How Old Is It? Part 2 – Magnetostratigraphy Teaching for Science • Learning for Lifetm |
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Is Earth's Magnetic Field Reversing? ⁎ Catherine Constable A, , Monika Korte B
Earth and Planetary Science Letters 246 (2006) 1–16 www.elsevier.com/locate/epsl Frontiers Is Earth's magnetic field reversing? ⁎ Catherine Constable a, , Monika Korte b a Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0225, USA b GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany Received 7 October 2005; received in revised form 21 March 2006; accepted 23 March 2006 Editor: A.N. Halliday Abstract Earth's dipole field has been diminishing in strength since the first systematic observations of field intensity were made in the mid nineteenth century. This has led to speculation that the geomagnetic field might now be in the early stages of a reversal. In the longer term context of paleomagnetic observations it is found that for the current reversal rate and expected statistical variability in polarity interval length an interval as long as the ongoing 0.78 Myr Brunhes polarity interval is to be expected with a probability of less than 0.15, and the preferred probability estimates range from 0.06 to 0.08. These rather low odds might be used to infer that the next reversal is overdue, but the assessment is limited by the statistical treatment of reversals as point processes. Recent paleofield observations combined with insights derived from field modeling and numerical geodynamo simulations suggest that a reversal is not imminent. The current value of the dipole moment remains high compared with the average throughout the ongoing 0.78 Myr Brunhes polarity interval; the present rate of change in Earth's dipole strength is not anomalous compared with rates of change for the past 7 kyr; furthermore there is evidence that the field has been stronger on average during the Brunhes than for the past 160 Ma, and that high average field values are associated with longer polarity chrons. -
MARS DURING the PRE-NOACHIAN. J. C. Andrews-Hanna1 and W. B. Bottke2, 1Lunar and Planetary La- Boratory, University of Arizona
Fourth Conference on Early Mars 2017 (LPI Contrib. No. 2014) 3078.pdf MARS DURING THE PRE-NOACHIAN. J. C. Andrews-Hanna1 and W. B. Bottke2, 1Lunar and Planetary La- boratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, [email protected], 2Southwest Research Institute and NASA’s SSERVI-ISET team, 1050 Walnut St., Suite 300, Boulder, CO 80302. Introduction: The surface geology of Mars appar- ing the pre-Noachian was ~10% of that during the ently dates back to the beginning of the Early Noachi- LHB. Consideration of the sawtooth-shaped exponen- an, at ~4.1 Ga, leaving ~400 Myr of Mars’ earliest tially declining impact fluxes both in the aftermath of evolution effectively unconstrained [1]. However, an planet formation and during the Late Heavy Bom- enduring record of the earlier pre-Noachian conditions bardment [5] suggests that the impact flux during persists in geophysical and mineralogical data. We use much of the pre-Noachian was even lower than indi- geophysical evidence, primarily in the form of the cated above. This bombardment history is consistent preservation of the crustal dichotomy boundary, to- with a late heavy bombardment (LHB) of the inner gether with mineralogical evidence in order to infer the Solar System [6] during which HUIA formed, which prevailing surface conditions during the pre-Noachian. followed the planet formation era impacts during The emerging picture is a pre-Noachian Mars that was which the dichotomy formed. less dynamic than Noachian Mars in terms of impacts, Pre-Noachian Tectonism and Volcanism: The geodynamics, and hydrology. crust within each of the southern highlands and north- Pre-Noachian Impacts: We define the pre- ern lowlands is remarkably uniform in thickness, aside Noachian as the time period bounded by two impacts – from regions in which it has been thickened by volcan- the dichotomy-forming impact and the Hellas-forming ism (e.g., Tharsis, Elysium) or thinned by impacts impact. -
Critical Analysis of Article "21 Reasons to Believe the Earth Is Young" by Jeff Miller
