We present 45 new determinations of the intensity of the geomagnetic field from basaltic rocks, less than 5 Ma in age, at sites mainly in the southern hemisphere. For 43 samples both Thelliers' (modified by Coe) and Shaw's (modified by Kono) methods were used and in some cases repeat measurements were made on several specimens. The results using the two methods are in excellent agreement and show no systematic difference. The within-specimen and between-sample measurements at each site exhibit internal consistency that can be associated with standard errors in the palaeointensities of 10%.
Very importantly the specimens for the determinations were individually selected using a new simple method based on low temperature susceptibility variation down to liquid nitrogen temperatures. Better than 90% success rate was achieved with such specimens in providing good palaeointensities using either method. We attribute the high success rate and the agreement between methods to the method of specimen selection.