Magnetic aftereffect in systems of single-domain interacting particles and magnetic viscosity of rocks

Using the model of single-domain interacting particles, certain magnetic aftereffects are examined. Under the thermal-activation mechanism of magnetization approximation, dependences of viscous remanent magnetization on time, temperature, and magnetic field are obtained that agree with experimental observations. We evaluate the dependence of the time of formation of viscous magnetization on the heating temperature of a sample is carried out. Viscous magnetization, caused by diffusion in magnetic particles, is calculated. A model of viscous magnetization in a system of heterogeneous interacting particles is constructed. The coupling of the degree of chemical heterogeneity of particles and the rate of viscous magnetization is established.     

Peaked thermomagnetic curves for hematite-bearing rocks and concentrates

Hematite-bearing rocks commonly have thermomagnetic curves with pronounced peaks in magnetization at temperatures which vary between samples. These peaks and their variability were reproduced for a sample of nearly-pure hematite in a series of different applied fields. With increasing applied field the peak sharpness became less marked and the “peak temperature” decreased. These results are similar to those obtained by Day (1975) for synthetic titanomagnetite powders, and a similar interpretation is proposed. Most laboratory fields are insufficient to saturate hematite, and the unsaturated magnetization increases and is unblocked and aligned with the field at temperatures critically dependent on the hysteretic properties of the sample. The natural tendency for magnetization to decay with increasing temperature then produces the observed peak.     

A magnetic study of single-crystal titanomagnetite (Fe2.4Ti0.6O4)

Single crystals of approximate composition Fe_2.4Ti_0.6O₄ were prepared from which spherical samples of diameters 1–2 mm were obtained. The measured values of the Königsberger ratio, the ratio of saturation remanence to saturation magnetization and a Lowrie-Fuller test showed that they were multidomain in character. The temperature variation of the coercive force and saturation magnetization was measured between room temperature and the Curie point. The field dependence of intensity of acquired thermoremanent magnetization (TRM) was determined. The predictions of some of the theoretical models for multidomain TRM, which, of necessity, apply to simplifications of real materials (either natural or synthetic), compare favourably with the results of the present study. The validity of the assumptions made in this comparison is discussed.     

Timing of diagenetic haematite growth in red pelagic limestones from Gubbio (Italy)

Magnetite, haematite, and to a minor extent maghaemite are recognised in the Cretaceous and Paleocene red pelagic limestones at Gubbio. The magnetite is detrital (or biological), whereas the haematite grew during diagenesis from a goethitic precursor. Thermal and AF demagnetization of samples collected from close to reversal boundaries indicate that the various magnetization components do not record the polarity reversal at exactly the same stratigraphic level. In the few tens of centimetersbelow a recorded geomagnetic reversal, defined by the magnetite magnetization, some of the haematite grains are magnetized in the post-reversal field. The blocking temperature spectra of this haematite fraction (with post-reversal magnetization) are found to shift toward higher temperatures as the reversal boundary is approached. The blocking temperature spectra reflect the grain size spectra of the haematite, which we interpret as arising by the continual nucleation of grains down to a certain burial depth where the conditions are no longer conducive to further haematite growth. The depth below reversal boundaries to which haematite with post-reversal magnetization can occur, is estimated to be about 60 cm (after compaction), and is equivalent to a time of about 10⁵ years for these particular sediments. A detailed study of the magnetization components at reversal boundaries indicates that the first diagenetic growth of haematite through the single-domain critical volume occurs prior to the mechanical fixation of the detrital (or biological) magnetite. Subsequently the diagenetic haematite grains do not rotate in response to the ambient geomagnetic field polarity as easily as the magnetite, because of their occurrence as pigmentary coatings on larger non-magnetic grains.     