1 Critical analysis of article "21 Reasons to Believe the Earth is Young" by Jeff Miller Lorence G. Collins [email protected] Ken Woglemuth [email protected] January 7, 2019 Introduction The article by Dr. Jeff Miller can be accessed at the following link: http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=5641 and is an article published by Apologetic Press, v. 39, n.1, 2018. The problems start with the Article In Brief in the boxed paragraph, and with the very first sentence. The Bible does not give an age of the Earth of 6,000 to 10,000 years, or even imply − this is added to Scripture by Dr. Miller and other young-Earth creationists. R. C. Sproul was one of evangelicalism's outstanding theologians, and he stated point blank at the Legionier Conference panel discussion that he does not know how old the Earth is, and the Bible does not inform us. When there has been some apparent conflict, either the theologians or the scientists are wrong, because God is the Author of the Bible and His handiwork is in general revelation. In the days of Copernicus and Galileo, the theologians were wrong. Today we do not know of anyone who believes that the Earth is the center of the universe. 2 The last sentence of this "Article In Brief" is boldly false. There is almost no credible evidence from paleontology, geology, astrophysics, or geophysics that refutes deep time. Dr. Miller states: "The age of the Earth, according to naturalists and old- Earth advocates, is 4.5 billion years. -
Paleomagnetism and U-Pb Geochronology of the Late Cretaceous Chisulryoung Volcanic Formation, Korea
Jeong et al. Earth, Planets and Space (2015) 67:66 DOI 10.1186/s40623-015-0242-y FULL PAPER Open Access Paleomagnetism and U-Pb geochronology of the late Cretaceous Chisulryoung Volcanic Formation, Korea: tectonic evolution of the Korean Peninsula Doohee Jeong1, Yongjae Yu1*, Seong-Jae Doh2, Dongwoo Suk3 and Jeongmin Kim4 Abstract Late Cretaceous Chisulryoung Volcanic Formation (CVF) in southeastern Korea contains four ash-flow ignimbrite units (A1, A2, A3, and A4) and three intervening volcano-sedimentary layers (S1, S2, and S3). Reliable U-Pb ages obtained for zircons from the base and top of the CVF were 72.8 ± 1.7 Ma and 67.7 ± 2.1 Ma, respectively. Paleomagnetic analysis on pyroclastic units yielded mean magnetic directions and virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) as D/I = 19.1°/49.2° (α95 =4.2°,k = 76.5) and VGP = 73.1°N/232.1°E (A95 =3.7°,N =3)forA1,D/I = 24.9°/52.9° (α95 =5.9°,k =61.7)and VGP = 69.4°N/217.3°E (A95 =5.6°,N=11) for A3, and D/I = 10.9°/50.1° (α95 =5.6°,k = 38.6) and VGP = 79.8°N/ 242.4°E (A95 =5.0°,N = 18) for A4. Our best estimates of the paleopoles for A1, A3, and A4 are in remarkable agreement with the reference apparent polar wander path of China in late Cretaceous to early Paleogene, confirming that Korea has been rigidly attached to China (by implication to Eurasia) at least since the Cretaceous. The compiled paleomagnetic data of the Korean Peninsula suggest that the mode of clockwise rotations weakened since the mid-Jurassic. -
39. Paleomagnetic Results from Early Tertiary/Late Cretaceous Sediments of Site 384
39. PALEOMAGNETIC RESULTS FROM EARLY TERTIARY/LATE CRETACEOUS SEDIMENTS OF SITE 384 P. A. Larson and N. D. Opdyke, Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, New York ABSTRACT Magnetic measurements were made on samples taken from the region of the Tertiary/Cretaceous boundary at Site 384. We had hoped that the magnetic stratigraphy of this section could be used to independently substantiate the magnetic stratigraphy of a section of the same age at Gubbio, Italy. Although an attempt has been made to correlate the two sections, the quality of the magnetic data is too poor either to confirm or deny the Gubbio results. INTRODUCTION inclination for this section of Site 384 should lie be¬ tween 46° and 58°. This range of inclinations is indi¬ A type section for the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene cated by the two stippled bands on the plot in Figure portion of the geomagnetic reversal time scale has been 2. As can seen in the figure, the actual inclination val¬ proposed recently from studies of the pelagic limestone ues are considerably scattered. The normally magnet¬ sequence at Gubbio, Italy (Alvarez et al., 1977; Lowrie ized specimens have an average inclination of 43.3° and Alvarez, 1977; Roggenthen and Napoleone, (standard deviation = 19.6°), while the reversely 1977). The upper Maestrichtian-Danian sediments magnetized ones average -24.9° (standard deviation from Site 384 were studied to see whether they would = 22.1°). These averages exclude specimens which fall yield a magnetic stratigraphy correlative to the section within the two hachured zones in the polarity diagram at Gubbio. of Figure 2. -
“Anthropocene” Epoch: Scientific Decision Or Political Statement?
