An experimental study of the titanomagnetite solid solution series

Summary Analysis of saturation magnetization measurements and data from the literature indicate that the cation distribution in the titanomagnetite solid solution series is temperature dependent. The ionic configuration of ferric and ferrous ions on both lattice sites of their spinel structure can be described by a modified Boltzmann relation in agreement with theoretical consideratios. Thermodynamic equilibrium isotherms for the cation distribution and the resulting variation of saturation magnetization are calculated on the basis of the experimental values. These results should be especially valuable for the interpretation of magnetic properties of rapidly cooled igneous rock units where a respective high-temperature metastable state may exist in the magnetic ore component.Further measurements of the Curie temperature and lattice constant did not confirm a similar effect. Both these parameters should therefore be qualified for the identification of naturally occurring titanomagnetites.     

Structure of remanent magnetization in some skye lavas,NW Scotland

In the British Tertiary igneous province one commonly observes reversed magnetizations with an abnormally large range of inclinations. Two of the Skye lava sequences which are of Early Eocene age have been chosen to investigate why this range of inclinations exists. Various laboratory studies of the natural remanence reveal a composite palaeomagnetic record. There are two axes of magnetization present: on steeply inclined (～ 75°) and one with an intermediate inclination (～35°). There is an excess of reversed polarity components in the bulk fossil remanence of most lavas and the inclination spread seems basically caused by superposition of these components. The experimental problem of splitting the polyphase magnetization into its separate sub-components is demonstrated by many examples. It is concluded that processes of low-temperature mineral alteration (which strongly overprints the high-temperature exsolution structures) and remagnetization must have been active for a minimum time span of 20 m.y. after the original cooling of the lavas, involving both polarity inversions and a major geomagnetic axis shift in mid-Tertiary times. As a conseqence, the original TRM has probably been erased to a major extent and replaced by CRM's in subsequent times. The polar estimate based on the shallow magnetization group agree well with suggested Lower Tertiary palaeopoles from Northern Ireland and from the Faeroe Irelands. The multivectoral nature of the remanent magnetization in the Skye lavas signifies that even for geologically very young rocks it is necessary to employ much more rigorous analysis techniques than are currently being used in many palaeomagnetic laboratories.     

Handbuch der Physik-Geophysik III/6: G.M. Von Nikol'skij,K. Rawer,P. Stubbe,L. Thomas and T. Yonezawa. Springer-Verlag, 1982, 124 Figs., VI + 385 pp., US $126.60, ISBN 3-540-07080-X

A model mechanism has been derived for the evolution of the cation distribution in titanomaghemites, which have formed by the progressive removal of iron from the spinel lattice. According to the model, the cation distribution of a titanomaghemite is not a unique function of composition but depends on the path by which maghemitization has taken place. Cation distributions (and consequent magnetic properties) have been calculated and compared for titanomaghemite produced by the “removal of iron” and “addition of oxygen” mechanisms. For a given composition, the Curie point temperature is almost invariant, being, according to molecular field theory, more sensitive to composition than cation distribution. Therefore, the model cannot explain the variations observed in synthetic titanomaghemite of different provenances. According to the model, the spontaneous magnetization is significantly lower for the removal of iron mechanism, which may be helpful in explaining a decrease in the remanence of submarine basalts with age.Structurally metastable titanomaghemites invert to an intergrowth of phases on heating above approximately 350°C and it is expected that the inversion product would be independent of the mechanism by which maghemitization had previously taken place. Available X-ray, and other data, have been used to produce a simple model of the inversion process, and values of the Curie point of the inversion product and the ratio of the magnetization before and after the inversion derived. These model values compare favourably with experimental values for a synthetic titanomaghemite in which inversion was induced by progressive slow heating to approximately 600°C. The inversion process therefore has potential in determining the compositions of naturally occurring titanomaghemites.     

