Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 31

ORIGINS OF NATURAL
REMANENT MAGNETISM
Of all the chapters in this book, this is “The Big Enchilada,” the one you cannot skip. The physical processes
leading to acquisition of natural remanent magnetism are presented here. Perhaps the most fundamental
and fascinating aspect of paleomagnetism concerns the processes by which the geomagnetic field can be
recorded at the time of rock formation and then retained over geological time. We want to remove any hint
of “magic” from this aspect of paleomagnetism, preferably without removing the reader’s natural astonish-
ment that the processes actually work. Only the basic physical principles of each type of natural remanent
magnetism are discussed. Some special topics in rock magnetism will be developed further in Chapter 8.
Many new concepts are presented, and some effort is required to follow the development. You will most
likely have to read through this chapter more than once to see how these new concepts fit together. But
effort at this point will be rewarded by ease of comprehension of principles developed in succeeding chap-
ters. We start with a presentation of the theory of fine-particle ferromagnetism, which underlies all develop-
ment of rock magnetism.

FERROMAGNETISM OF FINE PARTICLES

Rocks are assemblages of fine-grained ferromagnetic minerals dispersed within a matrix of diamagnetic
and paramagnetic minerals. We are concerned with the magnetization of individual ferromagnetic grains on
the one hand. But on the other hand, we must keep track of the magnetization of the rock, the entire
assemblage of ferromagnetic grains plus matrix. It is useful to introduce a notation that distinguishes be-
tween magnetic parameters of individual ferromagnetic grains and magnetic parameters of entire samples.
We adopt the convention that parameters for individual ferromagnetic grains are denoted by lowercase
symbols, whereas parameters for the entire sample are designated by uppercase symbols. For example,
the magnetization of an individual magnetite particle is designated j while the magnetization of the whole
sample is designated J.
A basic principle is that ferromagnetic particles have various energies which control their magnetization.
No matter how simple or complex the combination of energies may become, the grain seeks the configura-
tion of magnetization which minimizes its total energy.

Magnetic domains
The first step is to introduce concepts and observations of magnetic domains. Consider the spherical
particle of ferromagnetic material with uniform magnetization shown in Figure 3.1a. Atomic magnetic mo-
ments can be modeled as pairs of magnetic charges (as in Figure 1.1a). Magnetic charges of adjacent
atoms cancel internal to the particle but produce a magnetic charge distribution at the surface of the particle.
For a spherical particle, one hemisphere has positive charge and the other has negative charge. There is
energy stored in this charge distribution because of repulsion between adjacent charges. This is magneto-
static energy, em.
We will soon develop an equation to determine the magnetostatic energy for a uniformly magnetized
grain. At this point, all we need to know is that, for a grain with uniform magnetization j, em is proportional to j 2.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 32

a b c
+ +
+ +
+ +

- -
- -
- -

Figure 3.1 (a) Uniformly magnetized sphere of ferromagnetic material. The direction of saturation
magnetization js is shown by the arrow; surface magnetic charges are shown by plus and minus
signs. (b) Sphere of ferromagnetic material subdivided into magnetic domains. Arrows show the
directions of js within individual magnetic domains; planes separating adjacent magnetic domains
are domain walls. (c) Rotation of atomic magnetic moments within a domain wall. Arrows
indicate the atomic magnetic moments which spiral in direction inside the domain wall.

A uniformly magnetized ferromagnetic grain has j = js, and magnetostatic energy is extreme for materials
with high js.
Formation of magnetic domains as shown in Figure 3.1b decreases magnetostatic energy because the
percent of surface covered by magnetic charges is reduced and charges of opposite sign are adjacent
rather than separated. Internal to any individual domain, the magnetization is js, but the entire grain has net
magnetization, j << js. Magnetite grains of diameter d > 10 µm contain scores of domains and are referred
to as multidomain (MD) grains. The region separating domains is the domain wall (Figure 3.1c). Because
of exchange energy between adjacent atoms, atomic magnetic moments gradually spiral through the do-
main wall, which has both finite energy and finite width (~1000 Å for magnetite).

Single-domain grains
With decreasing grain size, the number of magnetic domains decreases. Eventually, the grain becomes so
small that the energy required to make a domain wall is larger than the decrease in magnetostatic energy
resulting from dividing the grain into two domains. Below this particle size, it is not energetically favorable to
subdivide the grain into numerous domains. Instead, the grain will contain only one domain. These grains
are referred to as single-domain (SD) grains, and magnetic properties of SD grains are dramatically different
from those of MD grains.
The grain diameter below which particles are single domain is the single-domain threshold grain size
(d0). This size depends upon factors including grain shape and saturation magnetization, js. Ferromagnetic
materials with low js have little impetus to form magnetic domains because magnetostatic energy is low.
Thus, hematite (with js = 2 G) is SD up to grain diameter (d0) = 15 µm, so a large portion of hematite
encountered in rocks is single domain. However, magnetite has much higher js and only fine-grained mag-
netite is SD. Theoretical values for d0 in parallelepiped-shaped particles of magnetite are shown in Figure 3.2.
Cubic magnetite particles must have d < 0.1 µm to be SD, but elongated SD particles can be upward to
1 µm in length. In discussion of magnetic mineralogy in Chapter 2, examples of fine-grained magnetites
were presented. So we know that fine-grained magnetites do exist and that crystals of elongate habit are
common. Igneous rocks and their derivative sediments generally have some fraction of magnetite grains
within the SD grain-size range.
SD grains can be very efficient carriers of remanent magnetization. To understand the behavior of SD
grains, we must become familiar with energies that collectively control the direction of magnetization in a SD
grain. These energies are introduced individually, then the collective effects are considered to explain
hysteresis parameters.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 33

10000 1.0

do

Two Domains

Particle length ( m)
Particle length (Å)

1000 0.1

Single-Domain

= 4.5 b.y.
ds
= 100 s

Superparamagnetic
100 0.01
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Ratio of width to length

Figure 3.2 Size and shape ranges of single-domain, superparamagnetic, and two-domain configurations
for parallelepipeds of magnetite at 290°K. Particle lengths are indicated in angstroms (Å) on the
left ordinate and in microns (µm) on the right ordinate; shape is indicated by the ratio of width to
length; cubic grains are at the right-hand side of diagram; progressively elongate grains are
toward the left; the curve labeled d0 separates the single-domain size and shape field from the
size and shape distribution of grains that contain two domains; curves labeled ds are size and
shape distribution of grains that have τ = 4.5 b.y. and τ = 100 s; grains with sizes below ds curves
are superparamagnetic. Redrawn after Butler and Banerjee (J. Geophys. Res., v. 80, 4049–
4058, 1975).

