Paleomagnetic Studies of Central North Pacific Sediment Cores: Stratigraphy, Sedimentation Rates, and the Origin of Magnetic Instability

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 1980 Paleomagnetic Studies of Central North Pacific Sediment Cores: Stratigraphy, Sedimentation Rates, and the Origin of Magnetic Instability Roger A. Prince; Roger A. Prince 1Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882 Department of Geology, Box 1846, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912; (Kominz) Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar G. Ross Heath; G. Ross Heath 2School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michelle Kominz Michelle Kominz 3Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882 Department of Geology, Box 1846, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912; (Kominz) Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1980) 91 (8_Part_II): 1789–1835. https://doi.org/10.1130/GSAB-P2-91-1789 Article history received: 08 Aug 1979 rev-recd: 14 Mar 1980 accepted: 19 Mar 1980 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Roger A. Prince, G. Ross Heath, Michelle Kominz; Paleomagnetic Studies of Central North Pacific Sediment Cores: Stratigraphy, Sedimentation Rates, and the Origin of Magnetic Instability. GSA Bulletin 1980;; 91 (8_Part_II): 1789–1835. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/GSAB-P2-91-1789 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Magnetic studies of five North Pacific piston cores taken from around a giant piston core at 30°20'N, 157°49'W show three major intervals with distinctly different remanent magnetizations. The sediments deposited during the last 2.43 m.y. have a stable remanence and reversal pattern that corresponds to the standard geomagnetic reversal sequence. Core to core variations in sedimentation rates reach as much as a factor of two, but the variations are very consistent for each of the magnetic units of the dated interval. From 2.43 to about 55 m.y. ago, the sediments were deposited an order of magnitude more slowly than the younger deposits, and are magnetically unstable. The transition from unstable to stable magnetic properties is attributed to the dilution of a magnetically unstable authigenic sediment component by a massive influx of eolian debris carrying magnetically stable minerals. The oldest sediments in the giant piston core (55 to about 65 m.y. old) are more like the surface deposits, and carry a stable remanent magnetization that indicates deposition at a paleolatitude of about 11°N. This is consistent with van Andel and others' (1975) model of rotation of the Pacific plate but not with Dalrymple and others' (1977) model. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.