Composite magnetic anisotropy fabrics: experiments, numerical models and implications for the quantification of rock fabrics

Magnetic fabrics from rocks with multiple mineral-preferred orientations may have anisotropy ellipsoids whose shape and orientation arise from the addition of two or more component fabrics. Our numerical models and experiments demonstrate that such composite magnetic fabrics do not directly reflect the shapes and/or orientations of the individual mineral fabrics and we provide criteria for the recognition and interpretation of composite fabrics in natural rocks. These criteria include:

1. (1) the orientation of the maximum susceptibility axis is located at the intersection of two planar fabrics, and

2. (2) the shape of the susceptibility ellipsoid changes from oblate to prolate and the degree of anisotropy decreases, as the relative intensity of two planar component fabrics becomes equal and as the angle between the planar fabrics increases.

Composite magnetic fabrics are observed in the shales and slates of the Martinsburg Formation, Lehigh Gap, Pennsylvania. Modeling of the AMS (anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility) and ARMA (anhysteretic remanent magnetization anisotropy) behavior constrains the relative degree of anisotropy of the bedding-parallel and cleavage-parallel fabrics. In particular, ARMA model results allow a good estimate of magnetite fabric strength.

We conclude that, in the presence of composite magnetic fabrics, quantitative measures of finite strain in deformed rocks are limited by the ability to accurately determine the degree of anisotropy and relative susceptibility of each component fabric. Such determinations require knowledge of the mineral(s) that are responsible for the measured magnetic fabric and their behavior during deformation.     

Magnetic anisotropy of hematite natural crystals: increasing low-field strength experiments

Hematite is a very abundant mineral in natural rock samples. Despite being one of the most important carriers of remanent magnetization, its magnetic anisotropy is not well understood partially due to its high coercivity and complex behavior. In particular, the field intensity beyond which the Rayleigh relation no longer holds varies from one crystal to another. This field threshold is usually less than the field used in most commercial instruments. The nonlinear behavior of low-field susceptibility may thus hinder the magnetic fabric analysis. We have carried out an intensive study of the low-field bulk susceptibility and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) at increasing low fields in the range of 2–450 A/m (effective value) in a collection of hematite natural crystals. Standard rock magnetic properties, X-ray diffraction, and mass spectrometry have also been determined in order to discover the parameters influencing the low-field susceptibility variations with field. The AMS principal directions, the shape of the AMS ellipsoid, and the degree of anisotropy are the parameters that can vary with different applied fields. It has been found that there is no correlation between magnetic properties like coercivity or saturation magnetization and the range in which the Rayleigh approximation is valid. However, there seems to be a correlation with the peak width determined from X-ray diffraction, suggesting that the Rayleigh region in hematite crystals is related to the spatial orientation of the physical domains within the basal plane.     

Magnetic susceptibility anisotropy in the Cambrian slate belt of North Wales and correlation with strain

The magnetic susceptibility anisotropy of 275 specimens comprising 38 sites from the Cambrian slate belt in North Wales was measured to determine the magnetic fabric of the slates. The susceptibility ellipsoid is oblate for all sites, and the maximum/intermediate susceptibility plane always coincides with the cleavage plane of the slates which has a Caledonian strike and is nearly vertical. The maximum axes align sub-vertically and the intermediate axes sub-horizontally, trending NE-SW. The minimum susceptibility axes are normal to this foliation plane and coincide with the poles to the slaty cleavage. The orientations of the principal susceptibility axes are found to be in excellent agreement with the orientations of the principal strain directions, determined by X-ray goniometry on one of the samples from almost all of the sites. Correlation of the magnetic susceptibility anisotropy with predicted March strains (March, 1932) shows that the principal magnitudes of susceptibility can be related to those of the strain by: (for i = 1, 2, 3. The orthogonal principal axes), where χ_f and χ₀ are the final and initial susceptibilities along a given axis i and l_f and l_i are final and initial axial dimensions in the same direction i of a principal strain axis. The exponent a for the North Wales slates was found to be 0.145 ± 0.005. Knowledge of such a relationship may permit rapid approximate determinations of a petrofabric in similar rocks from their magnetic fabrics. However, the exponent a will probably have to be recalibrated for each rock type.     

