Paleointensity of the earth's magnetic field during the Laschamp excursion and its geomagnetic implications

The reversed paleomagnetic direction of the Laschamp and Olby flows represents a specific feature of the geomagnetic field. This is supported by paleomagnetic evidence, showing that the same anomalous direction was recorded at several distinct sites, including scoria of the Laschamp volcano. To examine this anomalous geomagnetic fluctuation, we studied the paleointensity of the Laschamp and Olby flows, using the Thellier method. Twenty-five samples were selected for the paleointensity experiments, and from seven we obtained reliable results. Because the paleointensity results of the Olby and Laschamp flows as well as Laschamp scoria are very similar, they can be represented by a single mean paleointensity,F = 7.7 μT. Considering that this low paleointensity is less than 1/6 of the present geomagnetic field and is more characteristic of transitional behavior, our results suggest that the paleomagnetic directions of the Laschamp and Olby flows were not acquired during a stable reversed polarity interval. A more likely explanation is that the Laschamp excursion represents an unsuccessful or aborted reversal.     

Flow directions in ash-flow tuffs: a comparison of geological and magnetic susceptibility measurements, Tshirege member (upper Bandelier Tuff), Valles caldera, New Mexico, USA

This study concludes that the elongation axis (K ₁) of the ellipsoid of anisotropic magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is a suitable proxy for flow axis in ashflow tuffs. 153 oriented samples (176 specimens) were studied from 18 sites in the 1.1 Ma Tshirege member of the Bandelier Tuff. These sites are distributed around the Valles caldera at distances of 5–25 km outside of the rim.K ₁ axes correlate well with postulated radial flow axes at 13 sites.K ₁ also agrees with measured geological flow indicators, mainly imbricated larger clasts, at 7 sites. At 2 of the 5 sites where significant disagreement is seen between theoretical radial flow directions and measuredK ₁ axes, theK ₁ axes correspond well with geological flow indicators, indicating that the divergence of flow from the predicted radial flow pattern is real. Two major topographic buttresses are suggested as the cause of flow divergence for the Tshirege ash flows: the San Pedro buttress northwest of the caldera, and the San Miguel buttress in the southeast. In situK ₁ axes plunge about 7° toward the source at two-thirds of the sites; therefore the plunge ofK ₁ is a plausible in situ indicator for thedirection of flow. Multiple flow zones in sections of several meters thickness indicate changes of flow direction that are both rapid and large during ash-flow emplacement. These observations raisre the question of how best to represent mean flow directions in ash-flow sheets: by eigenvector methods, by vector-sum methods, or by modes. A method for measuring imbrication of larger clasts using apparent dips in vertical joints is outlined. Imbrication, determined in this way at one-third of the sites, dips toward the source, i.e., up-flow. The minimum (K ₃) axis of the AMS ellipsoid correlates with the flow foliation rather than with the larger clast imbrication. The flow axes of ash flows correspond with theK ₁ axes, not with the declination ofK ₃ axes as suggested by some authors. Initial dip of the sampled ash flows is not large and does not affect the paleomagnetic remanence direction, which is reversed with a mean ofD=173.5°,I=-38.4°, ₉₅=3.4°N=18. This mean is not different at the 95% confidence level from that of earlier workers. The mean pole, at 098.0°E, 74.8°N,A ₉₅=3.3°,N=18, is about 15° far-sided relative to the expected time-averaged geomagnetic pole, suggesting a history of emplacement too short to adequately average secular variation.     

The Kizilkaya ignimbrite — an unusual low-aspect-ratio ignimbrite from Cappadocia, central Turkey

The 4.3-m.y.-old medium-volume low-aspect-ratio Kizilkaya ignimbrite (50–100 km³ DRE) is one of the most widespread in the Cappadocian Volcanic Province covering about 8500–10,600 km². The ignimbrite rests on a relatively fine-grained fan of Plinian pumice-fall deposit (Md of 1.0–1.80 mm in proximal locations). The eruptive center was located in the Misli plain northeast of Nigde, as deduced from thickness and grain-size variations of the fall deposit, flow direction indicators, welding patterns of the ignimbrite and the distribution of certain types ofxenoliths. The massive ignimbrite, generally about 15 m thick, covers a paleoplain throughout at least two thirds of its areal extent. It comprizes two flow units, identified by local pumice enrichment in the upper part of the lower unit. The ignimbrite is completely welded in many places. In other places, the lower flow unit is non-welded, particularly where the initial pumice-fall deposit was eroded, a fine-grained ground layer was deposited, and undulating or cross-laminations with antidunes were developed. The ground layer was derived from the ignimbrite ground-mass by loss of fines < 250–500 μm.Depositional characteristics indicate that the ignimbrite was emplaced as high-concentration flows with relatively low velocity and low heat loss during runout. Local development of a ground layer and internal bedding structures indicate local increased turbulence only within individual flow portions due to agitated fluidization from engulfed air. The degree of welding of the lower flow unit was controlled by this turbulence and is not related to thickness variations.     