一个变泥质岩包体样品的系统热磁试验及其矿物学意义

利用一件采自河北汉诺坝周坝地区变泥质岩包体样品,结合系统的低温和高温磁性测量结果,探讨了应用热磁实验鉴别样品中所含原生磁性矿物的多解性问题. 结果表明, 饱和等温剩余磁化强度（SIRM）在室温～250℃以及280℃～380℃的降低分别由高钛钛磁铁矿的剩磁解阻过程（一种物理过程）以及由磁赤铁矿转换成赤铁矿（一种矿物相变）引起.样品在500℃以后磁化率的升高则是由磁铁矿从钛磁赤铁矿中出溶所致.因此,κ T（即磁化率随温度变化）曲线中呈现约580℃居里点是由加热过程中次生的磁铁矿引起,而并非代表原始（即加热前）样品中的磁铁矿成分.     

吉林陨石中铁镍合金的磁学性质

铁镍合金是陨石中重要的磁性物质,其中铁纹石、镍纹石和四方镍纹石是球粒陨石中的主要铁镍合金.然而,迄今针对陨石中铁镍合金的磁学性质研究仍非常缺乏.本文研究了吉林陨石中的铁纹石、四方镍纹石、以及陨硫铁的磁学特征.实验表明,镍含量为6%~7%的铁纹石是该陨石中最主要的铁镍合金物质,它具有低矫顽力和高的热稳定性,居里温度~750 ℃.镍含量为~48%的四方镍纹石具有高矫顽力和高的热稳定性,居里温度~565 ℃,它是剩磁的主要载体.陨硫铁在室温为反铁磁性,不具有载剩磁能力,在60 K左右存在一个低温转换,在氩气中加热较稳定而在空气中加热被氧化转化为磁铁矿.这些研究结果为鉴定球粒陨石中的磁性物质提供了依据.     

Self-reversal of magnetization in titanomagnetite: Effective field theory

In this paper, we analyze the self-reversal of magnetization in titanomagnetites as a function of the Ti content and the distribution of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ ion transitions in sublattices (which is associated with the law of charge conservation). The dependence of the Curie point on the Ti concentration and the temperature dependence of the mean magnetic moment per iron atom at different Ti concentrations and different cation distributions in sublattices are calculated.     

Magnetic properties of soils from sites with different geological and environmental settings

Measurements of magnetic susceptibility of soils, reflecting magnetic enhancement of topsoils due to atmospherically deposited magnetic particles of industrial origin, are used recently in studies dealing with outlining polluted areas, as well as with approximate determination of soil contamination with heavy metals. One of the natural limitations of this method is magnetic enhancement of soils caused by weathering magnetically rich parent rock material. In this study we compare magnetic properties of soils from regions with different geological and environmental settings. Four areas in the Czech Republic and Austria were investigated, representing both magnetically rich and poor geology, as well as point-like and diffuse pollution sources. Topsoil and subsoil samples were investigated and the effect of geology and pollution was examined. Magnetic data including mass and volume magnetic susceptibility, frequency-dependent susceptibility, and main magnetic characteristics such as coercivity (Hc and Hcr) and magnetization (Ms and Mrs) parameters are compared with heavy metal contents. The aim of the paper is to assess the applicability of soil magnetometry under different geological-environmental conditions in terms of magnetic discrimination of dominant lithogenic/anthropogenic contributions to soil magnetic signature. Our results suggest that lithology represents the primary effect on soil magnetic properties. However, in case of significant atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic particles, this contribution can be clearly recognized, independent of the type of pollution source (point-like or diffuse), and discriminated from the lithogenic one. Different soil types apparently play no role. Possible effects of climate were not investigated in this study.     

The primary magnetic remanence of a dolerite sill from northeast Spitsbergen

An Upper Jurassic dolerite sill from Lomfjord, northeast Spitsbergen, has been submitted to rock- and palaeomagnetic studies. In the cooling stage the original titanomagnetite underwent a high-temperature alteration forming exsolution of ilmenite lamellas. Due to rapid cooling the border zones in part escaped the high-temperature alteration but instead low-temperature oxidation, producing at least a low-temperature metastable magnetic mineral, is fairly pronounced in these parts of the sill. Thermal demagnetization has established that both mineral phases carry the same general magnetization direction suggesting the total remanence (reverse) to be of deuteric origin. Consideration of the cooling rate indicates that the accumulated geomagnetic secular variation may cover a time span of the order of 10³ years. The relative pole position is at 61°N, 210°E, a result which is in agreement with some other Mesozoic results from Spitsbergen, but in rather marked disagreement with other published data for the Mesozoic of Europe.     

