The Workings of Paleomagnetism

INTRODUCTION

After a quick definitional search on Wikipedia, paleomagnetism is defined as the study of the orientation of archaeological materials which is used to determine the orientation of the Earth’s magnetic field over a geological time frame. The goal of paleomagnetism is to use archaeological material as a means to gain more insight on the Earth’s process in the past. For this paper I will discuss how paleomagnetism works, the equipment used, the materials analyzed, and costs of this method. I will also introduce two studies that utilize the paleomagnetic method to further exemplify how this technique can is used.

HOW IT WORKS

In order to understand paleomagnetism, one needs to understand magnetism how magnetism works. According to the article, Paleomagnetic and Archaeomagnetic Dating, whenever electrically charged particles are moving, magnetism is present. Because the Earth’s core contains electric currents, a magnetic field is created and extended to space when the Earth rotates. The Earth’s magnetic north pole can change and this change in orientation can be detected through an analysis of Earth’s sediments.

In order to complete an analysis of Earth’s sediments, certain tools are used to test archaeological samples so a more accurate record is provided. The SIO Paleomagnetic Laboratory at the University of California San Diego provides a list of equipment they use for paleomagnetic studies. The common tools include a cryogenic magnetometer, a thermal demagnetizer, thermal and alternating field demagnetization equipment, a hand rasp, and a gasoline or electric drill. Other equipment includes a Kappabridge susceptibility instrument, an alternating gradient force magnetometer, and a Curie balance. While only...

... middle of paper ...

...nxiong Basin. About four to six samples were collected from 99 different sites by hand and drill. Once collected, the samples were analyzed with a magnetometer and demagnetized with a thermal and blind-field magnetizer. After completing this procedure, the paleomagnetists discovered that their samples were stable thermal demagnetization behavior and ultimately resolved uncertainty on Nanxiong boundary, while defining the times of the Early Paleocene mammalian revolution and recovery.

Why should we care about this information? These studies are important because they come closer to a conclusion, if one hasn't been found. Paleomagnetism does not just reveal Earth’s past process but could possibly inspire new hypotheses on cultural patterns. Coming to conclusions with these studies or discovering new information give us a better insight into Earth and life before us.