Flow directions in ash-flow tuffs: a comparison of geological and magnetic susceptibility measurements,Tshirege member (upper Bandelier Tuff), Valles caldera,New Mexico,USA

This study concludes that the elongation axis (K ₁) of the ellipsoid of anisotropic magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is a suitable proxy for flow axis in ashflow tuffs. 153 oriented samples (176 specimens) were studied from 18 sites in the 1.1 Ma Tshirege member of the Bandelier Tuff. These sites are distributed around the Valles caldera at distances of 5–25 km outside of the rim.K ₁ axes correlate well with postulated radial flow axes at 13 sites.K ₁ also agrees with measured geological flow indicators, mainly imbricated larger clasts, at 7 sites. At 2 of the 5 sites where significant disagreement is seen between theoretical radial flow directions and measuredK ₁ axes, theK ₁ axes correspond well with geological flow indicators, indicating that the divergence of flow from the predicted radial flow pattern is real. Two major topographic buttresses are suggested as the cause of flow divergence for the Tshirege ash flows: the San Pedro buttress northwest of the caldera, and the San Miguel buttress in the southeast. In situK ₁ axes plunge about 7° toward the source at two-thirds of the sites; therefore the plunge ofK ₁ is a plausible in situ indicator for thedirection of flow. Multiple flow zones in sections of several meters thickness indicate changes of flow direction that are both rapid and large during ash-flow emplacement. These observations raisre the question of how best to represent ‘mean’ flow directions in ash-flow sheets: by eigenvector methods, by vector-sum methods, or by modes. A method for measuring imbrication of larger clasts using apparent dips in vertical joints is outlined. Imbrication, determined in this way at one-third of the sites, dips toward the source, i.e., up-flow. The minimum (K ₃) axis of the AMS ellipsoid correlates with the flow foliation rather than with the larger clast imbrication. The flow axes of ash flows correspond with theK ₁ axes, not with the declination ofK ₃ axes as suggested by some authors. Initial dip of the sampled ash flows is not large and does not affect the paleomagnetic remanence direction, which is reversed with a mean ofD=173.5°,I=-38.4°, α₉₅=3.4°N=18. This mean is not different at the 95% confidence level from that of earlier workers. The mean pole, at 098.0°E, 74.8°N,A ₉₅=3.3°,N=18, is about 15° far-sided relative to the expected time-averaged geomagnetic pole, suggesting a history of emplacement too short to adequately average secular variation.     

Geomagnetic field intensity from Kilauea 1955 and 1960 lava flows: Towards a better understanding of paleointensity

The record of the Earth’s magnetic field intensity during the past (paleointensity) carries important information about the geodynamo and the state of the Earth’s interior that is not contained in the record of its paleodirection. To determine what the critical factors in obtaining reliable estimate of paleointensity are, we present new results of a paleointensity study of the 1955 and 1960 Kilauea volcano lava flows, from the Big Island of Hawaii. Rock magnetic measurements on representative hand samples from each flow in conjunction with reflected light microscopy observations show the primary carriers of remanence to be pseudo-single domain titanomagnetite with various titanium contents. Paleointensity samples (small fragments previously embedded into salt pellets) were subjected to the Thellier-Coe experimental procedure. Fourteen temperature steps were distributed over the entire temperature range used (ambient temperature to 570°C). Control heating steps (commonly referred to as partial thermo-remanent magnetization — pTRM checks) were also conducted each third double heating step. Mean field intensity value (36.6 ± 0.7 μT) retrieved from 3 reliable site mean determinations reproduces the expected value within 1.1%. With the knowledge of the rock magnetic characteristics of the samples and the strength of the geomagnetic field during cooling of the lava, our investigation suggests that the Hawaiian lavas can faithfully record the local geomagnetic field and confirms that the Thellier-Coe type techniques are suitable on historical lava flows to yield reliable absolute paleointensity determinations. The variations in direct field measurements and in lab paleofield determinations may reflect local heterogeneities of the lava or influence of very local field anomalies due to the volcanic underlying terrain. These results underscore the importance that a better understanding of intensity results of historical lava flows is still required if reliable paleointensity determinations of older periods, for which we do not know the answer, are sought.     