The “Anthropocene” epoch: Scientific decision or political statement? Stanley C. Finney*, Dept. of Geological Sciences, California Official recognition of the concept would invite State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, California 90277, cross-disciplinary science. And it would encourage a mindset USA; and Lucy E. Edwards**, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, that will be important not only to fully understand the Virginia 20192, USA transformation now occurring but to take action to control it. … Humans may yet ensure that these early years of the ABSTRACT Anthropocene are a geological glitch and not just a prelude The proposal for the “Anthropocene” epoch as a formal unit of to a far more severe disruption. But the first step is to recognize, the geologic time scale has received extensive attention in scien- as the term Anthropocene invites us to do, that we are tific and public media. However, most articles on the in the driver’s seat. (Nature, 2011, p. 254) Anthropocene misrepresent the nature of the units of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, which is produced by That editorial, as with most articles on the Anthropocene, did the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and serves as not consider the mission of the International Commission on the basis for the geologic time scale. The stratigraphic record of Stratigraphy (ICS), nor did it present an understanding of the the Anthropocene is minimal, especially with its recently nature of the units of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart proposed beginning in 1945; it is that of a human lifespan, and on which the units of the geologic time scale are based. -
Golden Spikes, Transitions, Boundary Objects, and Anthropogenic Seascapes
sustainability Article A Meaningful Anthropocene?: Golden Spikes, Transitions, Boundary Objects, and Anthropogenic Seascapes Todd J. Braje * and Matthew Lauer Department of Anthropology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 27 June 2020; Accepted: 7 August 2020; Published: 11 August 2020 Abstract: As the number of academic manuscripts explicitly referencing the Anthropocene increases, a theme that seems to tie them all together is the general lack of continuity on how we should define the Anthropocene. In an attempt to formalize the concept, the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) is working to identify, in the stratigraphic record, a Global Stratigraphic Section and Point (GSSP) or golden spike for a mid-twentieth century Anthropocene starting point. Rather than clarifying our understanding of the Anthropocene, we argue that the AWG’s effort to provide an authoritative definition undermines the original intent of the concept, as a call-to-arms for future sustainable management of local, regional, and global environments, and weakens the concept’s capacity to fundamentally reconfigure the established boundaries between the social and natural sciences. To sustain the creative and productive power of the Anthropocene concept, we argue that it is best understood as a “boundary object,” where it can be adaptable enough to incorporate multiple viewpoints, but robust enough to be meaningful within different disciplines. Here, we provide two examples from our work on the deep history of anthropogenic seascapes, which demonstrate the power of the Anthropocene to stimulate new thinking about the entanglement of humans and non-humans, and for building interdisciplinary solutions to modern environmental issues. -
Geologic Time and Geologic Maps
NAME GEOLOGIC TIME AND GEOLOGIC MAPS I. Introduction There are two types of geologic time, relative and absolute. In the case of relative time geologic events are arranged in their order of occurrence. No attempt is made to determine the actual time at which they occurred. For example, in a sequence of flat lying rocks, shale is on top of sandstone. The shale, therefore, must by younger (deposited after the sandstone), but how much younger is not known. In the case of absolute time the actual age of the geologic event is determined. This is usually done using a radiometric-dating technique. II. Relative geologic age In this section several techniques are considered for determining the relative age of geologic events. For example, four sedimentary rocks are piled-up as shown on Figure 1. A must have been deposited first and is the oldest. D must have been deposited last and is the youngest. This is an example of a general geologic law known as the Law of Superposition. This law states that in any pile of sedimentary strata that has not been disturbed by folding or overturning since accumulation, the youngest stratum is at the top and the oldest is at the base. While this may seem to be a simple observation, this principle of superposition (or stratigraphic succession) is the basis of the geologic column which lists rock units in their relative order of formation. As a second example, Figure 2 shows a sandstone that has been cut by two dikes (igneous intrusions that are tabular in shape).The sandstone, A, is the oldest rock since it is intruded by both dikes. -
Equivalence of Current–Carrying Coils and Magnets; Magnetic Dipoles; - Law of Attraction and Repulsion, Definition of the Ampere
