The Palaeomagnetic Laboratory

Palaeomagnetic and mineral magnetic data are used in a wide variety of Earth science disciplines. Reconstructions of the direction and intensity of the Earth's geomagnetic field can be produced from studies of igneous rocks, sediments and ceramic artefacts. These reconstructions can be used to (i) correlate and date geological archives and (ii) help us understand how the geomagnetic field is generated. In addition, the concentration and type of magnetic minerals found in nature can be diagnostic of the environmental conditions that prevailed at the time of their formation, with applicability to palaeoclimatology and biogeochemistry.

2G-Enterprises superconducting rock magnetometer (model 760), with in-line alternating field demagnetization coils, in-line DC coil for acquisition of anhysteric remanent magnetisations and a separate off-line pulse magnetiser for acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetisations for whole core sections up to fields of 1 Tesla.

Magnetic Measurements Ltd MMTD80 thermal demagnetizer equipped with a solenoid and constant current power supply for producing thermal remanent magnetisation as part of the Thellier-Thellier palaeointensity method.

Princeton Measurements Corporation alternating gradient magnetometer (M2900-2) for measuring room temperature magnetic hysteresis properties and time dependent magnetisations.

AGICO MFK-FA three frequency multifunction kappabridge for measuring anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and bulk magnetic susceptibility in weak variable magnetic fields.

For more information about the laboratory facilities contact Andreas Nilsson.

We are able to offer specific services/measurements on request. Please contact [email protected] with any queries.