Thermochemical remanent magnetization in Jurassic silicic volcanics from Nevada,U.S.A.

Characteristic magnetizations from Middle Jurassic dacitic to andesitic subaerial volcanics (the Fulstone and Artesia Formations) in the Buckskin Mountain Range, western central Basin and Range Province, are well-grouped, generally display univectorial decays to the origin in demagnetization and have hematite blocking temperatures restricted almost entirely to above 620°C. Petrographic, rock magnetic and electron microprobe investigations confirm that nearly pure hematite is the essential magnetic phase (up to about 10 vol. %) occurring as a replacement of coarse titaniferous magnetite phenocrysts and fine groundmass particles, as a secondary alteration product of ferromagnesian phenocrysts and as a mobilized phase filling cracks and other open spaces. The presence of antipodal directions in each flow unit and in interbedded volcanoclastic units (some having retained magnetite as a major magnetic phase) and magnetite-dominated remanences in time-equivalent intrusives cutting the flows indicates that the volcanics acquired their hematite remanence, a faithful record of the geomagnetic field, in high-temperature, deuteric oxidation during and following their emplacement, not during a later thermal event such as regional metamorphism. The remanence is probably a thermochemical remanent magnetization, although part may be of thermoremanent origin.     

Paleomagnetic study on orogenic belt: An example from Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks,Inner Mongolia,China

Since the 1990s, a large number of paleomagneticstudies have been carried out in the North China block(NCB) and Tarim block[1-8], and more and more geo-physicists recently believe that the last collision andconvergence between Siberia and the Mongolia-NorthChina plate happened in the Late Jurassic, which wascontributed to a paleomagnetic study on these areas byZhao and his colleagues[2]. However, we lack paleo-magnetic results obtained directly from the orogenicbelt between Siberia and th…     

Rock-magnetic and paleomagnetic results from the Tepic-Zacoalco rift region (western Mexico)

A rock-magnetic and paleomagnetic investigation was carried out on eleven Pleistocene and Pliocene ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dated lava flows from the Tepic-Zacoalco rift region in the western sector of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) with the aim of obtaining new paleomagnetic data from the study region and information about the Earth’s magnetic field recorded in these rocks. Rock-magnetic experiments including measurement of thermomagnetic curves, hysteresis parameters and isothermal remanence acquisition curves were carried out to find out the carriers of remanent magnetisation and to determine their domain structure. Although some samples were characterised by the presence of a single ferromagnetic phase (magnetite), in most cases more phases were observed. Analysis of hysteresis parameters showed a mixture of single domain and multidomain particles, the fraction of the latter varying between 40% and 80%. Paleomagnetic results were obtained in all sites, although in 7 sites characteristic remanence directions and remagnetisation circles had to be combined in order to calculate site means. The six Pliocene sites not showing intermediate polarity yielded a paleomagnetic pole (latitude ? = 81.1°, longitude λ = 94.3°) which roughly agrees with the expected one. Paleomagnetic directions do not indicate significant vertical-axis block rotations in the western TMVB area. Reversed polarities observed can be correlated to the Gilbert chron, normal polarities to the Gauss chron or the Brunhes chron and intermediate polarities to the Cochiti-Gilbert or the Gilbert-Gauss transition. The reversed or intermediate polarity magnetisation recorded in one of the sites (542 ± 24 ka) corresponds either to the West Eifel 4 or the West Eifel 5 excursion, while the reversed polarity observed in the other site (220 ± 36 ka) very likely provides new evidence for the Pringle Falls excursion or the event recorded in the Mamaku ignimbrite.     

