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The relationship between magnetic field strength and reversal frequency: Preliminary palaeointensity results from the cretaceous quiet zone

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Summary

It has been predicted that the geomagnetic field strength will be at its highest during periods of low reversal frequency. Using basaltic lavas from Israel and India, which were erupted during the 35 Ma interval of normal polarity in the mid-Cretaceous (the Cretaceous Quiet Zone), we have obtained palaeointensity estimates. The mean virtual dipole moments from the two areas are about 75% of the present value. This suggests that there is no simple relationship between the time averaged strength of the dipole and the frequency of reversals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geomagnetism Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Liverpool, PO Box 147, L69 3BX, Liverpool, England

    John Shaw

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  1. Graham J. Sherwood
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  2. John Shaw
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Sherwood, G.J., Shaw, J. The relationship between magnetic field strength and reversal frequency: Preliminary palaeointensity results from the cretaceous quiet zone. Stud Geophys Geod 35, 325–333 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01613978

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01613978

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