Palaeomagnetic directions in Precambrian basic intrusives of the Mount Isa Province,Australia

Palaeomagnetic investigation of basic intrusives in the Proterozoic Mount Isa Province yields three groups of directions of stable components of NRM after magnetic cleaning in fields up to 50 mT (1 mT= 10 Oe). The youngest group (IA) includes results from the Lakeview Dolerite, and yields a palaeomagnetic pole at 12°S, 124°E (A₉₅ = 11°). The second group (IB) has a palaeomagnetic pole 53°S, 102°E (A₉₅ = 11°). The third group (IC) is derived from the Lunch Creek Gabbro and contains normal and reversed polarities of magnetization with a palaeomagnetic pole at 63°S, 201°E (A₉₅ = 9°). Some samples from the gabbro have anomalously low intensities of remanent magnetization in obscure directions attributed to the relative enhancement of the non-dipole component of the palaeomagnetic field during polarity reversal. The present attitude of the igneous lamination is probably of primary, not tectonic origin.     

Interpretation of Magnetic Anomalies and Estimation of Depth of Magnetic Crust in Slovakia

The magnetic map of Slovakia used in the paper was compiled as part of a project titled Atlas of Geophysical maps and profiles in 2001. The residual magnetic data were analyzed to produce Curie point estimates. To remove distortion of magnetic anomalies caused by the Earth’s magnetic field, reduction to pole transformation was applied to the magnetic anomalies using the magnetization angle of the induced magnetization. Anomalies reduced to the pole tend to be better correlated with tectonic structures. We applied a 3-km upward continuation to the residually compiled magnetic anomalies in order to remove effects of topography. The depth of magnetic dipoles was calculated by an azimuthally averaged power spectrum method for the entire area. Such estimates can be indicative of temperatures in the crust, since magnetic minerals lose their spontaneous magnetization according to Curie temperature of the dominant magnetic minerals in the rocks. The computed Curie point depths in the Slovakia region vary between 15.2 km and 20.9 km. Heat flow higher than 100 mWm⁻² occurs at the central volcanics and eastern part of Slovakia, where the Curie point depths values are shallow. The correlation between Curie point depths, heat flow and crust depth was investigated for two E-W cross sections. Heat flow and Curie point depth values are correlated with each other however, these values could not be correlated with crust depth. The Curie point isotherm, which separates magnetic and non-magnetic parts of the crust, is represented in two cross sections.     

Magnetic analysis of some large seamounts in the North Atlantic

An analysis of the magnetic structure of Plato and Atlantis seamounts in the North Atlantic was made using the phase-shifting technique of Schouten [9]. The possibility of distinguishing the age of the seamounts from the age of their adjacent seafloor using magnetic data was investigated. The method described proved simple and effective, but showed that age determinations cannot reliably be made from magnetics for the seamounts in question, since the variation of the position of the palaeomagnetic poles during the Cainozoic is not large enough to produce appreciable phase-shift differences in this part of the Atlantic.The polarization is normal. Since smaller seamounts also show a predominance of normal magnetization, this may mean that viscous remanent magnetization (VRM) dating from the present normal period, the Brunhes, is involved. VRM may lead to strong magnetizations in coarse-grained rock as shown by DSDP results. This may result into a general overprinting of thermoremanence (TRM) by VRM, thus glossing over reversed thermoremanent polarizations. Large seamounts thus may appear as normally polarized bodies. The statistics of reversely versus normally polarized seamounts may be explained by the same effect. This implies that palaeomagnetic pole and age determinations based on apparent magnetization directions modelled from the magnetic anomaly pattern over seamounts may be inaccurate.     