Historical measurements of the Earth's magnetic field compared with remanence directions from lava flows in Italy over the last four centuries

Direct measurements of the Earth's magnetic field in Italy since 1640 a.d. have been used to check the remanence directions derived from historically dated volcanic rocks of Etna and Vesuvius. Direct measurements consist of the records of L’Aquila and Pola geomagnetic observatories, the repeat stations of the Italian Magnetic Network and the data base of the Historical Italian Geomagnetic Data Catalogue. All have been relocated to the same reference site (Viterbo — lat. 42.45°N, long. 12.03°E) in order to draw a reference secular variation (SV) curve. The direction of the Earth's field at Viterbo has also been calculated from the historical records (2000-1600) of ref. [Jackson, A., Jonkers, A.R.T., Walker, M.R., 2000. Four centuries of geomagnetic secular variation from historical records. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 358, 957-990] database. The remanence directions from Etna show a general agreement with the trend of the SV curve, although their inclination is usually lower than that from the direct measurement. The directions from Vesuvius are more scattered. Large discrepancies occur at both volcanoes and in some cases have been ascribed in the literature to poor geographic information, making it difficult to identify the flows actually emplaced during the eruptions reported in the chronicles. Closer examination shows that the great majority of the best-defined remanence directions (semi-angle of confidence α₉₅ < 2.5°) deviate significantly from the geomagnetic direction measured at the time of the emplacement, the angle between the two directions being larger than the α₉₅ value. The value of 2.5-3.0° can thus be regarded as a conservative evaluation of the error when dealing with dating Etna and Vesuvius lava flows older than 17th century, even when the accuracy attained in remanence measurements is higher. In default of a SV curve for Italy derived from archaeological artefacts, a further error in dating is introduced when reference is made to SV curves of other countries, even if well-established, as these are from regions too far from Italy (>600 km) to confidently relocate magnetic directions.     

Matuyama-Brunhes reversal and Kamikatsura event on Maui: paleomagnetic directions, Ar/Ar ages and implications

Eighty-nine basaltic lava flows from the northwest wall of Haleakala caldera preserve a concatenated paleomagnetic record of portions of the Matuyama-Brunhes (M-B) reversal and the preceding Kamikatsura event as well as secular variation of the full-polarity reversed and normal geomagnetic field. They provide the most detailed volcanic record to date of the M-B transition. The 24 flows in the transition zone show for the first time transitional virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) that move from reverse to normal along the Americas, concluding with an oscillation in the Pacific Ocean to a cluster of VGPs east of New Zealand and back finally to stable polarity in the north polar region. All but one of the 16 Kamikatsura VGPs cluster in central South America. The full-polarity flows, with ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages spanning a total of 680 kyr, pass a reversal test and give an average VGP insignificantly different from the rotation axis, with standard deviation consistent with that for other 0-5 Ma lava flows of similar latitude. Precise ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating consisting of 31 incremental heating experiments on 12 transitional flows yields weighted mean ages of 775.6±1.9 and 900.3±4.7 ka for the M-B and Kamikatsura transitional flows, respectively. This Matuyama-Brunhes age is ∼16 kyr younger than ages for M-B flows from the Canary Islands, Tahiti and Chile that were dated using exactly the same techniques and standards, suggesting that this polarity transition may have taken considerably longer to complete and been more complex than is generally believed for reversals.     

Remanent magnetism of the Deccan Trap flows around Sagar,Madhya Pradesh,India

The results of remanent magnetic studies on eight of the nine Deccan Trap flows in the vicinity of Sagar (23°56′ N: 78°38′ E) are presented. It is found that the lower four flows in the sequence are of ‘reversed’ magnetic polarity. Of the upper four flows, the top and the bottom ones show ‘intermediate’ directions while the two flows sandwiched between these are ‘normal’. These results suggest a transitional stage between the polarity inversion of the geomagnetic field from ‘reversed’ to ‘normal’ during the eruption of these Deccan Trap flows. The remanent magnetic directions of these ‘reversed’ and ‘normal’ flows show fairly shallow inclinations and are comparable to the remanent magnetic directions of the Pavagarh basalts.     

Post-depositional remanent magnetisation in Recent tidal-flat sediments

Palaeomagnetic measurements of 1-m cores and a 9-m Delft core of Recent tidal-flat sediments from the Wash, England have shown that these sediments possess a record of the variation of the Earth's magnetic field. The record compares well with the historic-archaeomagnetic record for the period 0–1000 years B.P. but is offset down the core due to the remanence being of post-depositional origin. A period of at least 100 years is suggested for the alignment of particles during acquisition of the post-depositional remanence. Magnetite has been identified as the major carrier of this remanence.     