Interaction energy
There is an interaction energy, eH, between the magnetization of individual ferromagnetic particles, j, and an
applied magnetic field, H. This energy essentially represents the interaction between the magnetic field and
the atomic magnetic moments (Equation (1.4)) integrated over the volume of the ferromagnetic grain.
The interaction energy describes how the magnetization of a ferromagnetic grain is influenced by an
externally applied magnetic field. (In detail, one has to deal with balancing torques on the magnetization, j,
from the external field against internal energies that resist rotation of j. But a simplified approach will serve
our purpose.) The interaction energy, eH, is given by

−j⋅ H
eH = (3.1)
2
This is an energy density (energy per unit volume) and applies to both SD and MD grains.
Single-domain grains have uniform magnetization with j = js. So application of a magnetic field cannot
change the intensity of magnetization but can rotate js toward the applied field. However, there are resis-
tances to rotation of js. These resistances are referred to as anisotropies and lead to energetically preferred
directions for js within individual SD grains. The dominant anisotropies are shape anisotropy and
magnetocrystalline anisotropy.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 34

The internal demagnetizing field

As discussed above, a surface magnetic charge results from magnetization of a ferromagnetic substance
directed toward the grain surface. For a spherical SD grain, the magnetic charge distribution is shown in
Figure 3.3a. The magnetic field produced by this grain can be determined from the magnetic charge distri-
bution. For a uniformly magnetized sphere, the resulting external magnetic field is a dipole field (Equations
(1.12)–(1.15)). But the magnetic charge distribution also produces a magnetic field internal to the ferromag-
netic grain. This internal magnetic field is shown in Figure 3.3b and is called the internal demagnetizing field
because it opposes the magnetization of the grain.

a b
+ + + + + + + +
+ + + +
HD
js
- - - -
- - - - - - - -

c d
+ + + + + + +
- + + +
js js
- + - - - - - - - - -

Figure 3.3 (a) Surface magnetic charge distribution resulting from uniform magnetization of a spherical
ferromagnetic grain. The arrow indicates the direction of saturation magnetization js; plus and
minus signs indicate surface magnetic charges. (b) Internal demagnetizing field, HD, resulting
from the surface magnetic charge of a uniformly magnetized sphere. HD is uniform within the
grain. (c) Surface magnetic charge produced by magnetization of an SD grain along the long
axis of the grain. The arrow indicates the direction of saturation magnetization js; plus and minus
signs indicate surface magnetic charges; note that magnetic charges are restricted to the ends of
the grain. (d) Surface magnetic charge produced by magnetization of an SD grain perpendicular
to the long axis of the grain. The arrow indicates the direction of saturation magnetization js; plus
and minus signs indicate surface magnetic charges; note that magnetic charges appear over the
entire upper and lower surfaces of the grain.

For uniformly magnetized ellipsoids, the internal demagnetizing field, HD, is given by

HD = –ND j (3.2)

where j is the magnetization of the grain and ND is the internal demagnetizing factor. The internal demag-
netizing factor is a coefficient relating the strength of the internal demagnetizing field to the magnetization.
The internal demagnetizing factor along any particular direction is proportional to the percentage of the grain
surface covered by magnetic charges when the grain is magnetized in that direction. If you erect a Carte-
sian (x, y, z) coordinate system inside the ferromagnetic grain, the internal demagnetizing factors along the
three orthogonal directions must sum to 4π:

NDx + NDy + NDz = 4π (3.3)

where NDx is the internal demagnetizing factor along the x direction and so on.
Now consider a spherical SD grain (Figure 3.3a). No matter what direction the magnetization points, the
same percentage of the grain surface gets covered by magnetic charges. This means that
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 35

4π
N Dx = N Dy = N Dz = (3.4)
3
So the internal demagnetizing field for a spherical SD grain is

4π 4π
HD = − j = − js (3.5)
3 3
With this result, we can show how to determine the magnetostatic energy. For a uniformly magnetized
ellipsoid, the magnetostatic energy is the interaction energy of the internal demagnetizing field with the
magnetization in the grain:

em = −
j⋅ H
=−
j ⋅ HD ( j ) ⋅ (− N D js ) = N D js2
=− s (3.6)
2 2 2 2
This expression makes it clear why SD grains have high magnetostatic energy, especially if js is large.

Shape anisotropy
We can also use the internal demagnetizing field and magnetostatic energy to introduce shape anisotropy.
The origin of shape anisotropy is illustrated in Figures 3.3c and 3.3d. A highly elongate ferromagnetic grain
has much lower magnetostatic energy if magnetized along its length (Figure 3.3c) rather than perpendicular
to its length (Figure 3.3d). This is because the percentage of surface covered by magnetic charges is small
when js points along the long dimension of the grain (Figure 3.3c). But magnetization perpendicular to the
long axis leads to a substantial surface charge (Figure 3.3d). So the internal demagnetizing factor, NDl,
along the long axis is much less than the internal demagnetizing factor, NDp, perpendicular to the long axis.
We can use Equation (3.6) to determine the difference in magnetostatic energy between magnetization
along the long axis and magnetization perpendicular to the long axis. The difference in magnetostatic
energy is

(N Dp − N Dl ) js 2 ∆N D js 2
∆em = = (3.7)
2 2
where ∆ND is the difference in demagnetizing factors between short and long axes. This difference in
magnetostatic energy represents an energy barrier to rotation of js through the perpendicular direction. In
the absence of other influences, the grain will have js along the long axis.
To force js over the magnetostatic energy barrier, an external magnetic field must result in an interaction
energy, eH, which exceeds the energy barrier, ∆em. By using Equations (3.1) and (3.7) the required interac-
tion energy is

j H ∆N D js 2
eH = s > ∆em = (3.8)
2 2
The required magnetic field is given by

hc = ∆N D js (3.9)

The magnetic field hc required to force js over the energy barrier of an individual SD grain is the micro-
scopic coercive force. This microscopic coercive force is a measure of the energy barrier to rotation of js in
a SD grain and will be used extensively in models for acquisition of remanent magnetization. For elongate
grains of magnetite, microscopic coercive force is dominated by shape anisotropy. Maximum shape anisot-
ropy is displayed by needle-shaped grains for which ∆ND in Equation (3.9) is 2π. Using js = 480 G leads to
maximum coercive force for SD magnetite at room temperature of ~3000 Oe (300 mT).
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 36

Magnetocrystalline anisotropy
For equant SD particles (no shape anisotropy) or SD particles of ferromagnetic materials with low js,
magnetocrystalline anisotropy dominates the microscopic coercive force. Magnetocrystalline easy direc-
tions of magnetization are crystallographic directions along which magnetocrystalline energy is minimized.
An example of magnetization along different crystallographic directions in a single crystal of magnetite is
shown in Figure 3.4. Magnetization is more easily achieved along the [111] magnetocrystalline easy direc-
tion. The origin of magnetocrystalline anisotropy is the dependence of exchange energy on crystallo-
graphic direction of magnetization.

500
[111]
400
Figure 3.4 Magnetization of a single crystal of
[110]
Magnetization (G)

[100] magnetite as a function of the magnetizing

300 field. Magnetization curves are labeled
indicating the crystallographic direction of
the magnetizing field; [111] is the
200 magnetocrystalline easy direction; [100] is
the magnetocrystalline hard direction.
Redrawn after Nagata (Rock Magnetism,
100
Maruzen Ltd., Tokyo, 350 pp, 1961).

