The Magnetism of Some Permian Rocks from New South Wales

Abstract

Rock samples of Permian age from Australia have a natural remanent magnetization consisting of components with a wide range of stability. The components of high stability are directed almost vertically downwards. Magnetite is the dominant magnetic phase, and this shows a range of properties which are related to the degree of stability observed. The steep inclination of the directions indicates a high latitude in Permian time for Australia, and this is consistent with the occurrence in the Permian System of beds of supposed glacial origin. The positive polarity is the same as that found in most Permian and uppermost Carboniferous beds situated elsewhere in the world, and this leads to the proposal of the name Kiaman for this period of time. The boundaries of the Kiaman Magnetic Interval do not coincide with geological time divisions so that already existing geological names are not applicable.