Plio-pleistocene paleomagnetic record from the Michoacán-Guanajuato Monogenetic Volcanic Field (Western Mexico)

The paleosecular variation (PSV) and polarity transitions are two major features of the Earth’s magnetic field. Both PSV and reversal studies are limited when age of studied units is poorly constrained. This is a case of Central and western Mexico volcanics. Although many studies have been devoted to these crucial problems and more than 200 paleomagnetic directions are available for the last 5 Ma, only few sites were dated directly. This paper presents new paleomagnetic results from seventeen independent cooling units in the Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field (MGVF) in western Mexico. Twelve sites are directly dated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar or K-Ar methods and span from 2.78 to 0.56 Ma. The characteristic paleodirections are successfully isolated for 15 lava flows. The mean paleodirection (inclination I and declination D) obtained in this study is I = 28.8°, D = 354.9°, and Fisherian statistical parameters are k = 28, α₉₅ = 7.3°, N=15, which corresponds to the mean paleomagnetic pole position P_lat = 83.9°, P_long = 321.6°, K = 34, A₉₅ = 6.6°. The paleodirections obtained in present study compiled with those, previously reported from the MGVF, are practically undistinguishable from the expected Plio-Quaternary paleodirections. The paleosecular variation is estimated through the study of the scatter of the virtual geomagnetic poles giving S_F = 15.9 with S_U =21.0 and S_L = 12.7 (upper and lower limits respectively). These values agree reasonably well with the recent statistical Models. The oldest sites analyzed (the Santa Teresa and Cerro Alto) yield normal polarity magnetizations as expected for the cooling units belonging to the Gauss geomagnetic Chron. The interesting feature of the record comes from lava flows dated at about 2.35 Ma with clearly defined normal directions. This may point out the possible existence of a normal polarity magnetization in the Matuyama reversed Chron older than the Reunion and may be correlated to Halawa event interpreted as the Cryptochron C2r.2r-1. Another important feature of the geomagnetic record obtained from the MGVF is the evidence of fully reversed geomagnetic field within Bruhnes Chron, at about 0.56 Ma corresponding to the relative paleointensity minimum of global extent found in marine sediments at about 590 ka.     

Magnetic properties and emplacement of the Bishop tuff,California

 Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and characteristic remanence were measured for 45 sites in the 0.76 Ma Bishop tuff, eastern California. Thirty-three sites were sampled in three stratigraphic sections, two in Owens gorge south of Long Valley caldera, and the third in the Adobe lobe north of Long Valley. The remaining 12 sites are widely distributed, but of limited stratigraphic extent. Weakly indurated, highly porous to dense, welded ash-flow tuffs were sampled. Saturation magnetization vs temperature experiments indicate two principal iron oxide phases: low Ti magnetites with 525–570  °C Curie temperatures, and maghemite with 610°–640  °C Curie temperatures. AF demagnetization spectra of isothermal remanent magnetizations are indicative of magnetite/maghemite predominantly in the multidomain to pseudo-single domain size ranges. Remeasurement of AMS after application of saturating direct fields indicates that randomly oriented single-domain grains are also present. The degree of anisotropy is only a few percent, typical of tuffs. The AMS ellipsoids are oblate with K_min axes normal to subhorizontal foliation and K_max axes regionally aligned with published source vents. For 12 of 16 locality means, K_max axes plunge sourceward, confirming previous observations regarding flow sense. Topographic control on flow emplacement is indicated by the distribution of tuff deposits and by flow directions inferred from K_max axes. Deposition east of the Benton range occurred by flow around the south end of the range and through two gaps (Benton notch and Chidago gap). Flow down Mammoth pass of the Sierra Nevada is also evident. At least some of the Adobe lobe in the northeast flowed around the west end of Glass mountain. Eastward flow directions in the upper Owens gorge and southeast directions in the lower Owens gorge are parallel to the present canyon, suggesting that the present drainage has been established along the pre-Bishop paleodrainage. Characteristic remanence directions from 45 sites (267 samples) yield an overall mean of D=348°, I=53° for the Bishop tuff. A correlation is found in two of the three profiles between density and remanence inclination. A mean remanence direction based on 13 localities together with data from uncompacted xenoliths and data from the ash-fall tuff at Lake Tecopa is: D=353°, I=54°, k=172, α₉₅=2.9°, N=15. Received: 11 July 1995 / Accepted: 29 February 1996     

