Palaeomagnetic record in Late Pleistocene and Holocene dry lake deposits at Tlapacoya, Mexico

Summary. A palaeomagnetic investigation of Carbon-14-dated marsh and near-shore lacustrine sediments deposited between about 25000–5000 yr bp at Tlapacoya, Mexico, reveals normal polarity of the geomagnetic field in all samples measured. At one site, anomalous palaeomagnetic directions in a mud unit dated about 14500 yr bp raised the possibility of a geomagnetic excursion, but subsequent work at six additional sites in the unit revealed no abnormal directions. Thus the anomalous directions are most likely not a true reflection of geomagnetic field behaviour, although no specific alternative explanation is entirely convincing. The preliminary Tlapacoya data of anomalous directions have been cited by others as positive evidence for an excursion. We strongly recommend it no longer be considered as such.     

Magnetic field intensity study of the 1960 Kilauea lava flow, Hawaii, using the microwave palaeointensity technique

It is extremely valuable to study historic lava flows where the geomagnetic field at their time of extrusion is well known. In this study, two vertical sections, 16 m apart, have been sampled from the approximately 1 m thick 1960 Kilauea lava flow, Hawaii. Variations are seen in the rock-magnetic and palaeomagnetic properties between and within the two sections, indicating that there are small-scale lateral and vertical variations in the lava flow. The two sections showed different responses to microwave palaeointensity analysis. Section H6001 generally gave ideal linear behaviour on plots of natural remanent magnetization (NRM) lost against microwave-induced thermoremanent magnetization (T_M RM) gained, whilst the majority of samples from H6002 showed anomalous two-slope behaviour. When all plots were interpreted by taking the best-fitting line through all points, the flow mean intensity for H6001 was 31.6 ± 3.6 μT and that for H6002 was 37.1 ± 6.4 μT, compared with the expected intensity of 36 μT. Additional historic flows need to be studied in order to ascertain whether this behaviour is typical of all lava, and whether it is best to always interpret NRM lost/T_M RM gained plots by taking the line of best fit regardless of shape.     

Phase variability of Sq (H) on normal quiet days in the equatorial electrojet region

Summary. From a study of 'abnormal quiet days' (AQDs) at equatorial latitudes it was found earlier (Sastri) that the occurrence of an abnormal Sq ( H ) phase confined to the equatorial electrojet belt is closely associated with the incidence of complete or partial counter-electrojet (CEJ) conditions (marked daytime depressions in the H field in the electrojet region) for about 5 hr around the normal time interval of the diurnal maximum of the H field. In this paper, we investigate the causative mechanism of the Sq ( H ) phase variability on 'normal quiet days' (NQDs), defined as days on which the diurnal maximum of the H field occurs in the time interval 0930-1230 LT, in the equatorial electrojet belt using published geomagnetic data of stations in the Indian equatorial region. It is found that much of the phase variability of Sq ( H ) on NQDs may be caused by the influence of southward (negative) perturbation fields in the H component, similar in nature to those associated with AQDs but of a much smaller amplitude, close to the usual time of the diurnal maximum of the H field. The perturbation fields are noticed to be essentially of the ionospheric dynamo region origin. Possible mechanisms that might give rise to the observed perturbation fields are discussed.     

南极长城站哨声活动特征

本文利用1986年南极长城站的哨声观测资料,对磁暴期间的哨声活动、哨声发生率的日变化、季节变化及磁静日和磁扰日色散值的变化作了统计分析。结果表明,磁暴开始后20～27小时哨声发生率开始增加,逐渐达到最大值,持续5～15小时后下降到正常值。哨声发生率有着明显的日变化(有两个活动高峰)和季节变化(活动高峰期为地方冬季6～8月份)。色散值的日变化与地磁活动性有密切关系,在磁静日,色散值日变幅很小,在磁扰日色散值较大,其分布较分散。     

Telluric measurements and differential geomagnetic soundings in the Rhinegraben (period range: 1–125 s)

Summary. In 1976, seven stations measuring the variations of the telluric and geomagnetic fields in the period range 1–125 s were operated in the southern part of the Rhinegraben. The study of the recordings shows that the telluric field is linearly polarized according to a direction perpendicular to that of the horizontal anomalous magnetic fields and that telluric and anomalous magnetic fields have the same time dependence. The conducted currents responsible for the anomaly flow probably into the superficial conductive layer.     

