Nature and origin of lamellar magnetism in the hematite-ilmenite series

Abstract

Grains consisting of finely exsolved members of the hematite-ilmenite solid-solution series, such as are present in some slowly cooled middle Proterozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks, impart unusually strong and stable remanent magnetization. TEM analysis shows multiple generations of ilmenite and hematite exsolution lamellae, with lamellar widths ranging from millimeters to nanometers. Rock-magnetic experiments suggest remanence is thermally locked to the antiferromagnetism of the hematite component of the intergrowths, yet is stronger than can be explained by canted antiferromagnetic (CAF) hematite or coexisting paramagnetic (PM) Fe-Ti-ordered (R3̅) ilmenite alone. In alternating field demagnetization to 100 mT, many samples lose little remanence, indicating that the NRM is stable over billions of years. This feature has implications for understanding magnetism of deep rocks on Earth, or on planets like Mars that no longer have a magnetic field.