The morphology and evolution of the Stromboli 2002–2003 lava flow field: an example of a basaltic flow field emplaced on a steep slope

The use of a hand-held thermal camera during the 2002–2003 Stromboli effusive eruption proved essential in tracking the development of flow field structures and in measuring related eruption parameters, such as the number of active vents and flow lengths. The steep underlying slope on which the flow field was emplaced resulted in a characteristic flow field morphology. This comprised a proximal shield, where flow stacking and inflation caused piling up of lava on the relatively flat ground of the vent zone, that fed a medial–distal lava flow field. This zone was characterized by the formation of lava tubes and tumuli forming a complex network of tumuli and flows linked by tubes. Most of the flow field was emplaced on extremely steep slopes and this had two effects. It caused flows to slide, as well as flow, and flow fronts to fail frequently, persistent flow front crumbling resulted in the production of an extensive debris field. Channel-fed flows were also characterized by development of excavated debris levees in this zone (Calvari et al. 2005). Collapse of lava flow fronts and inflation of the upper proximal lava shield made volume calculation very difficult. Comparison of the final field volume with that expecta by integrating the lava effusion rates through time suggests a loss of ~70% erupted lava by flow front crumbling and accumulation as debris flows below sea level. Derived relationships between effusion rate, flow length, and number of active vents showed systematic and correlated variations with time where spreading of volume between numerous flows caused an otherwise good correlation between effusion rate, flow length to break down. Observations collected during this eruption are useful in helping to understand lava flow processes on steep slopes, as well as in interpreting old lava–debris sequences found in other steep-sided volcanoes subject to effusive activity.     

Palaeomagnetism of (late Vendian-earliest Cambrian) minor alkaline intrusions, Fen Complex, southeast Norway

Emplacement of the Fen central complex (603-565 Ma) within the Fennoscandian Shield in southeast Norway was preceded by the emplacement of numerous minor alkaline intrusions into the surrounding gneisses. A palaeomagnetic sample of 28 of these bodies has identified a predominant SSE negative remanence carried by magnetite in some bodies and hematite in others. A sporadic high blocking temperature component appears to record localised effects associated with the development of the Oslo rift and igneous province to the east, but no major magnetic overprinting by post-emplacement events is recognised. The stable magnetisation vectors for twenty sites comprise a coherent population with those for two sites reversed with respect to the remainder; they yield a mean direction ofD = 210°,I = 44° (₉₅ = 6.4°) and a palaeomagnetic pole at 324°E, 50°S (dpdm=4.9°7.9°). The difference between the pole position for this early phase of the Fen magmatism and that for the late metasomatic rødberg (322°E, 63°S) in the interior of the complex is interpreted in terms of continental movement during the late Vendian-earliest Cambrian interval of alkaline activity here. The defined direction of APW movement continues a motion recognised from other Vendian data but subsequent movements during Lower Cambrian times are unclear.     

泰国Khorat盆地二叠纪石灰岩的重磁化研究

泰国Ｋｈｏｒａｔ盆地西部的晚二叠世石灰岩的古地磁研究表明磁铁矿为稳定剩磁的主要载体多组分磁分量分离技术揭示了高温磁组分（或高矫顽力）具有呈对分布的正、反极性．但是，应用逐渐展平岩层法可以发现各采样点的平均特征磁化方向在岩层展平至３０％时．磁化方向最为集中．这一发现表明二叠纪石灰岩中所揭示出的磁化方向很可能形成于褶皱（期）过程中．野外观察表明，二叠纪石灰岩在印支期发生强烈褶皱并被晚三叠世湖相石灰岩角度不整合覆盖．所以二叠纪石灰岩的重磁化很可能发生在中、晚三叠世的印支期．这些石灰岩样品切片后经显微镜、扫描电镜和电子探针分析，次生磁铁矿多数与方解石微晶和铁质碳酸钙粒共生，且多分布在方解石脉附近．重磁化很可能是由于印支期造山运动时，铁质碳酸钙受碳水化合物流体的蚀变作用所引起的。     

Imbrication, flow direction and possible source areas of the pumice-flow tuffs near Bend, Oregon, U.S.A.