Magnetic susceptibility of ultrahigh pressure eclogite: The role of retrogression

Retrograde metamorphism played the dominant role in changing the low-field rock magnetic properties and density of 198 specimens of variably retrograded eclogites from the main borehole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project (CCSD) and from surface outcrops in the Donghai area in the southern part of the Sulu UHP belt, China. Bulk magnetic susceptibility (κ) of unretrogressed UHP eclogite is controlled by whole-rock chemical composition and ranges from 397 to 2312 μSI with principal magnetic susceptibility carrying minerals paramagnetic garnet, omphacite, rutile and phengite. Partially retrograded eclogites show large variations in magnetic susceptibility between 804 and 24,277 μSI, with high mean magnetic susceptibility values of 4372 ± 4149 μSI caused by appreciable amounts of Fe-Ti oxide minerals such as magnetite, ilmenite and/or titanohematite produced by retrograde metamorphic reactions. Completely retrograded eclogites have lower susceptibilities of 1094 ± 600 μSI and amphibolite facies mineral assemblages lacking high magnetic susceptibility minerals. Jelínek's corrected anisotropy (P_j) of eclogites ranges from 1.001 to 1.540, and shows a positive correlation with low-field magnetic susceptibility (κ). Arithmetic mean bulk density (ρ) shows a steady decrease from 3.54 ± 0.11 g/cm³ (fresh eclogite) to 2.98 ± 0.06 g/cm³ (completely retrograded eclogite). Retrograde metamorphic changes in mineral composition during exhumation appear to be the major factor causing variations in low field magnetic susceptibility and anisotropy. Retrograde processes must be taken into account when interpreting magnetic surveys and geophysical well logs in UHP metamorphic terranes, and petrophysical properties such as density and low-field magnetic susceptibility could provide a means for semi-quantifying the degree of retrogression of eclogite during exhumation.     

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in biotite, muscovite and chlorite single crystals

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of single crystals of biotite, muscovite and chlorite has been measured in order to provide accurate values of the magnetic anisotropy properties for these common rock-forming minerals. The low-field AMS and the high-field paramagnetic susceptibility are defined. For the high-field values, it is necessary to combine the paramagnetic deviatoric tensor obtained from the high-field torque magnetometer with the paramagnetic bulk susceptibility measured from magnetization curves of the crystals. This leads to the full paramagnetic susceptibility ellipsoid due to the anisotropic distribution of iron cations in the silicate lattice. The ellipsoid of paramagnetic susceptibility, which was obtained for the three phyllosilicates, is highly oblate in shape and the minimum susceptibility direction is subparallel to the crystallographic c-axes. The anisotropy of the susceptibility within the basal plane of the biotite has been evaluated and found to be isotropic within the accuracy of the instrumental measurements. The degree of anisotropy of biotite and chlorite is compatible with previously reported values while for muscovite the smaller than previously published values. The shape of the chlorite AMS ellipsoid for all the samples is near-perfect oblate in contrast with a wide distribution of oblate and prolate values reported in earlier studies. Reliable values are important for deriving models of the magnetic anisotropy where it reflects mineral fabrics and deformation of rocks.     

玲珑花岗岩体的变形磁组构特征及其与金矿的关系

本文利用磁组构的方法对玲珑花岗岩体的磁组构特征及其与金矿的关系进行研究.玲珑岩体的磁化率各向异性度P的平均值为1.2872,具有典型的构造变形成因特点;磁面理围绕其西北侧的北截花岗闪长岩展布,倾角平缓;磁线理呈SW向近水平展布.玲珑岩体的变形磁组构的特征表明玲珑岩体的变形磁组构是由于后期侵入的北截郭家岭花岗闪长岩体侵入造成的.研究还发现除了断裂的控矿作用以外,位于玲珑岩体内部和边缘的金矿和磁化率各向异性间存在密切的空间对应关系.金矿往往位于磁化率各向异性度P值高的区域,而磁化率各向异性度P值低的区域金矿很少.     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility as an indicator for palaeocurrent analysis in folded turbidites (Outer Western Carpathians,Poland)