Remanent magnetization of andesitic and dacitic pumice from the 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia) reversed due to self-reversal

The natural remanent magnetization of andesitic pumice emitted during the 1985 eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano (Colombia) has a direction opposite to the present geomagnetic field. The self-reversing mechanism can be re-activated in the laboratory during cycles of heating and subsequent cooling in air and zero magnetic field. Laboratory-produced thermoremanent magnetization is dominated by the same self-reversal process in fields up to several mT. Microchemical, optical and Curie temperature analyses indicate that the ferromagnetic minerals are members of the magnetite-ulvöspinel and hematite-ilmenite series with average compositions of Fe_2.73Ti_0.27O₄ and Fe_1.38Ti_0.62O₃, respectively. In analogy with the magnetic behaviour of synthetically grown antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic FeMn-FeNi films, the self-reversal can probably be interpreted in terms of an exchange field acting between a Ti-poor canted antiferromagnetic and a Ti-rich ferrimagnetic phase in the hemoilmenite grains.     

Magnetic properties of the Lower Old Red Sandstone lavas in the Midland Valley,Scotland; palaeomagnetic and tectonic considerations

Thermal demagnetization studies of lavas in the Strathmore area of the Midland Valley, Scotland, support overall palaeomagnetic data found in previous studies of these rocks. Reduced directional scatter as compared to some earlier studies, is attributed to more effective demagnetization, resolving some of the directional complexity of previous studies. Combined magnetic fabric and directional analysis suggest that at least some deviating directions may be explained by local tectonism. The existence of almost antiparallel directional groups and field tests give supporting evidence for a “primary” (deuteric) origin of the main magnetization of these rocks. Additionally, a second remanence component having shallow reverse directions of magnetization, is attributed to later remagnetization in Old Red Sandstone time. The Midland Valley results are seen in conjunction with other Palaeozoic palaeomagnetic results and possible geodynamic implications are discussed.     

A detailed magnetic study of Cobb Seamount

Results from a detailed magnetic survey and paleomagnetic measurements on oriented rock samples from the summit of Cobb Seamount indicate that the Seamount is complexly magnetized, recording at least one field reversal. The remanent magnetization probably resides in single-domain titanomagnetite (10 mole % ulvo¨spinel in solid solution with magnetite) which is unlike that found in dredged basalts. The simplest explanation for this difference is that the Seamount's pinnacle formed subaerially.     

菱铁矿热转变过程中岩石磁学性质基本特征

利用吉林大栗子铁矿纯菱铁矿样品,系统测量了菱铁矿在空气环境下热处理产物的磁化特征．揭示出其饱和等温剩磁（ＳＩＲＭ）、剩磁矫顽力（Ｈ（ｃｒ））和居里温度（Ｔｃ）随加热温度升高而发生的系列变化,美铁矿氧化过程中准稳定态磁性矿物磁赤铁矿（ｒ－Ｆｅ２Ｏ３）是中间产物之一,并且具有较高的热稳定性．Ｘ射线衍射和穆斯堡尔（Ｍｏｓｓｂａｕｅｒ）效应等分析结果证实了岩石磁学研究所揭示的菱铁矿氧化中磁性矿物转变过程．菱铁矿氧化过程中结晶结构的转变可能会影响其氧化产物的磁性特征．     

Rock magnetic and petrographical–mineralogical studies of the dredged rocks from the submarine volcanoes of the Sea-of-Okhotsk slope within the northern part of the Kuril Island Arc

The rock magnetic properties of the samples of dredged rocks composing the submarine volcanic edifices within the Sea-of-Okhotsk slope of the northern part of the Kuril Island Arc are studied. The measurements of the standard rock magnetic parameters, thermomagnetic analysis, petrographical studies, and microprobe investigations have been carried out. The magnetization of the studied rocks is mainly carried by the pseudo-single domain and multidomain titanomagnetite and low-Ti titanomagnetite grains. The high values of the natural remanent magnetization are due to the pseudo-single-domain structure of the titanomagnetite grains, whereas the high values of magnetic susceptibility are associated with the high concentration of ferrimagnetic grains. The highest Curie points are observed in the titanomagnetite grains of the igneous rocks composing the edifices of the Smirnov, Edelshtein, and 1.4 submarine volcanoes.     