0
0 100 200 300 400 500
Magnetizing field (Oe)

It is simplest to understand magnetocrystalline anisotropy by considering a material with uniaxial

magnetocrystalline energy, ea. Such a material contains one axis of minimum magnetocrystalline energy,
and ea is given by
ea = K sin 2 θ (3.10)

where K is the magnetocrystalline constant and θ is the angle between js and the magnetocrystalline easy
direction. There is an energy barrier to rotation of js through the magnetocrystalline hard direction where θ
= 90° and ea = K. To force js through this energy barrier, eH > K is required. The resulting microscopic
coercive force for an individual SD particle is
hc = 2K / js (3.11)
Magnetocrystalline anisotropy is the dominant source of microscopic coercive force in hematite because K
is large and js is small. The resulting hc can exceed 104 Oe (1 T) for SD particles of hematite.

Hysteresis in single-domain grains

Consider a synthetic sample composed of 5% by volume dispersed magnetite particles in a diamagnetic
matrix. The magnetite grains are all elongate single-domain grains, and the directions of long axes of the
grains are randomly distributed. Typical values of hysteresis parameters for such a sample (at room tem-
perature) are shown in Figure 3.5a.
Magnetization of individual ferromagnetic particles, jn, adds vectorially to yield net magnetization for the
sample given by

∑ vn jn
J= n (3.12)
sample volume
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 37

J a
2
Js =24G

3
J r =12G
1
4 0

H
Hc =1500 Oe

Point 1 Point 2
b J = Js c
H H

H H

Point 3 Point 4
d e
J = Jr J=0
H=0 H

Figure 3.5 (a) Hysteresis loop for synthetic sample containing 5% by volume of dispersed elongate SD
magnetite particles. The saturation magnetization of the sample is Js; the remanent magnetiza-
tion of the sample is Jr ; the bulk coercive force is Hc ; the points labeled are referred to in text and
illustrated below. (b) Magnetization directions within SD grains at point 1 on hysteresis loop.
Stippled ovals are schematic representations of elongate SD magnetite grains; arrows indicate
direction of js for each SD grain; H is the magnetizing field; note that js of each grain is rotating
toward H. (c) Magnetization directions within SD grains at point 2 on hysteresis loop. Sample is
at saturation magnetization Js ; note that js of every grain is aligned with H. (d) Magnetization
directions within SD grains at point 3 on hysteresis loop. The magnetizing field has been re-
moved; sample magnetization is remanent magnetization Jr; note that js of each grain has rotated
back to the long axis closest to the saturating magnetic field, which was directed toward the right.
(e) Magnetization directions within SD grains at point 4 on hysteresis loop. The sample has
magnetization J = 0; note that js of every grain has been slightly rotated toward the magnetizing
field H (now directed toward the left).
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 38

where vn is the volume of an individual ferromagnetic particle and vn jn is the magnetic moment of an
individual SD grain. It is the magnitude of this net magnetization that is measured in the hysteresis experi-
ment. If the sample has not previously been exposed to a magnetizing field, J = 0 because the magnetiza-
tion (= js) of SD grains is randomly directed.
Application of the initial magnetizing field (in an arbitrarily defined positive direction) leads to net magne-
tization acquired parallel to the field along the path 0–1–2. As the field is applied, js of each SD grain begins
to rotate toward the applied magnetic field because of the interaction energy, eH. Directions of js are shown
schematically in Figure 3.5b for point 1 on the hysteresis loop.
If the applied field is increased to a sufficient level, all grains will have js aligned with the field (Figure 3.5c).
This is point 2 of Figure 3.5a, where the sample reaches its saturation magnetization, Js. The magnetizing
field required to drive the sample to saturation is that required to overcome the magnetostatic energy barrier
given by Equation (3.7). For elongate SD grains of magnetite, this saturating field is ~3000 Oe (300 mT).
For this sample containing 5% by volume of magnetite, the saturation magnetization can be computed
by using Equation (3.12):

∑j s vn js ∑v n
Js = n = n
sample volume sample volume

total magnetite volume

= js
sample volume

= js (volume fraction magnetite) = (480 G) (0.05)

= 24 G (2.4 × 104 A/m)
So saturation magnetization of the sample depends linearly on concentration of the ferromagnetic mineral.
Removal of the magnetizing field causes J to decrease along the path 2–3. During removal of the magne-
tizing field, js of individual SD grains rotates to the nearest long axis of the grain because that direction mini-
mizes magnetostatic energy. After removal of the magnetizing field, a remanent magnetization, Jr , remains.
Directions of js for the SD grains at point 3 are shown schematically in Figure 3.5d. Integrating the components
of js over a random directional distribution of long axes yields Jr = Js / 2. The ratio Jr / Js is often taken as a
measure of efficiency in acquiring remanent magnetization and is 0.5 for this assemblage of elongate SD grains
with dominant shape anisotropy. Likewise an assemblage of SD grains with dominant uniaxial magnetocrystalline
anisotropy and randomly directed magnetocrystalline easy axes would have Jr / Js = 0.5.
To force J back to zero, an opposing magnetic field must be applied. J decreases along the path 3–4,
and the magnetic field required to drive J to zero is the bulk coercive force, Hc. Directions of js for SD grains
at point 4 are shown in Figure 3.5e. Integration of the effects of interaction energy and magnetostatic
energy over an assemblage of randomly oriented elongate grains yields Hc = hc / 2, where hc is microscopic
coercive force for an individual SD grain (Equation (3.9)). For the sample with elongate SD magnetite
grains, Hc ≈ 1500 Oe (150 mT). Similarly, for an assemblage of SD grains with dominant magnetocrystalline
energy, Hc = hc / 2, with hc given by Equation (3.11). For an assemblage of hematite grains, Hc can reach
5000 Oe (500 mT).
Notice that Hc does not depend on the concentration of ferromagnetic material. This is because hc
depends on energy balances within individual SD grains and Hc depends only on hc ; concentration of the
grains is not involved. The hysteresis loop in Figure 3.5a is completed by driving the sample to saturation in
the negative direction, then cycling back to saturation in the positive direction (Figure 3.5a). This example
shows how assemblages of SD ferromagnetic grains are efficient in acquiring remanent magnetization and
resistant to demagnetization; both properties are obviously desirable for paleomagnetism.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 39

Rock samples containing titanomagnetite as the dominant ferromagnetic mineral rarely have Hc or Jr / Js
approaching the high values that we determined for this synthetic sample. Remember that rocks generally
have a large percentage of MD grains and/or pseudo-single-domain grains (defined below); and these
larger grains have lower hc and lower Jr / Js .

Hysteresis of multidomain grains

Application of a magnetic field to a MD grain produces preferential growth of domains with magnetization
parallel to the field. If the applied field is sufficiently strong, domain walls are destroyed, and magnetization
reaches saturation ( j = js ). On removal of the magnetizing field, domains re-form and move back towards
their initial positions. However, because of lattice imperfections and internal strains, domain wall energy is
a function of position (Figure 3.6). Rather than returning to initial positions, domain walls settle in energy
minima near their initial positions, and a small remanent magnetization results. But only a small magnetic
field is required to drive the domain walls back to the zero moment positions, so coercive force of MD
ferromagnetic particles is modest. In addition, magnetization of MD particles tends to decay with time
(domain walls can easily pass over energy barriers), and these particles are much less effective as record-
ers of paleomagnetism than are SD grains.