Direct determination of the characteristics of the currents responsible for the geomagnetic anomaly of the Rhinegraben

Summary. Previous geomagnetic measurements in the Rhinegraben have led us to assume that the responsible currents have the properties of direct currents and that they all flow in the sediments filling the graben. In order to verify these conclusions, we have performed measurements in a mine at a depth of 650 m. By comparing the field simultaneously recorded at the surface, in the mine and at the reference station, it is possible to deduce that the anomalous currents have the above mentioned properties.     

Uplift by thermal expansion of the lithosphere

Summary. If one can measure the anomalous horizontal magnetic field associated with a (locally bounded) two-dimensional conductivity anomaly, the transfer function which results from correlating the vertical with the anomalous horizontal magnetic field directly indicates the depth to an equivalent line-current. A. numerical model can be used to illustrate this. If three-dimensional effects (including current channelling) produce the current anomaly, interpretation in terms of conductive structure would be less clear. It has been claimed (Babour & Mosnier etc.) that such three-dimensional effects are experimentally observed in the highly coherent transfer functions determined from differential geomagnetic sounding experiments. These effects are, specifically, the 'linear polarization' of the anomalous fields, and the invariance of the phase of the measured anomalous field across the anomaly. It is suggested in this present paper that both these effects can be explained in terms of simple local induction models.
If the embedded two-dimensional anomaly is sufficiently close to the Earth's surface, the transfer function (between the vertical and the total horizontal field) contains more information than is usually interpreted. With this in mind, the magnetovariational data collected by Rooney & Hutton in the Kenyan Rift is re-examined.     

On the construction of geomagnetic timescales from non-prejudicial treatment of magnetic anomaly data from multiple ridges

When marine magnetic-anomaly data are used to construct geomagnetic polarity timescales, the usual assumption of a smooth spreading-rate function at one seafloor spreading ridge forces much more erratic rate functions at other ridges. To eliminate this problem, we propose a formalism for the timescale problem that penalizes non-smooth spreading behaviour equally for all ridges. Specifically, we establish a non-linear Lagrange multiplier optimization problem for finding the timescale that (1) agrees with known chron ages and with anomaly-interval distance data from multiple ridges and (2) allows the rate functions for each ridge to be as nearly constant as possible, according to a cumulative penalty function. The method is applied to a synthetic data set reconstructed from the timescale and rate functions for seven ridges, derived by Cande & Kent (1992) under the assumption of smooth spreading in the South Atlantic. We find that only modest changes in the timescale (less than 5 per cent for each reversal) are needed if no one ridge is singled out for the preferential assumption of smoothness. Future implementation of this non-prejudicial treatment of spreading-rate data from multiple ridges to large anomaly-distance data sets should lead to the next incremental improvement to the pre-Quaternary geomagnetic polarity timescale, as well as allow a more accurate assessment of global and local changes in seafloor spreading rates over time.     

Anomalous variations of the geomagnetic field in East Fergana — magnetic precursor of the May earthquake with M= 7.0 (1978 November 2)

Summary. A secular variation anomaly has been discovered at the north-east part of the Fergana vdey by repeated measurements every year or less. The change of total field Δ F at the 'magnetic epicentre' was 9 nT in 1977 and 16 nT in 1978 relative to the level of 1973. In 1977 an anomalous region was recognized, where according to the data from 25 observation points Δ F increased in the northern part up to 5.2 nT, and decreased by 4.7nTin the southern part according to a further 22 points. Permanent observations were begun at the epicentre in 1978 October. We normally observed variations of Δ F differences with magnitude ± 2–3 nT, which were not correlated with worldwide magnetic activity. Anomalous variations appeared on October 26 and rose to a maximum value of + 23 nT on October 30. The decrease of this anomalous field began on October 31. This made it possible to predict a potential earthquake. The Alay earthquake with M = 7.0 occurred on November 2 six hours after the prediction was issued; Δ F then returned to the initial level. Thus, using the geomagnetic field variations in the Fergana region, geophysicists were able to predict the moment of a strong earthquake.     

