃磁学特征及其对环境污染的指示意义

对在武昌地区4个功能区域(青山、洪山、东湖风景区、东湖开发区)主要交通街道收集的尘埃样品进行详细的环境磁学测量,包括质量磁化率、频率磁化率、等温剩磁退磁系数以及典型样品的磁滞回线参数等。研究结果表明:尘埃样品中剩磁载体均以亚铁磁性矿物为主,样品中的磁性颗粒呈现低矫顽力的磁铁矿特征,软磁性的磁性矿物是样品剩余磁性的主要载体。尘埃样品χ、SIRM的区域分布特征受区域周围工业、车流量及道路状况等多种环境因素的影响,在4个功能区域中存在明显的磁性差异:青山工业区污染较重,东湖开发区、洪山、东湖风景区次之;硬剩磁(HIRM)的分布可能指示了道路交通来源的磁颗粒特征,东湖开发区和青山工业区由于行驶的货车和重型车辆较多,表现出硬剩磁量值较高。与其他城市(兰州、西安、南京、徐州等)相比,整个武昌地区街道尘埃样品的磁性含量仍较高,说明在城市环境方面还有待于进一步改善和保护。     

The role of hematite–ilmenite solid solution in the production of magnetic anomalies in ground- and satellite-based data

Remanent magnetization (RM) of rocks with hematite–ilmenite solid solution (HISS) minerals, at all crustal levels, may be an important contribution to magnetic anomalies measured by ground and satellite altitude surveys. The possibility that lower thermal gradient relatively deep in the crust can result in exsolution of HISS compositions with strong remanent magnetizations (RM) was studied for two bulk compositions within the HISS system. Samples from granulite-terrane around Wilson Lake, Labrador, Canada contains titanohematite with exsolved ferrian ilmenite lamellae. Other samples from the anorthosite-terrane of Allard Lake, Quebec, Canada contain ferrian ilmenite with exsolved titanohematite lamellae. In both cases, the final exsolved titanohematite has similar Ti content and carries dominant magnetic remanence with REM (=NRM/SIRM, where NRM is the natural remanent magnetization and SIRM is the saturation isothermal remanent magnetization) that is comparable to the Ti-free end member. The RM was acquired prior to exsolution and the ilmeno-hematite-rich rock possesses thermal remanent magnetization (TRM), whereas rocks with hemo-ilmenite possess chemical remanent magnetization (CRM). In both cases, we found fairly large homogeneous grains with low demagnetizing energy that acquired intense RM. The magnetism of the ilmeno-hematite solid solution phases is not significantly perturbed by the continuous reaction: ilmeno-hematitetitanohematite solid solution. Hence, the occurrence of HISS in rocks that cooled slowly in a low intensity magnetic field will have an intense magnetic signature characterized by a large REM.     

Subaqueous landslide-triggered tsunami hazard for Lake Zurich,Switzerland

Subaqueous landslides can induce potentially damaging tsunamis. Tsunamis are not restricted to the marine environment, but have also been documented on lakes in Switzerland and worldwide. For Lake Zurich (central Switzerland), previous work documented multiple, assumedly earthquake-triggered landslides. However, no information about past tsunamis is available for Lake Zurich. In a back-analysis, we model tsunami scenarios as a consequence of the earthquake-triggered landslides in the past. Furthermore, on the basis of a recent map of the earthquake-triggered subaqueous landslide hazard, we present results of a tsunami hazard assessment. The subaqueous landslide progression, wave propagation and inundation are calculated with a combination of open source codes. Although no historic evidence of past tsunamis has been documented for Lake Zurich, a tsunami hazard exists. However, only earthquakes with long return periods are assumed to cause considerable tsunamis. An earthquake with an exceedance probability of 0.5% in 50 years (corresponding to an earthquake with a return period of 9975 years) is assumed to cause tsunamigenic landslides on most lateral slopes of Lake Zurich. A hypothetical tsunami for such an event would create damage especially along the shores of the central basin of Lake Zurich with estimated peak flow depths of up to ~?4.6 m. Our results suggest that for an earthquake with an exceedance probability of 10% in 50 years (i.e., mean return period of 475 years), no considerable tsunami hazard is estimated. Even for a worst-case scenario, the cities of Zurich and Rapperswil, located at the northern and southern ends of the lake, respectively, are assumed to experience very little damage. The presented first-order results of estimated wave heights and inundated zones provide valuable information on tsunami-prone areas that can be used for further investigations and mitigation measures.     