Domain wall Position of wall for

zero magnetic moment Figure 3.6 Domain wall energy versus
position. The solid curve
schematically represents
domain wall energy; arrows
show the direction of js within
Domain wall energy

the domains; the domain wall

is shown by the stippled
region; the position of the
domain wall that yields net J =
0 is shown by the dashed line.
Redrawn after Stacey and
Banerjee (1974).

Position

Pseudo-single-domain grains
No sharp boundary exists between large SD grains and small multidomain grains. Instead, there is an
interval of grain sizes exhibiting intermediate Jr / Js and intermediate hc . These grains are referred to as
pseudo-single-domain (PSD) grains and are important in understanding magnetizations of rocks containing
magnetite or titanomagnetite. The PSD grain-size interval for magnetite is approximately 1–10 µ m. Grains
in this size range contain a small number of domains and can have substantial magnetic moment. They can
also exhibit significant coercivity and time stability of remanent magnetism. Grain-size distributions of many
igneous and sedimentary rocks peak within the magnetite PSD field but have only a small percentage of
particles within the true SD field. Accordingly, PSD grains can be important carriers of paleomagnetism. We
will consider PSD grains at several points in our discussion of natural remanent magnetization.

Magnetic relaxation and superparamagnetism

In the above discussion, effects of magnetic fields on rotation of js in SD particles were considered. Thermal
activation also can lead to rotation of js over energy barriers. Magnetic relaxation, in which remanent
magnetization of an assemblage of SD grains decays with time, is the most straightforward effect of thermal
activation. This relaxation is schematically illustrated in Figure 3.7a.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 40

a b
Jro
Jr = Remanent magnetization
St
ab
J r (t) = Jro exp(-t/ ) le

Grain volume, v
Si
ng
le
Do
m
ai = 1 b.y.
n
Jro /e Su
pe = 1 m.y.
rp
ar
am
ag
ne = s
tic

2 Coercive force, h c
time

Figure 3.7 (a) Magnetic relaxation in an assemblage of SD ferromagnetic grains. Initial magnetization
Jr 0 decays to Jr 0/e in time τ. (b) Relaxation times of SD grains on diagram plotting SD grain
volume, v, against SD grain microscopic coercive force, hc. Lines of equal τ are lines of equal
product vhc; grains with short τ plot toward the lower left; grains with long τ plot toward the upper
right; superparamagnetic grains with τ < τs plot to the lower left of τ = τs line; stable SD grains
with τ > τs plot to upper right of τ = τs line; the schematic contoured plot of population of SD
grains is shown by the stippled regions.

Exponential decay of remanent magnetization, Jr (t ), after removal of the magnetizing field is

Jr (t ) = Jr 0 exp( −t / τ ) (3.13)

where Jr = initial remanent magnetization

t = time (s)
τ = characteristic relaxation time (s), after which Jr = Jr 0 / e.
Magnetic relaxation was studied by Louis Néel, who showed that the characteristic relaxation time is given by

exp c s 
1 vh j
τ= (3.14)
C  2kT 
where C = frequency factor ≈ 108 s–1
v = volume of SD grain
hc = microscopic coercive force of SD grain
js = saturation magnetization of the ferromagnetic material
kT = thermal energy
In Equation (3.14), the product vjs hc is an energy barrier to rotation of js and is called the blocking
energy. But thermal energy (kT) can cause oscillations of js . So the relaxation time is controlled by the ratio
of blocking energy to thermal energy.
Relaxation times vary over many orders of magnitude. SD grains with short relaxation times are
referred to as superparamagnetic. A superparamagnetic grain is ferromagnetic with attendant strong
magnetization. But remanent magnetization in an assemblage of these grains is unstable; it will decay
to zero very soon after removal of the magnetizing field (much like paramagnetic materials that “decay”
instantaneously).
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 41

From Equation (3.14) it is clear that relaxation time for SD grains of a given material at a constant
temperature depends on grain volume, v, and microscopic coercive force, hc. It is convenient to plot distri-
butions of grains on a volume-versus-coercive force diagram as shown in Figure 3.7b. Grains with low
product (vhc) plot in the lower left portion of the diagram and have low relaxation time. Grains with high
product (vhc) plot in the upper right and have long relaxation time. Lines of equal τ in v–hc space are
hyperbolas of equal product (vhc). These diagrams prove useful in understanding the formation of several
types of natural remanent magnetism and in understanding thermal demagnetization.
By definition, superparamagnetic grains are those grains whose remanence relaxes quickly. A conve-
nient critical relaxation time, τs, for purposes of laboratory experiments may be taken as 100 s. It is possible
to determine the size and shape of SD grains with τ < τs. This grain size is known as the superparamagnetic
threshold (ds). At 20°C (= 293°K), ds for hematite and for equant grains of magnetite is about 0.05 µm. For
elongate SD magnetite grains (with hc controlled by shape anisotropy), size and shape of grains with τ
=100 s is shown in Figure 3.2. For instance, a magnetite grain with a width:length ratio of 0.2 and length of
0.04 µm has τ =100 s and is (by definition of τs = 100 s) at the superparamagnetic threshold.
Effective paleomagnetic recorders must have relaxation times on the order of geological time. So it
might be more appropriate to choose τs = 4.5 × 109 yr as the relevant relaxation time. The size and shape
dependence of elongated magnetite particles with this relaxation time is also shown in Figure 3.2. Assem-
blages of SD grains with ds < d < d0 are considered to be within the stable SD grain-size range. These
grains have desirable SD properties (high Jr / Js and high hc ) and also have the required long relaxation
time. The stable SD grain-size field for magnetite (Figure 3.2) is extremely narrow for equant particles but
significant for elongated grains.
For hematite, the stable SD grain-size range is large, extending from ds = 0.05 µm to d0 = 15 µm. So a
large percentage of hematite grains will be stable SD grains. In most rocks, a significant percentage of
ferromagnetic grains will fall within the stable SD grain-size field. These grains are highly effective carriers
of paleomagnetism. We will introduce many concepts of paleomagnetism by utilizing the properties of
stable SD grains.

