Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994e%26psl.121...57m&link_type=abstract
Earth and Planetary Science Letters (ISSN 0012-821X), vol. 121, no. 1-2, p. 57-69
Physics
36
Geomagnetism, Magnetic Field Inversions, Paleomagnetism, Planetary Magnetic Fields, Polarity, Cretaceous Period, Reversing
Scientific paper
It has been suggested that there are several subchrons in the Brunhes, and this suggestion is gaining some acceptance. However, such a suggestion has fundamental implications for the reversal process, because it implies that the reverse polarity state has been substantially less stable than the normal polarity state during the Brunhes Chron. Analysis of the latest polarity reversal timescale confirms that there is no reason to reject the hypothesis of a common stability for the two polarity states. The Cretaceous Superchron appears to be a time when the reversal rate slowed to the point where the reversal process actually halted, so does not indicate any difference in the stability of the two polarity states. After examining the data we found no convincing evidence for even a single reversal event during the Brunhes, and we conclude that the only reversal excursions that are sufficiently well documented for the Brunhes are the Laschamp and the Blake. Further, we note that the question of whether of large excursions represent aborted reversals is unresolved, so excursion data should not at this stage be grouped with transition polarity data. Finally, we note that, most of the time, the nearly axially symmetric normal and reverse polarity states appear to be remarkably stable.
McFadden Paul L.
Merrill Ronald T.
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