Magnetic and crystallographic properties of synthetic titanomaghemite

Systematic magnetic and crystallographic studies were made on 57 titanomaghemite samples produced from sintered titanomagnetites with x values of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0. Curie temperature and lattice parameter values are often significantly different from results of previous studies (Ozima and Sakamoto, 1971; Readman and O'Reilly, 1972; Nishitani, 1979), particularly for x values of 0.4 and 0.6. Other important results are: (1) Oxidation of titanomagnetite is mainly a function of temperature. Atmosphere and Ti content have little influence. (2) Progressive oxidation of homogeneous titanomaghemites can take place in the presence of a rhombohedral phase. The amount of rhombohedral phase produced during oxidation increases with increasing temperature and (less conclusively) with decreasing Ti content. (3) Saturation magnetization measurements at low temperatures show both P- and Q-type ferrimagnetic behavior in titanomaghemites, and also show the Verwey (?) transition in titanomaghemites with composition x=0.0. (4) The temperature of spinel inversion increases with degree of oxidation. Slightly oxidized samples invert near 300°C; for samples with z > 0.8 the inversion temperature is above 450°C. This last result, although neither expected nor understood, is supported by results of thermomagnetic studies on some oceanic basalts.     

Magnetic petrology of eastern North America diabases, I. Olivine-normative dikes from western South Carolina

The oxide mineralogy and magnetic properties were examined in a suite of fifteen olivine-normative diabase dike samples from western South Carolina in an attempt to elucidate their magnetic petrology. Titanomagnetite (1–2 vol.%) is the dominant Fe-Ti oxide mineral. Ilmenite and secondary magnetite are generally present in very minor amounts. Chromite constitutes up to 0.5 vol.%; its abundance and composition correlate with bulk rock Cr. Various types of fine-scale microstructure are evident in titanomagnetite crystals. The most important are patterned anisotropism and the development of trellis-type ilmenite lamellae. Microprobe analyses indicate: (1) titanomagnetite compositions, x, are mostly between 0.4 and 0.55, and (2) low analytical totals are characteristic of most titanomagnetites. Curie temperatures of the diabases are 500–540°C, which are several hundred degrees higher than predicted from the observed titanomagnetite x's (150–300°C). We attribute these higher Curie temperatures to oxidation of the titanomagnetites, which has produced “titanomaghemites” having visible microstructure and yielding low analyses (because they are cation deficient). Natural remanence magnetization and REM (ratio of natural remanence to saturation remanence) vary between 4 and 100 × 10⁻⁴ A m² kg⁻¹ and 0.0019 and 0.032, respectively. These properties inversely correlate with Cr content and demonstrably contrast Cr-rich and Cr-poor samples. Initial susceptibility, saturation magnetization and coercivity values show a two- to three-fold range. Variations in initial susceptibility and coercivities appear to be largely related to the type and extent of oxidation-induced microstructure in the titanomagnetites.     

Nature of magnetic grains and their effect on the remanent magnetization of basalts

The nature of magnetic grains in basalts obtained from different parts of the world has been investigated. Results indicate that magnetic behaviour attributable to cation-deficient magnetite is common in basalts younger than Cretaceous, while that due to multidomain magnetite is widespread in much older rocks. Superparamagnetic grains occur in basalts more abundantly than originally presumed, which seem to be mainly responsible for the viscous remanent magnetization of such samples. Basalts which are inferred to contain predominantly optimum single-domain grains are found to be most suitable for palaeomagnetic work. However, many samples generally contain a wide range of grain sizes and this can account for the observed variation in their magnetic stability. One possible mechanism for the formation of such magnetic grains in basalts and its implications to palaeomagnetism is presented. Basalts whose magnetic behaviour is completely reversible on heating and cooling are very rare and because of this fact the reliability of palaeointensity determinations, involving heating of the samples even for one time, may be reduced to a considerable extent.     

The volcano-magnetic effect

Summary A geometrically simple volcano is considered, havig a spherical magma chamber of 2.5 km radius centred at 10 km depth. The Curie point isotherm is assumed to be a plane at 20 km depth, except for the spherical volume which is also non-magnetic. The stress pattern in the vicinity of the spherical chamber, due to regional stress of sufficient intensity to cause an eruptions, is used to calculate the change in magnetization which results from the piezomagnetic effect through the volume of solid rock. The consequent magnetic field anomaly at the surface is then obtaied by numerical integration of the dipole law of force over the stressed volume. For rocks of the type found on the volcanic island of St. Vincent (West Indies), this model gives a maximum local volcano-magnet c effect of about 7 gammas.