Magnetic observation of ODP Site 152-919 in the Irminger Basin, North Atlantic

Component natural remanent magnetizations derived from u-channel and 1-qcm discrete samples from ODP Site 919 (Irminger Basin) indicate the existence of four intervals of negative inclinations in the upper Brunhes Chronozone. According to the age model based on planktic oxygen isotope data, these "excursional" intervals occur in sediments deposited during the following time intervals: 32-34 ka, 39-41 ka, 180-188 ka and 205-225 ka. These time intervals correspond to polarity excursions detected elsewhere, known as Mono Lake, Laschamp, Iceland Basin and Pringle Falls. The isotope-based age model is supported by the normalized remanence (paleointensity) record that can be correlated to other calibrated paleointensity records for the 0-500 ka interval, such as that from ODP Site 983. For the intervals associated with the Mono Lake and Laschamp excursions, virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) reach equatorial latitudes and mid-southerly latitudes, respectively. For intervals associated with the Iceland Basin and Pringle Falls excursions, repeated excursions of VGPs to high southerly latitudes indicate rapid directional swings rather than a single short-lived polarity reversal. The directional instability associated with polarity excursions is not often recorded, probably due to smoothing of the sedimentary record by the process of detrital remanence (DRM) acquisition.

Rock magnetic properties of ODP Hole 109-670A

The magnetic properties of 11 samples from Site 670 of Leg 109, 3 harzburgites and 8 highly serpentinized peridotites, have been studied. Reflected light microscopy and Curie temperatures confirm that magnetite is the dominant magnetic mineral in all samples. However, both rock types show different magnetic behavior. Susceptibility, saturation magnetization, and NRM are higher for the serpentinites, because of the higher magnetite content. The hysteresis parameters indicate magnetite particles with pseudosingle domain structure for both rock types. For the remarkable anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility no definite explanation could be found, because of the complex texture of the samples. In both rock types the presence of maghemite, a product of low temperature oxidation of magnetite, has been indicated by reflected light microscopy and by thermomagnetic analysis. As the maghemite converts to hematite at temperatures above 350°C, the temperature during the serpentinization was below this value assuming that the maghemitization took place at the same time.