Blocking temperatures
Relaxation time has strong temperature dependence. Several parameters (besides temperature itself) ap-
pear in the argument of the exponential function in Equation (3.14). Temperature dependence of js (which
goes to zero at Tc , the Curie temperature) is shown for both magnetite and hematite in Figure 2.3. Coercive
force also depends upon temperature. For coercive force controlled by shape anisotropy, hc is proportional
to js, whereas coercive force controlled by magnetocrystalline anisotropy is proportional to jsn, with n > 3.
Relaxation times for an elongate SD magnetite grain with length 0.1 µm and width 0.02 µm are plotted
in Figure 3.8 in semi-log format. Relaxation time is less than 1 microsecond at 575°C but exceeds the age
of the earth at 510°C! If we choose 100 s as the critical relaxation time, τs, this grain changes behavior from
superparamagnetic to stable SD at 550°C. The temperature at which this transition occurs is the blocking
temperature (TB ). Between Tc and TB, the grain is ferromagnetic, but remanent magnetization in an assem-
blage of these grains will decay quickly. Below the blocking temperature, τ exceeds τs and is increasing
rapidly during continued cooling. Remanent magnetism formed at or below TB can be stable, especially if
temperature is decreasing.
Designation of blocking temperature depends on the choice of critical relaxation time. If we choose 103
yr as a more geologically relevant critical relaxation time, the corresponding blocking temperature would be
530°C rather than 550°C using τs = 100 s. The important consideration now is that relaxation time has
extraordinary dependence on temperature; SD grains that have τ > 109 yr at 20°C can be superparamagnetic
at elevated temperature.
Rocks have distributions of ferromagnetic grain sizes and shapes yielding distributions of TB between Tc
and surface temperatures. The strong dependence of relaxation time on temperature and the transition in
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 42

Superparamagnetic
20
109 yr
106 yr
3 Figure 3.8 Semi-log plot of relaxation time, τ,
10 10 yr of a SD magnetite grain as function of
temperature. Key relaxation times are

Stable Single Domain

log 10 (s)

labeled; blocking temperature (TB) is

100 s shown by stippled arrow; SD grain is
superparamagnetic (τ < τs =100 s) at
0 T > TB = 550°C and “stable” (τ > τs =

TB = 550°C
100 s) for T < TB .

-10
500 520 540 560 580
Temperature (°C)

behavior from superparamagnetic above TB to stable SD below TB are critical to understanding acquisition
of thermoremanent magnetism.

NATURAL REMANENT MAGNETISM (NRM)

In situ magnetization of rocks is the vector sum of two components:

J = Ji + Jr (3.15)

where Ji is the induced magnetization and Jr is the natural remanent magnetism. Bulk susceptibility, χ, is
the net susceptibility resulting from contributions of all minerals but usually dominated by the ferromagnetic
minerals. Presence of the local geomagnetic field, H, produces the induced magnetization:

Ji = χ H (3.16)

This induced magnetization usually parallels the local geomagnetic field and can be the dominant compo-
nent for many rock types. However, acquisition of induced magnetization is a reversible process without
memory of past magnetic fields. It is the remanent magnetization that is of concern in paleomagnetism.
Natural remanent magnetization (NRM) is remanent magnetization present in a rock sample prior to
laboratory treatment. NRM depends on the geomagnetic field and geological processes during rock forma-
tion and during the history of the rock. NRM typically is composed of more than one component. The NRM
component acquired during rock formation is referred to as primary NRM and is the component sought in
most paleomagnetic investigations. However, secondary NRM components can be acquired subsequent to
rock formation and can alter or obscure primary NRM. The secondary components of NRM add vectorially
to the primary component to produce the total NRM:

NRM = primary NRM + secondary NRM (3.17)

The three basic forms of primary NRM are (1) thermoremanent magnetization, acquired during cooling
from high temperature; (2) chemical remanent magnetization, formed by growth of ferromagnetic grains
below the Curie temperature; and (3) detrital remanent magnetization, acquired during accumulation of
sedimentary rocks containing detrital ferromagnetic minerals. In the sections below, these forms of NRM
are examined. The objective is to explain how primary NRM can record the geomagnetic field present
during rock formation and, under favorable conditions, retain that recording over geologic time.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 43

Secondary NRM can result from chemical changes affecting ferromagnetic minerals, exposure to nearby
lightning strikes, or long-term exposure to the geomagnetic field subsequent to rock formation. Processes
of acquisition of secondary NRM must be examined to understand (1) coexistence of primary and second-
ary NRM in the same rock, (2) how multiple components of NRM can be recognized, and (3) how partial
demagnetization procedures can preferentially erase secondary NRM, allowing isolation of primary NRM.
Understanding the physics and chemistry of NRM acquisition is a prerequisite to understanding the fidelity
and accuracy of primary NRM and the paleomagnetic techniques for its determination.

THERMOREMANENT MAGNETISM (TRM)

Thermoremanent magnetism (TRM) is NRM produced by cooling from above the Curie temperature
(Tc ) in the presence of a magnetic field. TRM is the form of remanent magnetism acquired by most
igneous rocks. From the previous section, it is understood that magnetic moments of ferromagnetic
grains will be stable to time decay at or below the respective blocking temperatures, TB , which are
distributed downward from the Curie temperature. As temperature decreases through TB of an indi-
vidual SD grain, that grain experiences a dramatic increase in relaxation time, τ, and changes behavior
from superparamagnetic to stable single domain. It is the action of the magnetic field at the blocking
temperature that produces TRM.
A significant aspect of TRM is that a small magnetic field (e.g., the surface geomagnetic field) can, at
elevated temperatures, impart a small bias in the distribution of magnetic moments of the ferromagnetic
grains during cooling and produce a remanent magnetization. At surface temperatures, this remanence
can be stable over geologic time and resistant to effects of magnetic fields after original cooling.

A theoretical model
Here we examine a theoretical model for acquisition of TRM. The model is essentially that of French physicist
Louis Néel and explains acquisition of TRM by an assemblage of single-domain ferromagnetic grains.
In this model, depicted schematically in Figure 3.9, we consider an assemblage of identical SD grains.
The assemblage is assumed to have uniaxial anisotropy, meaning that magnetic moments of the grains
can point only along some arbitrary axis, but in either direction; above TB , they will flip rapidly between
these two antiparallel directions. One could actually make such an assemblage of SD grains by distribut-
ing highly elongated SD magnetite grains in a diamagnetic matrix with long axes of the magnetite grains
perfectly aligned.
Now consider a magnetic field applied along the axes of the grains. There is an interaction energy
between the applied magnetic field, H, and the magnetic moment, m, of each SD grain (Equation (1.4)):
E = −m ⋅ H (3.18)

E = –m.H
Figure 3.9 Model for TRM acquisition. SD
ferromagnetic grains have uniaxial
anisotropy, so magnetic moments m of
E = v js H SD grains are parallel or antiparallel to
m applied magnetic field H; energies of
interaction EH between magnetic mo-
ments of SD grains and the applied
H magnetic field are shown for the parallel
and antiparallel states; v is the SD grain
m volume; js is the saturation magnetization
E = –v js H of ferromagnetic material.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 44

Figure 3.9 shows the two possible orientations of magnetic moments of the SD grains and the attendant
interaction energy. For grains with m parallel to H,

E = − mH = − v js H (3.19)
where v is the volume of the SD grain and js is the saturation magnetization. For grains with m antiparallel to H,

E = mH = v js H (3.20)
The energy difference between these two states results in a preference for occupying the state with m
parallel to H. However, this aligning influence is countered by the randomizing influence of thermal energy,
which, in the absence of a magnetizing field, will equalize the population of the two states, thereby yielding
no net magnetization.
Above the blocking temperature, magnetic moments of these SD grains will flip rapidly between the
parallel and antiparallel states. But because of aligning energy of the applied magnetic field, magnetic
moments of individual grains will spend slightly more time in the parallel than the antiparallel state. Collec-
tively, the assemblage will have more grains in the parallel state than in the antiparallel state. A bias of
magnetic moments parallel to the applied magnetic field results.
The degree of alignment at the blocking temperature is of major importance. If the magnetic field were
switched off at T > TB , the population of the two stable states would quickly equalize, yielding no net magne-
tization. At or above TB , the degree of alignment depend upon the ratio of aligning energy to thermal energy.
At TB , this ratio is given by
 v js [T B ] H 
  =b (3.21)
 kT B 