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility is a well-known geological proxy in revealing the directional tectonic and sedimentological features of rocks, although it can be ambiguous in situations where these two factors co-occur. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in determining palaeotransport directions in turbiditic rocks that underwent subsequent thrusting and folding. This study demonstrates that the magnetic lineation is largely unsuitable as a palaeocurrent direction proxy, and suggests that the imbrication of magnetic foliation is better in such cases. Moreover, the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility results were analyzed in reference to a joint and fold study within the framework of the regional structural geology. Magnetic fabric investigations were conducted in the eastern part of the Outer Western Carpathians (south-east Poland). During the study, a total of 191 oriented palaeomagnetic samples were collected from three outcrops (Nasiczne, Dwernik and Hoczew) in the Krosno Beds, Silesian Unit. For the purpose of sedimentological analysis, 121 m of turbidite successions were documented and 126 directional sedimentary structures were measured. The magnetic anisotropy of sandstones revealed typical sedimentary fabrics, often overprinted by variably intense tectonic deformation. Oblate susceptibility ellipsoids from Nasiczne showed tilt coherent with the palaeoflow direction, whereas the rocks from Dwernik and Hoczew contained triaxial magnetic fabric developed during compressional palaeostress. This paper suggests that medium-grained and coarse-grained sandstones, preferably with high mica content, are the most suitable for palaeotransport reconstructions among the studied lithologies.     

Do reduction spots predate finite strain? A magnetic diagnosis of Cambrian slates in North Wales

The purple Cambrian slates of North Wales contain green-colored, irregular patches drawn out along cleavage and the more familiar ellipsoidal reduction spots that are parallel to cleavage. Because parallelism of pre-strain ellipsoids could only be produced by extremely high strain, we reject the hypothesis that these are strain markers. Here, we use magnetic methods to resolve this argument. The magnetic analysis reveals that the magnetic fabric of purple slate differs from the green variety of the slate only in the oxidation state, and indicates that the reduction process postdates cleavage. This suggests that the shape of reduction spots reflects the anisotropy of diffusion during reduction, not finite strain and alignment of an initially ellipsoidal object in the slates.     

Using AMS combined with mineral shape preferred orientation analysis to understand the emplacement fabrics of the Apiaí gabbro-norite (Ribeira Belt,SE Brazil)

The Apiaí gabbro-norite is a massive fine-grained Neoproterozoic intrusion emplaced in a core of synformal structure that deforms low-grade marine metasedimentary rocks of the Ribeira Belt of south-eastern Brazil. The lack of visible magmatic layering or any internal fabric has been a major limitation in deciding whether the emplacement occurred before or after the regional folding. To assist in the tectonic interpretations, we combine low-field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and silicate shape preferred orientation (SPO) to reveal the internal structure of the mafic intrusion. Magnetic data indicate a mean susceptibility of about 10⁻² SI and a mean anisotropy degree (P) of about 1.08, essentially yielded by titanomagnetite. The magnetic and silicate foliations for P ≥ 1.10 are parallel to each other, while the lineations tend to scatter on the foliation plane, in agreement with the dominant oblate symmetry of the AMS and SPO ellipsoids. For lower P values, the magnetic and silicate fabrics vary from coaxial to oblique, and for P ≤ 1.05, their shapes and orientations can be quite distinct. The crystal size distribution (CSD) of plagioclase for P > 1.05 is log linear, in agreement with a bulk simple crystallisation history. These results combined show that for a strong SPO, corresponding to a magnetic anisotropy above 1.10, AMS is a reliable indicator of the magmatic fabric. They indicate that the Apiaí gabbro-norite consists of sill-like body that was inclined gently to the north by the regional folding.     

Magnetic fabric development in a highly anisotropic magnetite-bearing ductile shear zone (Seve Nappe Complex,Scandinavian Caledonides)