A multicomponent,dual-polarity palaeomagnetic regional overprint from the Moine of northwest Scotland

Palaeomagnetic remanence may be reset by orogeny in a manner analogous to isotopic systems. The heavy mineral seams and associated psammite in the deformed and metamorphosed Lower Morar Division of the Moine Assemblage of northwest Scotland have a palaeomagnetic signature that is characteristic over a wide area. The various components of the magnetization are resolved by detailed thermal demagnetization. These components are post-tectonic, as they are not affected by any structural fabric. They may be classified according to blocking temperature and, when statistically distinguishable, show a systematic change of direction from high to lower temperature possibly associated with apparent polar wander. Comparison to the European palaeomagnetic record suggests a late Silurian to early Devonian age of magnetization for the localities south of the Strath Conon Fault. The distribution of remanance directions and blocking temperatures is not consistent with the pattern of potassium-argon ages in this part of the British Caledonides. If the magnetization is purely of thermal origin, the palaeomagnetic record indicates higher temperatures at later time than does the potassium-argon record. This remagnetization event is related to the closing stages of the Caledonian orogeny.     

Rock magnetic properties of Nihewan sediments at Xujiayao

Rock magnetic measurements of Nihewan sediments from Xujiayao section demonstrate that magnetite, hematite and maghemite are dominant remanent magnetization carriers. Monitoring the variations of magnetic susceptibility (MS) and saturating isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) at low temperature are the attractive ways of detecting the presence of magnetite, maghemitization and superparamagnetic grain sizes. Low-temperature MS investigations suggest that susceptibility enhancement for Xujiayao samples is mainly due to the remarkable presence of SD/MD magnetite to some degree though some magnetite grains have been partially oxidized at some depths. It is tentatively concluded that both SD/MD magnetite and hematite are of detrital origin and carry a characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM), whereas maghemite can be attributed to be chemical origin, overprinting a reversed polarity component of Matuyama age.     

A new method for the determination of the setting temperature of pyroclastic deposits (example of guadeloupe: french west indies)

When pyroclastic deposits settle at high temperature in a terrestrial magnetic field they memorize their setting temperature. This temperature varies from one type of deposit to the other, from ambient temperature for some airfall ashes up to hundreds of degrees centigrade for nuées ardentes or pumice flows. These temperatures also vary significantly with distance from the eruptive vent. At old events, it is often very difficult first to establish the nature of the deposit because of crystallizations or cements created by diagenesis, and then to locate the eroded eruptive centers. The exact assessment of the setting temperature allows one, on the one hand, to find both the nature and the emplacement process of the deposit and, on the other hand, to find the location of the eruptive centers, by working out a temperature map.The methods used up to now are all based on the analysis of objects buried in the flow, or on that of the surrounding rocks. Where burnt wood or heated objects are concerned, this analysis may be chemical or based on fossil thermoremanent magnetization in the case of potteries or rocks. Such objects are not always to be found, so the method proposed here uses samples drawn from the deposit itself. The principle, derived from Thellier's method, compares the natural magnetization lost during heating to the loss of total thermoremanent magnetization acquired during cooling in a known field. This method essentially differs from that of Thellier by a direct reading of the magnetization left at any high temperature. This process, which requires only two heatings, enables one to avoid any difficulty linked to magnetic interactions and to lessen the effect of mineralogical transformations.     

Theoretical grain-size thresholds and their application to accurate methods for paleointensity determination

New values of critical grain-size thresholds, d_s and d₀, for magnetite and Fe have been obtained using a rigorous theoretical approach. The temperature dependence of these thresholds is interesting in that they point up the existence of certain grains which, when cooled from above their blocking temperature, pass sequentially through the following magnetization states: superparamagnetic→single-domain→non-uniform magnetization. Such grains will yield correct paleointensities by the Wilson or Shaw method but not by the well-known method due to Thellier and Thellier.     

Field dependence of blocking temperature of single-domain magnetite

Blocking phenomenon of single-domain magnetite was studied in detail by measuring magnetization in a field as a function of temperature. Blocking temperature decreases with the increase of applied field. In addition, blocking temperature spectrum becomes very broad with increasing applied field. These tendencies are in agreement with Néel's single-domain theory. In fact, semi-quantitative agreement between experimental and theoretical blocking temperature spectrum is satisfactory.     