Paleomagnetic Investigation of the Bonneville Alloformation, Lake Bonneville, Utah

Paleomagnetic secular variation in a portion of the Bonneville Alloformation is compared with secular variation in lacustrine sediments in the Mono Basin, California, and with secular variation in Lake Lahontan sediments in the northwestern Great Basin. The comparison places an age of about 18,000 yr B.P., and a span of 1000 to 3000 yr, on part of a transgressive stage of Lake Bonneville near Delta, Utah, that is coeval with a wet period in the Lahontan Basin.     

Chronostratigraphy and spatial distribution of magnetic sediments in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas since the last deglaciation

Palaeomagnetic investigation of three sediment cores from the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea margins was performed to better constrain the regional chronostratigraphy and to gain insights into sediment magnetic properties at the North American Arctic margin during the Holocene and the preceding deglaciation. Palaeomagnetic analyses reveal that the sediments under study are characterized by low‐coercivity ferrimagnetic minerals (magnetite), mostly in the pseudo‐single domain grain‐size range, and by a strong, stable, well‐defined remanent magnetization (MAD <5°). Age models for these sediment cores were constrained by comparing their palaeomagnetic secular variations (inclination, declination and relative palaeointensity) with previously published and independently dated sedimentary marine records from the study area. The magnetostratigraphical age models were verified by AMS radiocarbon dating tie points, tephrochronology and ²¹⁰Pb‐based sedimentation rate estimate. The analysed cores 01JPC, 03PC and 02PC span c. 6000, 10 500 and 13 500 cal. a BP, respectively. The estimated sedimentation rates were stable and relatively high since the deglaciation in cores 01JPC (60 cm ka⁻¹) and 03PC (40–70 cm ka⁻¹). Core 02PC shows much lower Holocene sedimentation rates with a strong decrease after the deglaciation from ~60 to 10–20 cm ka⁻¹. Overall, this study illustrates the usefulness of palaeomagnetism to improve the dating of late Quaternary sedimentary records in the Arctic Ocean.     

Archaeomagnetic investigation of two mediaeval brick constructions in north Belgium and the magnetic anisotropy of bricks

Archaeomagnetic dates derived from geomagnetic field direction records in baked materials are proposed for a mediaeval brick kiln (from inclination I and declination D) and for bricks from a brick wall (from I only) in northern Belgium. They are used to verify whether a brick chronology based on the format of bricks is feasible in Flanders. The brick kiln yielded a highly reliable average magnetization direction corresponding to an archaeomagnetic date around A.D. 1650, using the British and French geomagnetic field secular variation curves as a reference, at least half a century younger than expected from historical data. The fidelity of the geomagnetic records was controlled by measuring the magnetic anisotropy of the bricks. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements demonstrate that the bricks have a shape related magnetic fabric, which is induced during the molding process. A test to control whether AMS can substitute for the anisotropy of thermo‐remanent magnetization (ATRM) failed because of induced changes during laboratory heating. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

红粘土的磁学性质研究

本文对陕西宝鸡剖面红粘土上部进行了详细的岩石磁学研究，确定了该地区红粘土的主要磁性矿物是磁铁矿。赤铁矿相对含量很少，对剩余磁性贡献较小。磁性质不稳定的磁赤铁矿存在于红粘土中，但不影响剩磁稳定性。特征剩磁载体主要是磁铁矿。磁性矿物的粒度是以准单畴为主。红粘土的短时间弛豫粘滞剩磁很强，因此在零磁空间进行退磁和剩磁测量是非常重要的。     

A preliminary magnetic study on lacustrine sediments from Zoigê Basin,eastern Tibetan Plateau,China: Magnetostratigraphy and environmental implications