Magnetite-bearing mylonitic garnet–micaschists close to the major suture between the Baltica and Iapetus terranes (Seve Nappe Complex, Scandinavian Caledonides) show very high anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) with corrected degree of anisotropy (P′) up to 4.8. Three different magnetic fabric types can be distinguished. They correspond to protomylonite (type I, P′ < 2), mylonite (type II, 2 < P′ < 3), and ultramylonite (type III, P′ > 3), respectively. The orientation of the ellipsoid axes from all applied magnetic fabric methods in this study is similar with shallow dips of the metamorphic foliation toward WSW and subhorizontal, mostly NW–SE trending mineral lineation. Differences between subfabrics were minimized under high shear strain as all markers tend to align parallel with the shear plane. The very high anisotropies and mostly oblate ellipsoid shapes of type III correlate with high magnetic susceptibility (k _mean up to 55 × 10⁻³ SI units) and are related to the concentration of magnetite aggregates with shape-preferred orientation. They show a distinct field dependence of magnetic susceptibility of up to 10% in the k _max-direction. We attribute this field dependence to a “memory” of high strains in the domain walls of the crystals acquired during synkinematic magnetite growth during shear zone fabric development at temperatures of 550–570°C.     

Magnetic fabric variations in Mesozoic black shales, Northern Siberia, Russia: Possible paleomagnetic implications

A 28-m-long section situated on the coast of the Arctic Ocean, Russia (74°N, 113°E) was extensively sampled primarily for the purpose of magnetostratigraphic investigations across the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary. The section consists predominantly of marine black shales with abundant siderite concretions and several distinct siderite cemented layers. Low-field magnetic susceptibility (k) ranges from 8 × 10^− 5 to 2 × 10^− 3 SI and is predominantly controlled by the paramagnetic minerals, i.e. iron-bearing chlorites, micas, and siderite. The siderite-bearing samples possess the highest magnetic susceptibility, usually one order of magnitude higher than the neighboring rock. The intensity of the natural remanent magnetization (M₀) varies between 1 × 10^− 5 and 6 × 10^− 3 A/m. Several samples possessing extremely high values of M₀ were found. There is no apparent correlation between the high k and high M₀ values; on the contrary, the samples with relatively high M₀ values possess average magnetic susceptibility and vice versa. According to the low-field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), three different groups of samples can be distinguished. In the siderite-bearing samples (i), an inverse magnetic fabric is observed, i.e., the maximum and minimum principal susceptibility directions are interchanged and the magnetic fabric has a distinctly prolate shape. Triaxial-fabric samples (ii), showing an intermediate magnetic fabric, are always characterized by high M₀ values. It seems probable that the magnetic fabric is controlled by the preferred orientation of paramagnetic phyllosilicates, e.g., chlorite and mica, and by some ferromagnetic mineral with anomalous orientation in relation to the bedding plane. Oblate-fabric samples (iii) are characterized by a bedding-controlled magnetic fabric, and by moderate magnetic susceptibility and M₀ values. The magnetic fabric is controlled by the preferred orientation of phyllosilicate minerals and, to a minor extent, by a ferrimagnetic fraction, most probably detrital magnetite. Considering the magnetic fabric together with paleomagnetic component analyses, the siderite-bearing, and the high-NRM samples (about 15% of samples) were excluded from further magnetostratigraphic research.     

Structural and magnetic fabric study of the Marimanha granite (Axial Zone of the Pyrenees)

The structural and magnetic fabric study of the Marimanha granite, Axial Zone of the Pyrenees, provides new data to characterize the zonation and the internal structure of the pluton. The Marimanha granite intrudes Cambro–Ordovician clastic rocks and Silurian–Devonian limestones and slates. The zonation of the low field magnetic susceptibility, consistent with the petrological zonation of the igneous body, indicates a concentric arrangement of rock types, with more basic compositions at the external areas. This pluton is characterized by a low susceptibility, and rock–magnetic studies indicate a majority of “paramagnetic” samples. Magnetic foliations strike parallel to petrographic contacts and to contours of zonation of magnetic susceptibility, and show a dominant NE–SW strike, steeply dipping towards the North. Locally, in the northern border of the pluton foliation directions become perpendicular to petrographic contacts and depict sigmoidal trajectories. Magnetic lineations are characterized by the predominance of NE–SW trends with shallow plunges to the NE and SW. These foliations and lineations are parallel to the slight elongation of internal petrographic zonation. Magnetic fabric within the granitoid body and internal elliptical shape of petrographic zonation, suggest an intrusion contemporary with a transpressional regime and NNW–SSE shortening, syntectonic with the late stages of the Variscan orogeny. These results are in accordance with anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility studies of others plutons in the Pyrenees. To explain the origin of the Marimanha granite we propose magma ascent through faults at depth and emplacement by ballooning in situ at the rheological boundary between Cambro–Ordovician and Siluro–Devonian metasediments.     