From statistical thermodynamics, the relative Boltzmann probability, P+, of a grain occupying the energy
state with m parallel to H is given by
 exp [b] 
P+ =   (3.22)
 exp [b] + exp [ −b]

The relative probability, P– , of the grain occupying the antiparallel state is given by

 exp [ −b] 
P− =   (3.23)
 exp [b] + exp [ −b]
The bias of magnetic moments (degree of alignment) along H is then

 exp [b] − exp [ −b]

P+ − P− =   = tanh (b) (3.24)
 exp [b] + exp [ −b]
This bias of magnetic moments will be frozen (blocked) as the assemblage cools through TB .
At the blocking temperature, the thermoremanent magnetization will be given by

TRM(T B ) = [ N(T B ) m(T B )][ P+ − P−] (3.25)

where N(TB) is the number of SD grains per unit volume with blocking temperature TB and m(TB ) is the magnetic
moment of an individual SD grain. Inserting m (TB ) = v js (TB ) and Equation (3.24) for P+ – P– yields a complete
expression for TRM at the blocking temperature:

 v j [T ] H 
TRM(T B ) = N(T B ) v js (T B ) tanh  s B  (3.26)
 k TB 
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 45

To emphasize that the degree of alignment is small, consider the expected degree of alignment of magnetic
moments for an assemblage of SD magnetite grains with blocking temperature of 550°C (= 823°K). The hyper-
bolic tangent term in Equation (3.26) indicates the degree of alignment and the terms required are v = SD grain
volume; TB = blocking temperature (= 823°K); H = magnetizing field (we’ll use 1 Oe); and js(TB) = saturation
magnetization at TB. To illustrate changes in relaxation time with temperature (Figure 3.8), we previously
considered SD magnetite particles with TB = 550°C. The volume of these particles is 4.3 × 10–17 cm3 and js at
550°C = 140 G. The argument of the hyperbolic tangent in Equation (3.26) becomes

 v js [T B ] H 
  = 5.3 × 10–2 (3.27)
 k T B 
For such small arguments, tanh x ≈ x, so the degree of alignment = 0.053. This is indeed a small bias; only
a tiny fraction more magnetic moments are aligned with the magnetic field than against it.
With the assumption of a sharp blocking temperature, no further changes in orientations of magnetic
moments occur during cooling to ambient surface temperature (ca. 20°C). The only quantity which changes
during cooling from TB to 20°C is saturation magnetization of the ferromagnetic material. Thus the final
TRM at 20°C is given by

 v j [T ] H 
TRM(20°C) = N(T B ) v js (20°C) tanh  s B  (3.28)
 k TB 
Notice that the hyperbolic tangent term of this equation for TRM does not change upon cooling from TB to 20°C
because that term is the bias (P+ – P–) at TB, which will not change during subsequent cooling. As shown in a
previous section, relaxation time, τ, does continue to increase dramatically during cooling below TB. The result-
ing TRM can have a relaxation time exceeding geologic time and can thus be stable against time decay.
This simple model illustrates essential features of TRM. It shows how a modest magnetizing field can
impart a TRM during cooling through the blocking temperature and how that TRM can be retained over
geological time.

Generalizing the model

There are several inadequacies in the above model. The most severe assumption is that the assemblage of
SD grains has uniaxial anisotropy. This assumption provides useful simplifications in the mathematical
development, but of course it is not realistic. What we expect to encounter in a rock is an assemblage of
ferromagnetic grains with essentially random (isotropic) distribution of easy axes of magnetization.
A random distribution of easy axes can be dealt with by setting aligning energy for a particular grain equal to

E = m ⋅ H = mH cos θ (3.29)
where θ is the angle between the easy axis of magnetization and H. Integration over an isotropic distribution
of grains yields a TRM expression that is slightly more complicated than Equation (3.28). However, the
essence of the physics is the same.
For an assemblage of SD grains with random distribution of easy axes, the resulting medium is isotropic
for acquisition of TRM. This means that TRM will be parallel to the magnetizing field present during cooling.
Although not unknown, igneous rocks with significant anisotropy are rare, and we expect that TRM of most
igneous rocks will faithfully record the direction of the magnetic field during cooling.
The model just presented also assumes that all SD grains are identical, with only a single blocking
temperature. Real rocks have a distribution of sizes and shapes of ferromagnetic grains and consequently
have a distribution of TB. With distributed blocking temperatures, TRM acquisition can be visualized by
using the v–hc diagrams of Figure 3.10. Just below the Curie temperature, microscopic coercive force, hc,
is low, and all grains are superparamagnetic (Figure 3.10a). During cooling, hc of all grains increases, and
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 46

a b
High Temperature Low Temperature

Grain volume, v

Grain volume, v
TRM

= 10
b.y. = 10 b.y.

= =
s s

Coercive force, h c Coercive force, h c

Figure 3.10 Migration of SD grain population towards increasing hc between (a) high temperature and
(b) low temperature. Lines of τ = 100 s and τ = 10 b.y. are schematically shown; SD grains in the
dark stippled region of (b) experience blocking of their magnetic moment during cooling and
acquire TRM.

the distribution of grains migrates toward increasing hc (Figure 3.10b). At the respective blocking tempera-
tures, grains pass through the τ = τs line, change from superparamagnetic to stable SD, and acquire TRM.
The exact distribution of TB depends on the distribution of grain sizes and shapes in the rock and is
routinely determined in the course of thermal demagnetization. This process erases remanent magnetiza-
tion in all grains with blocking temperatures up to the maximum temperature of the laboratory heating. By
this technique it is possible to determine the portion of TRM that is blocked within successive TB intervals. A
typical example is shown in Figure 3.11.
Igneous rocks with stable TRM commonly have TB within about 100°C of the Curie temperature. Rocks
with a large portion of remanent magnetization carried by grains with TB distributed far below Tc are more
likely to have complex, multiple-component magnetizations. These difficulties are explored later.