The use of equivalent current systems in the interpretation of Geomagnetic Deep Sounding data

Summary. Many geomagnetic variation anomalies are probably caused by the channelling, through small-scale bodies, of electric currents induced in much larger conductors elsewhere. Consequently, the direct interpretation of anomalous magnetic fields by modelling the electromagnetic response of conductive structures may give misleading results. It is suggested that, rather than attempting to proceed directly from the electromagnetic fields to conductivity models, we should instead take the intermediate step of determining the distribution of anomalous current flow.
Maps of the anomalous fields over a conductive structure can be generated from inter-station transfer functions. If it is assumed that the internal currents are concentrated in a thin sheet at a specified depth, the equivalent current system in the sheet can be computed directly from the vertical magnetic field. The most straightforward method of performing this calculation is to compute the Fast Fourier Transform of the magnetic field data, and then to apply a wavenumber filter.
The presence of any vertical currents invalidates the thin sheet model. However, if the spatial distribution of a horizontal component of the anomalous magnetic field is also known, the presence of any vertical currents can be detected directly, and their position determined. The value of the methods is illustrated by applying them to the interpretation of a Geomagnetic Deep Sounding survey of the Kenya rift valley.     

Fidelity and time resolution of the magnetostratigraphic record in Siwalik sediments: high-resolution study of a complete polarity transition and evidence for cryptochrons in a Miocene fluviatile section

The Surai Khola section in southwest Nepal, a 5000 m continuously exposed record of fluvial sedimentation since Middle Miocene, was revisited for high-resolution magnetostratigraphy in sequences with expected cryptochrons and reversals of the geomagnetic field. Polarity intervals with durations of a few tens of thousands of years are recorded as zones of stable palaeomagnetic directions. Polarity transitions are recorded as zones with complex demagnetization behaviour of specimens in the sedimentary column. Almost antiparallel palaeoremanence directions, residing in different haematite phases in the same specimens, could generally not be separated properly by thermal demagnetization. Differing demagnetization paths for neighbouring specimens during a reversal suggest that measured transitional directions are not true geomagnetic field directions, but rather are generated by the superposition of variable amounts of at least two almost antiparallel components of magnetization. Accompanying studies of recent river sand deposits demonstrate that these sediments acquire a true depositional remanent magnetization (DRM) with considerable inclination errors and scattered directions for individual specimens.     

Lunar daily geomagnetic variations at Tucson

Summary. Mean hourly values of the geomagnetic elements for Tucson, Arizona, have been analysed for the M ₂ lunar tide for the period 1909–1975. Results for the average diurnal variation are presented, and changes with season, sunspot cycle and magnetic activity are discussed.     

Natural electromagnetism in the Rhine Graben

Summary. Together with experiments by differential geomagnetic soundings, magnetotelluric soundings have been performed in the Rhine Graben. The results of the former have been presented and discussed before. We try to show that it is not necessary to call upon the notion of induction in surrounding areas to justify the characteristics of the observed anomalous magnetic fields. Theoretical calculations of these fields on structures defined by the interpretation of magnetotelluric sounds, or by geological and other geophysical data, agree very well with experimental data. We conclude that magnetotelluric experiments and interpretations are valid as the Rhine Graben is a well-known region allowing us to verify our interpretation.     

Periodicity of magnetic intensities in magnetic anomaly profiles: the Cretaceous of the Central Pacific

Spectral analyses of long magnetic anomaly profiles of Cretaceous age in the Phoenix and Hawaiian lineations within the Pacific Basin show two to five non-harmonic wavelength peaks, with probabilities >90 per cent, within the range of several tens to hundreds of kilometres for each profile. For each profile with four peak wavelengths, their ratios correlate strongly ( r > 0.98) with the ratios for the Earth's orbital eccentricity periodicities for this time, and hence the profile peaks necessarily correlate with each other. These observations suggest that the magnetic anomaly signal is influenced by the Earth's changing orbital parameters, probably through their influence on the internal geomagnetic field. This implies that assumptions usually made to convert the magnetic signal to the magnetization of the oceanic crust may be suspect. The observations, if confirmed, indicate that orbital periodicities can assist in improving the age calibration of the global polarity timescale and that the predicted orbital behaviour of the Earth is confirmed for the last 150 Ma.     