Self-suppression of phase transitions exemplified by the effects of (de)magnetization of magnetite at the Curie point under high pressure

Flux linkage between coaxial current and pick-up coils wound on a magnetite core, and measurements of the secondary voltage were used as the experimental basis for the determination of permeability. Measurements were made isobarically at pressures of up to 5.6 GPa on polycrystalline samples and single crystals with (111) axis. The Curie temperature, maximum and minimum permeability values, and the temperature coefficient of the permeability were determined as functions of the pressure. The pressure coefficient of the Curie temperature was found to vary from 4.7 to 20 K GPa^?1 for polycrystalline samples and from 17 to 22 k GPa^?1 for single crystals. The ferri-paramagnetic transition, although sharp, occurs over a finite temperature interval. At settings within this interval of rapidly-varying magnetization, the secondary voltage, signifying the permeability, was observed to be unstable and repeatedly self-reversing, thus resulting in oscillations of the values approaching the permeability maximum and, in reverse, the permeability minimum toward the paramagnetic state. Two explanations offer themselves for self-reversals: (1) core temperature changes resulting from changes in eddy current losses; and (2) magnetocaloric oscillations associated with spontaneous (de)magnetization. A case for magnetocaloric oscillations can be made on the grounds that spontaneous magnetization is accompanied by spontaneous strains, change in the specific heat and anomalous thermal expansion. The transition thus provides an example for a situation in which the isentropic values of relative variations of temperature with relative change in volume, which define Grüneisen's gamma, are anomalous.     

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.     

Separation of multi-component NRM: A general method

A method is presented which can successfully isolate components of remanent magnetization having intermediate relative stability in a single rock sample which contains any number of remanence components with overlapping coercivity or blocking temperature spectra. The approach consists of analysis of the path swept out by the vector destroyed during a detailed alternating field or thermal demagnetization run. The point of intersection determined for any two neighboring great circle segments identified in such a difference vector path defines the direction of such a component. Samples cored from a fragment of a Jurassic pillow basalt, shown to contain several components of magnetization, serve to illustrate the utility of the method for the case when the Zijderveld approach is unsuccessful.     

南海北部磁异常特征及对前新生代构造的指示

为了研究南海北部前新生代构造,利用新近的船载磁力测量数据,对磁异常进行变纬度化极,并反演计算视磁化强度和磁源重力异常,以及对三条OBS剖面进行重磁拟合.结果认为东沙隆起高磁异常带是浙闽沿海火山岩带向西的延续,其间被NW向古老的转换边界断裂F10错断;NE向的F2断裂是高磁异常带的南界,并限制了底侵活动的北界;F3断裂在...     

Experimental modeling of the chemical remanent magnetization and Thellier procedure on titanomagnetite-bearing basalts

The results of the experimental studies on creating chemical and partial thermal remanent magnetizations (or their combination), which are imparted at the initial stage of the laboratory process of the oxidation of primary magmatic titanomagnetites (Tmts) contained in the rock, are presented. For creating chemical remanent magnetization, the samples of recently erupted Kamchatka basalts were subjected to 200-h annealing in air in the temperature interval from 400 to 500°С under the action of the magnetic field on the order of the Earth’s magnetic field. After creation of this magnetization, the laboratory modeling of the Thellier–Coe and Wilson–Burakov paleointensity determination procedures was conducted on these samples. It is shown that when the primary magnetization is chemical, created at the initial stage of oxidation, and the paleointensity determined by these techniques is underestimated by 15–20% relative to its true values.     

Palaeomagnetic and mineralogical studies of Devonian lacustrine sediments from Caithness,Scotland

A variety of lacustrine sediments from the Devonian Caithness Flagstone Group in northern Scotland has been subjected to palaeomagnetic and mineralogical analysis. In general, the sediments show little evidence of a Devonian magnetization although this is partly seen in the Spital Flagstones. The magnetization seems to be dominated by Mesozoic overprints of normal and reversed polarity. The different sub-components of the magnetizations cannot be resolved thermally because of the difficulty of applying thermal demagnetization techniques above 400°C. At and above this temperature, sulphide oxidation results in laboratory magnetizations which obscure the NRM.Mineralogical studies show that the overprint is carried by Fe hydroxides in association with pyrite and marcasite grains (dolostones) or hematite in association with Cr-spinels (Achanarras Limestone). In the Spital Flagstones the relict Devonian magnetization and the normal Mesozoic overprint appears to be carried by magnetite. Our results show the importance of mineralogical studies in making realistic interpretation of the origin of magnetizations in ancient sediments.     