1.0
Figure 3.11 Distribution of blocking tempera-
tures in an Eocene basalt sample.
0.8
TRM
The solid line labeled TRM indicates
the amount of TRM remaining after
Fraction of TRM

step heating to increasingly higher

0.6 temperature (~75% of the original
TRM has blocking temperatures
between 500°C and 580°C); the
0.4 stippled histogram labeled PTRM
shows the amount of TRM within
PTRM corresponding intervals of blocking
0.2
temperature (e.g., ~40% of the
original TRM has a blocking tempera-
tures between 450°C and 510°C).
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Temperature (°C)
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 47

PTRM
The total TRM can be broken into portions acquired in distinct temperature intervals. For example, TRM of
an igneous rock containing magnetite as the dominant ferromagnetic mineral can be broken into portions
acquired within windows of blocking temperatures from Tc = 580°C down to 20°C. The portion of TRM
blocked in any particular TB window is referred to as “partial TRM,” often abbreviated PTRM. Each PTRM is a
vector quantity, and TRM is the vector sum of the PTRMs contributed by all blocking temperature windows:

TRM = ∑ PTRM(T Bn ) (3.30)

n
Individual PTRMs depend only on the magnetic field during cooling through their respective TB intervals and
are not affected by magnetic fields applied during cooling through lower temperature intervals. This is the
law of additivity of PTRM.
As an example of additivity of PTRM, again consider an igneous rock with magnetite as the dominant
ferromagnetic mineral. The rock originally cooled to produce a TRM that is the vector sum of all PTRMs with
TB distributed from Tc to room temperature. If the magnetic field was constant during the original cooling, all
PTRMs are in the same direction. Now consider that this rock is subsequently reheated for even a short
time to a temperature, Tr , intermediate between room temperature and the Curie temperature and then
cooled in a different magnetizing field. All PTRMs with TB < Tr will record the new magnetic field direction.
However, neglecting time-temperature effects to be considered later, the PTRMs with TB > Tr will retain the
TRM record of the original magnetizing field. This ability to strip away components of magnetization held by
grains with low TB while leaving the higher TB grains unaffected is a fundamental element of the thermal
demagnetization technique.

Grain-size effects
Perhaps the most severe simplification in the above model of TRM acquisition is that it considers only
single-domain grains. Given the restricted range of grain size and shape distributions for stable SD grains
of magnetite or titanomagnetite, only a small percentage of grains in a typical igneous rock are truly SD.
Most grains are PSD or MD. The question then arises as to whether PSD and MD grains can acquire TRM.
Figure 3.12 shows the particle size dependence of TRM acquired by magnetite in a magnetizing field of
1 Oe (0.1 mT). Note that Figure 3.12 is a log-log plot and efficiency of TRM acquisition drops off dramati-
cally in the PSD grain-size range from 1 µm to about 10 µm. However, PSD grains do acquire TRM that can
be stable against time decay and against demagnetization by later magnetic fields. The physics of PSD
grains is much more complicated than for SD grains and is not fully understood. However, the basic idea of
acquiring TRM by imparting a bias in directions of magnetic moments of PSD grains at the blocking tem-
perature also applies to these inhomogeneously magnetized grains.
For grains of d > 10 µm, the acquisition of TRM is inefficient. In addition, acquired TRM in these larger
grains generally decays rapidly with time, and these grains are prone to acquire viscous magnetization
(discussed below). SD and PSD grains are the effective carriers of TRM, while larger MD grains are likely
to carry a component of magnetization acquired long after original cooling.
It has been observed that grain-size distributions of ferromagnetic grains in igneous rocks tend to be log
normally distributed. A histogram of number of grains versus logarithm of the grain dimension is reasonably
fit by a Gaussian (bell-shaped) curve. Rapidly cooled volcanic rocks generally have grain-size distributions
peaking at d < 10 µm, with a major portion of the distribution within SD and PSD ranges. Also deuteric
oxidation of volcanic rocks often produces intergrowth grains with effective magnetic grain size less than the
FeTi-oxide grains that crystallized from the igneous melt. Thus, volcanic rocks are commonly observed to
possess fairly strong and stable TRM. A typical intensity of TRM in a basalt flow is 10–3 G (1 A/m). Gener-
ally, a smaller percentage of the grain-size distribution in volcanic rocks than in intrusive igneous rocks is
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 48

10

Thermoremanent magnetization (G) 1.0

0.1

0.01

0.1 m 1.0 m 10 m 100 m 1 mm 10 mm

Particle diameter

Figure 3.12 Dependence of intensity of TRM on particle diameter of magnetite. Magnetite particles were
dispersed in a matrix; the intensity of TRM is determined per unit volume of magnetite to allow
comparison between experiments that used varying concentrations of dispersed magnetite; the
magnetizing field was 1 Oe. Redrawn after Dunlop (Phys. Earth Planet. Int., v. 26, 1–26, 1981).

within the MD range. This means that secondary components of magnetization carried by MD grains are
minimized in volcanic rocks.
However, for intrusive igneous rocks the opposite situation prevails. Grain-size distribution peaks at
larger sizes, and a majority of the grains are within the MD range with only a small percentage within SD and
PSD ranges. Accordingly, the intensity of the stable TRM component (if present at all) is diminished in
comparison to volcanic rocks. More important, secondary components of magnetization carried by MD
grains can dominate the magnetization. Removing this noise component to reveal the underlying stable
TRM component can be a major challenge.
Mafic intrusive rocks are more likely to retain a primary TRM than are felsic intrusives. Mafic intrusives
have higher Fe and Ti contents with the result that intermediate composition titanomagnetite grains often
undergo exsolution during cooling. These exsolved grains are much more capable of carrying stable TRM
than are homogeneous grains. In addition, many intrusive rocks containing a stable TRM component are
found to contain SD magnetite grains exsolved in host plagioclase or other silicate grains (Figure 2.11a).
From this discussion, it is clear that volcanic rocks are much preferred over intrusive rocks in paleomagnetic
studies.

CHEMICAL REMANENT MAGNETISM (CRM)

Chemical changes that form ferromagnetic minerals below their blocking temperatures in a magnetizing
field result in acquisition of chemical remanent magnetism (CRM). Chemical reactions involving ferromag-
netic minerals include (a) alteration of a preexisting mineral (possibly also ferromagnetic) to a ferromagnetic
mineral or (b) precipitation of a ferromagnetic mineral from solution. Although exceptions exist, CRM is most
often encountered in sedimentary rocks. This section outlines a model of CRM acquisition that explains the
basic attributes of this type of NRM.

Model of CRM formation

As in the development of a model for thermoremanent magnetism (TRM), we start with Equation (3.14)
describing relaxation time, τ, of an assemblage of identical single-domain (SD) grains:
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 49

τ =   exp  c s 
1 vh j
(3.14)
 C  2kT 
During TRM formation, volume (v ) of the SD grains is constant, but τ increases during cooling because
hc and js increase as T decreases. During formation of chemical remanent magnetism, temperature is
constant (usually ambient surface temperature). Accordingly, js and hc are approximately constant. During
chemical formation of a ferromagnetic mineral, individual grains grow from zero initial volume. Grains with
small volumes have short relaxation times and are superparamagnetic. This is depicted in Figure 3.13a,
with distribution of SD grains in v– hc space compressed toward the abscissa. As growth of the ferro-
magnetic grains proceeds, volume of individual grains increases, and the distribution in v– hc space
migrates upward (Figure 3.13b). During grain growth, individual grains experience dramatic increase
in relaxation time and change from superparamagnetic to stable single domain. The grain volume at
which this transition occurs is referred to as the blocking volume. As assemblages of grains pass
through the blocking volume, a bias of magnetic moments toward the applied magnetic field is re-
corded, just as with TRM. Continued grain growth following blocking of CRM can produce a chemical
remanent magnetization that is stable over geological time.

a b
Grain volume, v

Grain volume, v

CRM

= 10 = 10
b.y. b.y.

