Abstract
THE magnetic properties of the basalts which form layer 2 of the oceanic lithosphere are important because of their relevance to the hypothesis1 of seafloor spreading. Most studies of these magnetic properties have been carried out on basalts obtained from dredge hauls taken predominantly from ocean ridge systems and fracture zones. These constitute special areas of the oceanic crust where the sediment cover is negligible. It is of interest to compare the magnetic properties of the dredged basalts with samples recovered from holes drilled through the overlying sediments into the basaltic layer at places distant from ridge axes. Samples obtained from the abandoned Mohole project and, more recently, from the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) possessed magnetic properties similar to those of dredged basalts2,3. Here I describe highly unstable magnetic characteristics found in basalts from DSDP hole 57.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Vine, F. J., and Matthews, D. H., Nature, 199, 947 (1963).
Cox, A., and Doell, R. R., J. Geophys. Res., 67, 3997 (1962).
Lowrie, W., Løvlie, R., and Opdyke, N. D., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. (in the press).
Phillips, J. D., and Forsyth, D., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 83, 1579 (1972).
Lowrie, W., and Opdyke, N. D., in Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, 14, 777 (US Government Printing Office, Washington, 1972).
Lowrie, W., and Opdyke, N. D., in Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, 15 (US Government Printing Office, Washington, in the press).
Ade-Hall, J. M., Aumento, F., Brooke, J., McKeown, D. L., Ryall, P. J. C., and Gerstein, R. E., Canad. J. Earth Sci. (in the press).
Fischer, A. G., et al., Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, 6, 493 (US Government Printing Office, Washington, 1971).
Melson, W. G., et al., Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, 6, 1119 (US Government Printing Office, Washington, 1971).
Wilson, R. L., and Watkins, N. S., Geophys. J., 12, 405 (1967).
Thellier, E., Ann. Inst. Phys. Globe, 16, 157 (1938).
Shimizu, Y., J. Geomag. Geoelect., Kyoto, 11, 125 (1960).
Néel, L., Ann. Géophys., 5, 99 (1949).
Néel, L., J. Phys. Rad., 12, 339 (1951).
Rimbert, F., Rev. Inst. Franç. Pétrole, 14, 1 (1959).
Biquand, D., and Prevot, M., Zeit. für Geofys., 37, 471 (1971).
Stacey, F. D., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2, 67 (1967).
Smith, J. D., and Foster, J. H., Science, 163, 565 (1969).
Bonhommet, N., and Zahringer, J., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 6, 43 (1969).
Mörner, N. A., Lanser, J. P., and Hospers, J., Nature Physical Science, 234, 173 (1971).
Barbetti, M., and McElhinny, M. W., Nature Physical Science, 239, 327 (1972).
Bucha, V., J. Geomag. Geoelect., 22, 253 (1970).
Vogt, P. R., Anderson, C. N., Bracey, D. R., and Schneider, E. D., J. Geophys. Res., 75, 3955 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LOWRIE, W. Viscous Remanent Magnetization in Oceanic Basalts. Nature 243, 27–29 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/243027a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/243027a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.