GEOPHYSICS (08/430/0012) THE EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD OUTLINE Magnetism Magnetic forces: - equivalence of current–carrying coils and magnets; magnetic dipoles; - law of attraction and repulsion, definition of the ampere. Magnetic fields: - magnetic fields from electrical currents and magnets; magnetic induction B and lines of magnetic induction. The geomagnetic field The magnetic elements: (N, E, V) vector components; declination (azimuth) and inclination (dip). The external field: diurnal variations, ionospheric currents, magnetic storms, sunspot activity. The internal field: the dipole and non–dipole fields, secular variations, the geocentric axial dipole hypothesis, geomagnetic reversals, seabed magnetic anomalies, The dynamo model Reasons against an origin in the crust or mantle and reasons suggesting an origin in the fluid outer core. Magnetohydrodynamic dynamo models: motion and eddy currents in the fluid core, mechanical analogues. Background reading: Fowler §3.1 & 7.9.2, Lowrie §5.2 & 5.4 GEOPHYSICS (08/430/0012) MAGNETIC FORCES Magnetic forces are forces associated with the motion of electric charges, either as electric currents in conductors or, in the case of magnetic materials, as the orbital and spin motions of electrons in atoms. Although the concept of a magnetic pole is sometimes useful, it is diácult to relate precisely to observation; for example, all attempts to find a magnetic monopole have failed, and the model of permanent magnets as magnetic dipoles with north and south poles is not particularly accurate. Consequently moving charges are normally regarded as fundamental in magnetism. Basic observations 1. Permanent magnets A magnet attracts iron and steel, the attraction being most marked close to its ends. -
2. Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
2-1 2. GEOMAGNETISM AND PALEOMAGNETISM 1 https://physicalgeology.pressbooks.com/chapter/4-3-geological-renaissance-of-the-mid-20th-century/ 2 2-2 ELECTRIC q Q FIELD q -Q 3 MAGNETIC DIPOLE Although magnetic fields have a similar form to electric fields, they differ because there are no single magnetic "charges," known as magnetic poles. Hence the fundamental entity is the magnetic dipole arising from an electric current I circulating in a conducting loop, such as a wire, with area A . The field is described as resulting from a magnetic dipole characterized by a dipole moment m Magnetic dipoles can arise from electric currents - which are moving electric charges - on scales ranging from wire loops to the hot fluid moving in the core that generates the earth’s magnetic field. They also arise at the atomic level, where they are intrinsic properties of charged particles like protons and electrons. As a result, rocks can be magnetized, much like familiar bar magnets. Although the magnetism of a bar magnet arises from the electrons within it, it can be viewed as a magnetic dipole, with north and south magnetic poles at opposite ends. 4 2-3 MAGNETIC FIELD 5 We visualize the magnetic field of a dipole in terms of magnetic field lines pointing outward from the north pole of a bar magnet and in toward the south. The lines point in the direction another bar magnet, such as a compass needle, would point. At any point, the north pole of the compass needle would point along the DIPOLE field line, toward the south pole MAGNETIC of the bar magnet. -
Constraining in Situ Cosmogenic Nuclide Paleo-Production Rates Using Sequential Lava flows During a Paleomagnetic field Strength Low
Journal Pre-proof Constraining in situ cosmogenic nuclide paleo-production rates using sequential lava flows during a paleomagnetic field strength low A.M. Balbas, K.A. Farley PII: S0009-2541(19)30484-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.119355 Reference: CHEMGE 119355 To appear in: Received Date: 6 August 2019 Revised Date: 26 September 2019 Accepted Date: 31 October 2019 Please cite this article as: Balbas AM, Farley KA, Constraining in situ cosmogenic nuclide paleo-production rates using sequential lava flows during a paleomagnetic field strength low, Chemical Geology (2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.119355 This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. © 2019 Published by Elsevier. 1 Constraining in situ cosmogenic nuclide paleo-production rates using sequential lava flows during a paleomagnetic field strength low A.M. Balbas1,2*, K.A. Farley2 1 College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA 2Department of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA * Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract The geomagnetic field prevents a portion of incoming cosmic rays from reaching Earth’s atmosphere. -
2. Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
2. GEOMAGNETISM AND PALEOMAGNETISM https://physicalgeology.pressbooks.com/chapter/4-3-geological-renaissance-of-the-mid-20th-century/ Click for audio Topic 2a 1 Topic 2a 2 q Q ELECTRIC FIELD q -Q Topic 2a 3 MAGNETIC DIPOLE Although magnetic fields have a similar form to electric fields, they differ because there are no single magnetic "charges," known as magnetic poles. Hence the fundamental entity is the magnetic dipole arising from an electric current I circulating in a conducting loop, such as a wire, with area A . The field is described as resulting from a magnetic dipole characterized by a dipole moment m Magnetic dipoles can arise from electric currents - which are moving electric charges - on scales ranging from wire loops to the hot fluid moving in the core that generates the earth’s magnetic field. They also arise at the atomic level, where they are intrinsic properties of charged particles like protons and electrons. As a result, rocks can be magnetized, much like familiar bar magnets. Although the magnetism of a bar magnet arises from the electrons within it, it can be viewed as a magnetic dipole, with north and south magnetic poles at opposite ends. Topic 2a 4 Magnetic field B Units of B Tesla (T) = kg/s 2 -A A = Ampere (unit of current) Gauss (G) = 10-4 Tesla Gamma (! )= 10-9 Tesla = 1 nanoTesla (nT) Earth’s field is about 50 "T = 50 x 10-6 Tesla Topic 2a 5 We visualize the magnetic field of a dipole in terms of magnetic field lines pointing outward from the north pole of a bar magnet and in toward the south.