A preliminary magnetic study was conducted on Core RM (310 m long), drilled in the Zoigê Basin (33 °57′N, 102 °21′E), on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Greigite in SD state exists as a main magnetic contributor along the whole core. In addition, magnetite and haematite are detected between 160-45 m. NRM directions show a complex record with many apparent changes in inclination, for which greigite or the remanence acquisition process may be responsible. Nevertheless, the Matuyama/Brunhes boundary and, possibly, the Blake Event are identified. Between 310 and 160 m (as well as between 45 and 4.5 m), predominant anoxic conditions favour the formation of greigite, leading to higher susceptibility (χ) and remanence peaks. However, higher carbonate content during dry periods in these zones, may dilute the concentration of magnetic minerals, resulting in lower values of magnetic parameters. Between 160 and 45 m, weak oxic conditions preserve detrital magnetic minerals. The increasing χ background in this zone may indicate changes in the concentration of magnetite and haematite related to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, while higher χ peaks may indicate fluctuations to anoxic conditions, which enhance greigite concentration.     

The Gothenburg Magnetic Excursion

The Gothenburg Magnetic Excursion in a broad sense ranges from 13,750 to 12,350 years BP and ends with the Gothenburg Magnetic Flip at 12,400−12,350 years BP (= the Fjärås Stadial in southern Scandinavia) with an equatorial VGP position in the central Pacific. The Gothenburg Magnetic Flip is recorded in five closely dated and mutually correlated cores in Sweden. In all five cores, the inclination is completely reversed in the layer representing the Fjärås Stadial dated at 12,400−12,350 years BP. The cores were taken 160 km apart and represent both marine and lacustrine environments. The Gothenburg Magnetic Flip represents the shortest excursion and the most rapid polar change known at present. It is also hitherto the far best-dated paleomagnetic event. The Gothenburg Magnetic Excursion and Flip are proposed as a standard magnetostatigraphic unit.     

Depositional magnetization of Carboniferous Limestones from the Craven Basin of northern England

Carboniferous Limestones in the Craven Basin of northern England carry a stable natural remanent magnetization (NRM) the intensity of which is facies dependent. Dark argillaceous limestones are most strongly magnetized and pure, pale coloured limestones most weakly magnetized. Partial thermal and alternating field demagnetization suggest that magnetite is the principal carrier of the remanence although some haematite is present in the limestone. The presence of magnetite is confirmed by the low temperature transition, isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM build-up curves) and microprobe analysis. Partial demagnetization of IRM and ARM suggest that the magnetite is relatively coarse grained and in the multidomain state. There are no indications of pseudo-single domain behaviour but magnetite of this type cannot be excluded as a possible remanence carrier. A grain size estimate of 10–20 μm based on coercive force and remanent coercive force is compatible with the theoretical consideration of grain size. The limestones show a weak but marked magnetic susceptibility anisotropy. This anisotropy defines a depositional fabric which indicates that the magnetization is a depositional remanent magnetization (DRM). A DRM was acquired by each specimen before compaction and cementation and was preserved because of the reducing conditions which prevailed in the early diagenetic environments of the limestones.     

黄土高原西部白草塬剖面L1和S1记录的古地磁场特征

文章详细介绍了黄土高原西部白草塬剖面L₁和S₁的高精度岩石磁学和古地磁学结果,讨论了白草塬剖面记录古地磁场的特征,从古地磁学角度探讨白草塬剖面黄土沉积的连续性。白草塬剖面黄土沉积物中,磁铁矿和磁赤铁矿是主要的亚铁磁性矿物,粗粒的碎屑磁铁矿是其天然剩磁和特征剩磁的主要载体。白草塬剖面L₁和S₁没有记录任何地磁漂移。其中,L₁没有记录MonoLake或Laschamp地磁漂移的原因可归结于黄土沉积物堆积过程的不连续性和/或粗颗粒载磁矿物的重磁化,但前者是主要原因,而堆积过程的不连续性是导致S₁没有记录Blake地磁漂移的主要原因。因此,白草塬剖面的L₁和S₁分别存在约2000年和4000～6000年的沉积不连续。