福建中甲锡矿及其外围岩石磁组构特征

磁组构成分析是利用岩石磁化率各向异性研究构造变形特征及其应力作用方式和方向的方法,研究表明,中甲地区岩石各向异性度Ｐ值比较小,反映本区总体变形较弱,但变质石英砂岩相对变形较强。变质石英砂岩磁面理发育,磁线理较弱,显示压扁变形,变形主压应力方向是ＮＷ－ＳＥ向。火山（碎屑）岩具有明显的磁线理,反映流纹构造特征;最大磁化率轴方向屡示本区火山岩流体构造为ＮＷ－ＳＥ向。矿化蚀变岩和矿石的磁各向异性度Ｐ值明显     

北京怀柔崎峰茶-琉璃庙地区岩石磁组构特征及其构造意义

磁组构是指磁化率的各向异性。北京崎峰茶－琉璃庙地区岩石磁组构造特征是磁各向异性度Ｐ值、磁椭球扁率Ｅ＞０为主、磁面理发育而磁线理很差。本区构造变形强烈，以压扁变形为主，Ｓ－Ｎ向构造带是东盘上升、西盘下降，Ｅ－Ｗ向构造带是上盘由南向北逆冲。     

Static recrystallization and preferred orientation of phyllosilicates: Michigamme Formation,northern Michigan,USA

The Michigamme Formation of the Marquette District in Michigan's Upper Peninsula comprises a sequence of cleaved rocks of increasing metamorphic grade. Because metamorphism in the area occurred after cleavage formation, the rocks provide an opportunity to study preferred orientation development of phyllosilicates under conditions of static recrystallization.X-ray texture goniometry on samples from the greenschist-facies zone that were collected at varying distances from the bounding biotite-in and garnet-in isograds, shows that: (1) the preferred orientation of phyllosilicates is always parallel to the mesoscopic cleavage, and (2) the degree of preferred orientation of phyllosilicates improves as a function of increasing metamorphic grade (from <4 to >9 m.r.d.). Scanning electron microscopy on these samples shows that: (1) the length/width ratio increases with increasing grade, and (2) grain shapes are better defined with increasing grade.Previous work on slates showed mechanical processes dominate at very low-grade metamorphism, whereas chemical processes are favored at higher grades. The Michigamme samples show that improvement of preferred orientation occurrred by grain dissolution and crystallization. Noncleavage-parallel phyllosilicate grains were preferentially dissolved, probably facilitated by internal strain energy from mineral defects, aided by chemical energy, whereas cleavage-parallel phyllosilicates were hosts for new growth along their basal planes. These results show that significant fabric strengthening can be achieved by grain dissolution and crystallization in the absence of tectonic stress.     

Influence of magnetic fabric anisotropy on seismic wave velocity in paramagnetic granites from NW Himalaya: Results from preliminary investigations

Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) and seismic wave velocity studies of some paramagnetic Himalayan granitoids show good correlation between magnetic fabric anisotropy and P wave velocity (Vp). Vp shows strong positive correlation with magnetic lineation (L) and degree of magnetic anisotropy (P′) having correlation coefficient (r) values of 0.93 and 0.89 respectively. Both Vp and Vs show positive correlation with the SiO₂ content of Proterozoic and Paleozoic granitoids. Velocity of S wave (Vs) shows negative correlation with mean magnetic susceptibility (K_m) having ‘r’ value of 0.86. The correlation between Vs-K_m, V_p-P′, V_p-L also shows >95% probability in Spearman’s rank correlation. Based on the results from the present sample size it is suggested that, in paramagnetic granites, V_p is proportional to intensity of deformation and preferred orientation of minerals as well as the mineralogy. On the other hand, Vs is more dependent on the mineralogy alone.     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of eclogites: mineralogical origin and correlation with the tectonic fabric (Cabo Ortegal,Spain)

