Publication Date:
2013-09-01
Description:
We obtain new 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages for three lavas that record part of the Matuyama-Brunhes geomagnetic field reversal process on Guadeloupe. These lavas record a reversed-transitional-reversed magnetostratigraphy and yield a weighted mean isochron age of 785.2 ± 5.2 ka (2σ analytical uncertainty) relative to an age for the Fish Canyon sanidine standard of 28.201 Ma. This age is of greater accuracy than ages obtained previously by K-Ar dating. These lavas may record directional fluctuations occurring between the Matuyama-Brunhes precursor and the final directional reversal. Such variations have been observed in some globally distributed coupled paleomagnetic and oxygen isotope marine sedimentary records of the Matuyama-Brunhes reversal. Previous paleointensity estimates from these lavas indicate reduced, but fluctuating field strength during this time.
Electronic ISSN:
1525-2027
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
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Geosciences
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Physics