Palaeosecular variation in Central Mexico over the last 30 000 years: the record from lavas

13 lava flows of known age (ages from ¹⁴C dating), which have been erupted in the last 30 000 years, have been studied to determine the palaeosecular variation of the geomagnetic field in Central Mexico. Samples were taken from two different monogenetic volcanic fields: the Michoacan-Guanajuato volcanic field (six sites) and the Chichinautzin Formation (seven sites), both part of the Transmexican Volcanic Belt. The lavas were studied in detail using rock magnetic methods (magnetic susceptibility at room temperature, low-temperature susceptibility behaviour, hysteresis loops, Curie temperatures), combined with reflected light microscopy, in order to deduce their magnetic mineralogy and the domain states of the magnetic minerals. The magnetic carriers are titanomagnetites, which show differing degrees of high-temperature deuteric oxidation, and seem to be predominantly pseudo-single domain (PSD), though in many cases are probably a mixture of domain states. Mean palaeomagnetic directions and palaeointensity values using Shaw and Thellier techniques were obtained using several specimens from each flow. Our data seem to indicate a sharp easterly swing in declination about 5000 years ago, which is also observed in lake sediments from Central Mexico. The calculated values of the virtual dipole moment (VDM) range from 3.1 to 14.9 × 10²² A m². Our data indicate that the virtual dipole moment seems to have increased gradually in magnitude over the last 30 kyr, with a peak at about 9000 years BP. These are features that have been observed in other parts of the globe and are probably caused by variations in the dipole part of the geomagnetic field.     

东南极普里兹湾NP93－2柱样古地磁结果

（王保贵）（候红明）（汤贤赞）（袁友仁）ＰａｌｅｏｍａｇｎｅｔｉｃｒｅｓｕｌｔｓｏｆＣｏｒｅＮＰ９３－２ｆｒｏｍｔｈｅＰｒｙｄｚＢａｙ，ＥａｓｔｅｒｎＡｎｔａｒｃｔｉｃａ￥ＷａｎｇＢａｏｇｕｉ；ＨｏｕＨｏｎｇｍｉｎｇ；ＴａｎｇＸｉａｎｚａｎａｎｄＹｕ...     

Characterization of the July 2007 Swaziland fire disaster using satellite remote sensing and GIS

Data from the NASA'S MODIS (Aqua and Terra) and EUMETSAT'S MSG-SEVIRI satellite sensors is analysed to characterise the geographic and temporal (including diurnal) evolution of the July 2007 fire disaster in the Kingdom of Swaziland using a geographic information system (GIS). Significant fire activity was observed during a three-day period beginning on the 27th July 2007. A total of 1358 and 4365 active fire hotpots were detected by MODIS and MSG-SEVIRI, respectively, mainly concentrated in the Highveld (70.91% for MODIS, 89.89% for MSG) and Middleveld (11.27% for MODIS, 5.23% for MSG) with MSG/MODIS active fire count ratio ranging from a high of 3.69 in the Highveld to a low of 0.06 in the Lubombo Plateau. The results indicate complex differences in spatial fire distribution, behaviour and risk within the country and the effect of sensor differences. A pronounced fire diurnal cycle with a broad afternoon peak centred on 14:00 local time is observed, in general agreement with observations from the region. Despite their limitations, the study demonstrates the importance and usefulness of remotely sensed data and GIS technology for fire disaster and risk assessment for a developing country, where fire monitoring resources are scarce.     

A definitive model of the geomagnetic field and its secular variation for 1965 — I. Derivation of model and comparison with the IGRF

Summary. Using a very large body of post-1955 data, a spherical harmonic model of the geomagnetic field and its secular variation is derived for 1965.0. This model is compared with the original International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) and with individual models used, or proposed for use, in producing the IGRF. Positions of the dip-poles, the geomagnetic poles and the eccentric dipole are derived from the model, together with their rates of change, and comparisons are made with other estimates of these positions.