Abstract

The fabric and the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of the Cabo Ortegal eclogite (NW Spain) are studied. These mafic rocks were metamorphosed and deformed under high pressures and temperatures between 390 and 370 Ma in a subduction/collision tectonic setting. Massive eclogite slices and deformed eclogite in shear zones have bulk magnetic susceptibilities of 31 to 82·10^?5 S.I. and 28 to 75·10^?5 S.I., respectively. The paramagnetic mineral fraction is the principal magnetic susceptibility carrier. This fraction includes notably garnet and clinopyroxene as matrix minerals, and ilmenite and rutile as accessory constituents. Though magnetic anisotropy degree varies between 3.1 % and 6.6 %, variations of this parameter in each rock type are marked. In the deformed eclogite, magnetic lineation (K_max) and the pole to the magnetic foliation (K_min) are coaxial and coincident with macroscopic petrofabric elements (foliation and lineation). In the massive eclogite, the magnetic fabric is dispersed along the principal structural planes and inversions are associated with samples with small degrees of anisotropy. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility is interpreted as being due to the crystallographic preferred orientation and spatial organisation of the polymineralic aggregate. Relating the evolution of the symmetry of magnetic fabric to the symmetry of petrofabric or deformation is rather precluded since susceptibility has multiple origins and bulk magnetic fabric is due to minerals of different symmetry. © Elsevier, Paris     

AMS studies on a 450 km long 2216 Ma dyke from Dharwar craton,India:Implications to magma flow

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility(AMS)studies were carried out on a precisely dated(2216.0±0.9 Ma),450 km long N-S striking dyke in the Dharwar Craton,to determine the magma flow direction along the dyke length.In order to use the imbrication of the magnetic foliation,forty eight samples were collected from 13 locations along the length of the dyke.Magnetogranulometry studies show that AMS fabric is dominated by medium grained interstitial Ti-poor multidomain magnetite.The corrected anisotropy degree(P_j)of the samples was found to be low to moderate,between 1.007 and 1.072,which indicates primary magnetic fabric.The magnetic ellipsoid is either triaxial,prolate or oblate and clearly defines normal,intermediate and inverse magnetic fabrics related to magma flow during the dyke emplacement.The maximum susceptibility axes(K_(max))of the AMS tensor of the dyke is predominantly inclined at low angles(30°),with no systematic variation in depth along the N-S profile,indicating sub-horizontal flow even at mid crustal levels which could probably be governed by location of the focal region of the magma source(mantle plume?),flow dynamics together with the compressive stresses exerted by the overlying crust.     

湖北青峰韧性剪切带构造岩的磁性组构研究

通过对青峰韧性剪切带中糜棱岩的磁性组构研究,同时与常规主应变分析方法所测结果比较,表明岩石磁化率各向异性椭球体与应变椭球体之间有一定的对应关系。磁性组构的特征为构造岩变形机制,以及断裂带的运动学、动力学等的研究提供了一种比较可靠、准确、方便的方法。     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of eclogites: Mineralogical origin and correlation with the tectonic fabric (Cabo Ortegal,Spain)

The fabric and the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of the Cabo Ortegal eclogite (NW Spain) are studied. These mafic rocks were metamorphosed and deformed under high pressures and temperatures between 390 and 370 Ma in a subduction/collision tectonic setting. Massive eclogite slices and deformed eclogite in shear zones have bulk magnetic susceptibilities of 31 to 82 · 10⁻⁵ S.I. and 28 to 75 · 10⁻⁵ S.I., respectively. The paramagnetic mineral fraction is the principal magnetic susceptibility carrier. This fraction includes notably garnet and clinopyroxene as matrix minerals, and ilmenite and rutile as accessory constituents. Though magnetic anisotropy degree varies between 3.1 % and 6.6%, variations of this parameter in each rock type are marked. In the deformed eclogite, magnetic lineation (K_max) and the pole to the magnetic foliation (K_min) are coaxial and coincident with macroscopic petrofabric elements (foliation and lineation). In the massive eclogite, the magnetic fabric is dispersed along the principal structural planes and inversions are associated with samples with small degrees of anisotropy. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility is interpreted as being due to the crystallographic preferred orientation and spatial organisation of the polymineralic aggregate. Relating the evolution of the symmetry of magnetic fabric to the symmetry of petrofabric or deformation is rather precluded since susceptibility has multiple origins and bulk magnetic fabric is due to minerals of different symmetry.