Magnetic blocking temperature

Formulae are derived for the 95% and 5% magnetic blocking temperatures in a cooling orogen when the spontaneous magnetization is allowed to vary realistically as a function of temperature. The solution is obtained for an assemblage of identical magnetic moments which can set either exactly parallel to or anti-parallel to a weak applied field.     

Origin of a magnetic lineation on Kyushu Island, Japan

Abstract Several linear magnetic anomalies over continental crust have been identified in and around the Japanese Islands. The anomalies are probably related to island arc tectonic structures, but identifying specific sources has been difficult. Several deep holes were drilled in and around Aso caldera, where a linear anomaly occurs along an active fault. One drillhole located on the linear anomaly encountered a zone of highly magnetized and altered basement rocks at least 100 m thick at a depth of ∼1000 m. The other hole was located away from the anomaly and did not encounter any high-magnetic zones. Rocks from the zone have exceptionally strong remanent magnetization (several tens of A/m) sub-parallel to the present field. AF demagnetization experiments indicated that the magnetization is hard and stable. Magnetic modeling indicates that the linear anomaly is caused mainly by this layer. Microscopic examination of core samples shows that the highly magnetized zone includes secondary magnetic minerals and abundant hydrothermal alterations. Temperatures determined by fluid inclusions and down-hole temperatures show that the temperature of the highly magnetized zone was elevated in the past relative to surrounding rocks. The high temperature could destroy primary magnetic minerals and replace them with secondary magnetic minerals. Thus, the past hydrothermal system may have enhanced thermo-chemical remanent magnetization. The results can produce a model indicating that there was a past hydrothermal system related to the tectonic structure.     

Some curious thermomagnetic curves and their interpretation

A study of the thermomagnetic curves of synthetic titanomagnetite powders, heated in air, in non-saturation applied magnetic fields showed that the shape of the curves was related to the magnitude of the applied field, the coercivity of the samples, and the effects of oxidation. The most important result to emerge from this study was the occurrence of reproducible peaks at low temperatures (～100–200°C). The temperature at which the peaks occur was found to increase with increasing coercive force or decreasing applied field. It is suggested that the peaks are the result of the “unblocking” of the magnetization, and should not be confused with thermomagnetic characteristics used to classify ferrites. The “unblocking” temperature is dependent on both the coercive force and the applied magnetic field, as is predicted by most models of thermo-remanent magnetization.     

Magnetic monitoring of top soils of Merida (Southern Mexico)

This paper focuses on the study of the correlation between magnetic parameters with the level of contamination by heavy metals in urban soils. We report a magnetic investigation of urban soil samples from Merida, state of Yucatan, Southern Mexico. It appears that most of our samples contain ferrimagnetic minerals as the magnetic carriers, probably coming from the titanomagnetites/titanomaghemites series. This is inferred by the acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization, which shows that most of samples are almost completely saturated at about 200 mT. The S₋₂₀₀ value (factor characterizing stability of remanent magnetization) is between 0.8 and 1.0, characteristic of ferrimagnetic minerals. The susceptibility vs. temperature measurements also point to some titanomaghemites and titanomagnetites as probable responsible for magnetization. On the other hand, measurements of magnetic susceptibility at high and low frequencies helped us to determine the high content of superparamagnetic grains in the majority of the samples, although not all of these showed high values of magnetic susceptibility. We found that the most contaminated samples by Pb and Zn showed the higher saturation isothermal remanent magnetization values, whereas the higher values in magnetic susceptibility correspond to samples contaminated by Cr. Finally, we noted that a high level in Sr decreases the magnetic susceptibility.