Imbrication, indicating flow and source direction, occurs in three Pleistocene or upper Pliocene pumice-flow tuffs exposed in a 700-km² area on the east flank of the Cascade Range near Bend, Oregon, and shows the location of previously unknown source vents of these tuffs. The imbrication is formed by inclined elongate and/or flat pumice or lithic fragments and locally by elongate plagioclase crystals. Imbrication is best developed within the lower zones of individual flow units; the pumiceous top zones also locally show imbrication directions parallel to that in the lower zones. Moreover, the areal pattern of size distribution of lithic and pumice fragments in the flows is concordant with the flow direction pattern indicated by imbrication.The upper pumice flow shows a fan-shaped pattern of flow directions indicated by imbrication which points to a western source. A possible vent, about 20 km west of Bend in the highland near Broken Top Volcano, is marked by many silicic domes and basaltic cinder cones where there is a 6–8 mgal negative Bouguer gravity anomaly. In contrast, imbrication in the middle and lower pumice flows indicates flow from a source southwest of Bend. Vents in this direction are not obvious. Possible buried vents are located about 30 km and 45 km southwest of Bend near Sitkum Butte and Lookout Mountain, respectively.     

Deformation and paleomagnetism

We may use tectonic structures to confirm the primary age of a paleomagnetic remanence component but only if we know how to undo the natural strain history. It is normally insufficient to untilt fold limbs, as in the original version of Graham's Fold Test. One may need to remove also the bulk or local strain and account for strain heterogeneities, achieved by grain-strain and the more elusive intergranular flow. Most important, one must know the sequence of strains and tilts that occurred through geological history because the order of these noncommutative events critically affects the final orientation of the remanence component.In many non-metamorphic rocks, strain-rotation of a remanence component approximates a simple formula, although the actual rotation mechanism is complex. This simple, passive line approximation is confirmed experimentally for strains up to 45% oblate shortening. The passive line hypothesis has permitted successful paleomagnetic restorations in several natural case studies.Experimental deformation of samples with multicomponent remanences shows that differential stresses above a threshold value near 25 MPa selectively remove components with coercivities <25mT, due to domain wall rearrangements in large multidomain magnetite grains. Higher coercivity components are less reduced so that the net remanence vector spins always toward the high-coercivity component, at rates and along paths not predicted by any structural geological formula. Experimentally deformed samples with very fine hematite in the matrix showed their net remanence spinning away from the high coercivity component. This is due to easier mechanical disorientation of the very fine hematite grains, scattering their magnetic moments more and reducing their contribution to the overall remanence. Thus, muticomponent remanences have their components selected for survival based on rock-magnetic and microstructural criteria. Such stress-rotation by coercivity selection does not depend on the orientations of the principal stresses or strains, a concept that is counterintuitive to conventional structural geology.Syn-tectonic remagnetization is common in deformed sedimentary sequences and laboratory experiments reveal that a only moderate differential stress remagnetization is required to add components parallel to the ambient field, without significant strain. Alternating field demagnetization isolates components smeared along the great circle between the initial remanence direction and the remagnetizing field direction. In this case, the principal directions of the stress and finite strain tensors are irrelevant; remagnetization is triggered by a threshold differential stress. The final remanence direction is controlled by the ambient field direction and the remagnetization path lies along a great circle between the ambient field and the initial remanence direction.     

SOME NEW MAGNETIC TRANSFORMATIONS*

All magnetic transformations are governed by one simple differential relation between the observed and the transformed quantities. A magnetic map for any component, at any location, and for any given direction of magnetization can be converted into one for which any one, two, or all three parameters differ. Three new magnetic transformations are introduced: (i) reduction to equator, (ii) orthogonal reduction, and (iii) elimination of remanence. The first eliminates (or minimizes) the asymmetry and the lateral shift of the measured total field anomalies, exactly as in Baranov's reduction to pole. The second produces perfect asymmetry so that a symmetrical target lies vertically below the zero anomaly point, midway between the maximum and minimum. When remanence is a contributing factor, the direction of resultant magnetization must be known a priori in all cases, except for transformation of one component into another in the same area. Explicit working formulae are presented for reduction to equator and pole, and orthogonal reduction.