= 10 = 10
0s 0s

Coercive force, hc Coercive force, hc

Figure 3.13 Migration of SD grain population toward increasing grain volume, v, between (a) beginning of
chemical precipitation and (b) an advanced stage of grain precipitation. Lines of τ = 100 s and
τ = 10 b.y. are schematically shown; SD grains in the dark stippled region of (b) have grown
through blocking volumes and have acquired CRM.

Laboratory experiments on synthetic CRM have verified the essential elements of this model. Experi-
ments involving precipitation of ferromagnetic minerals from solution show that CRM accurately records the
direction of the magnetic field. Experiments involving alteration of one ferromagnetic mineral to another
also have been performed. When the alteration involves a major change of crystal structure (e.g., magnetite
to hematite), acquired CRM records the magnetic field direction during alteration and does not seem to be
affected by the magnetization of the preexisting ferromagnetic mineral. However, when alteration occurs
with no fundamental change of crystal structure (e.g., titanomagnetite to titanomaghemite), the resulting
remanence can be controlled by the remanence direction of the original grains.
An example of natural CRM is postdepositional formation of hematite, primarily in red sediments. A
typical intensity of CRM in a red siltstone is 10–5 G (10–2 A/m). A variety of postdepositional oxidation and
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 50

dehydration reactions play a role in formation of hematite. For example, goethite (α FeOOH) is an oxyhydroxide
produced by alteration of Fe-bearing silicates. Goethite can dehydrate to hematite by the following reaction:
2 (α FeOOH) → α Fe2O3 + H 2O (evaporates) (3.31)
CRM is acquired during growth of the resulting hematite grains.
When hematite is produced soon after deposition, the CRM will record the magnetic field direction
essentially contemporaneous with deposition and is regarded as a primary magnetization. However, the
mode and timing of acquisition of remanent magnetism in red sediments are a matter of controversy. Be-
cause red sediments have been a major source of paleomagnetic data, appreciation of the processes in-
volved in magnetization of red sediments (and attendant uncertainties) is important. Accordingly, we will
discuss this red bed controversy in Chapter 8.
CRM may be regarded as a secondary component if it is acquired long after deposition. For example,
diagenetic/authigenetic formation of Fe-sulfides and MnFe-oxides in marine sediments can lead to forma-
tion of CRM. This CRM may be acquired millions of years after deposition and would be regarded as a
secondary magnetization. These topics are also discussed in Chapter 8.

DETRITAL REMANENT MAGNETISM (DRM)

Detrital remanent magnetism (DRM) is acquired during deposition and lithification of sedimentary rocks. In
most sedimentary environments, the dominant detrital ferromagnetic mineral is magnetite (or Ti-poor
titanomagnetite). DRM is complicated because many complex processes can be involved in the formation
of sedimentary rocks. There is a wide variety of initial mineralogies, and constituent minerals often are not
in chemical equilibrium with each other or with the environment of deposition. Postdepositional physical
processes such as bioturbation can affect magnetization. Compaction is a particularly important postdepositional
process and will be a topic of special consideration in Chapter 8. Chemical processes can also alter or remove
original detrital ferromagnetic minerals and/or precipitate new ferromagnetic minerals, with attendant effects on
the paleomagnetic record. Because of these complexities, DRM is less well understood than is TRM, and there
are more uncertainties about the accuracy of paleomagnetic recordings in sedimentary rocks.
In this section, basic physical and chemical processes affecting paleomagnetism of sedimentary rocks
are outlined. We start with physical alignment occurring at the time of deposition and refer to the resulting
remanence as depositional detrital remanent magnetism. We then discuss physical alignment processes,
termed postdepositional detrital remanent magnetism (pDRM), that occur after deposition but before con-
solidation. pDRM processes can operate in the upper 10–20 cm of the accumulating sediment, where water
contents are high. The combination of depositional and postdepositional magnetization processes is re-
ferred to as detrital remanent magnetism (DRM).

Depositional DRM (the classic model)

The classic model for acquisition of DRM considers only the aligning influence of a magnetic field on a ferromag-
netic particle at the moment it encounters the sediment/water interface. We consider a spherical ferromagnetic
grain with magnetic moment, m, immersed in fluid of viscosity, η, and acted upon by magnetic field, H. The
angle between m and H is θ (Figure 3.14). The equation of motion which describes the alignment is

 d 2θ  dθ
Ω  2  + β   + mH sin θ = 0
 dt   dt  (3.32)

The first term describes inertial resistance to angular acceleration. Ω is moment of inertia of the particle given by

 π d 5ρ 
Ω =  (3.33)
 60 
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 51

H
m Figure 3.14 Detrital ferromagnetic grain in magnetic field. m is the
magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic grain; H is magnetic field;
θ is angle of m from H; resulting aligning torque is Γ = m × H.

where ρ is the density of the particle and d is the grain diameter. The second term in Equation (3.32)
describes viscous drag between the particle and surrounding fluid. This drag resists rotation of the particle
and depends upon rotation rate with β given by

β = π d 3η (3.34)
The last term in Equation (3.32) is the aligning torque of the magnetic field.
For values appropriate to ferromagnetic particles in sedimentary rocks, the inertial term (first term in
Equation (3.32)) is negligible. This means that the grain rotates quickly and approaches small values of θ for
which sin θ ≈ θ. The resulting simplifications to Equation (3.32) yield the following governing equation:

dθ  mH θ 
= −  (3.35)
dt  π d 3η 
The solution to this equation will describe how the angle θ will decrease from an initial angle θ 0 . The
solution describing this alignment process is

 −t 
θ (t ) = θ 0 exp   (3.36)
 t0 

 π d 3η 
where t0 =   (3.37)
 mH 
So this is an exponential alignment process in which t0 is a characteristic alignment time during which θ
decreases from θ 0 to θ 0 / e.
Now we proceed by realizing that the magnetic moment of the spherical particle is simply

π d3 j
m= (3.38)
6
where j is the net magnetic moment per unit volume. Substituting this expression for m back into Equation
(3.37) yields t 0 , the characteristic alignment time:
6η
t0 = (3.39)
jH
This result shows that t 0 is independent of particle size, d.
To gain a feeling for the magnitude of t 0 , substitute the following values into Equation (3.39):

η = 10–2 poise, appropriate value for water

H = 0.5 Oe, typical surface geomagnetic field
j = 0.1 G
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 52

The latter value is appropriate for a large PSD grain of magnetite but is much lower than expected for a small
PSD grain or an SD grain. However, even using this modest value for j, we find that Equation (3.39) yields
t 0 = 1 s. The model implies rapid (and complete) alignment of ferromagnetic particles with the geomagnetic
field at the time of deposition. Unfortunately, this theory fails a number of reality checks.

Evidence for postdepositional alignment

Laboratory redeposition experiments provide insight into DRM processes. In a number of experiments,
natural sediments have been dispersed in water, then redeposited under known laboratory conditions. Results
of such experiments are significantly different than predicted by the classic model.
One of the earliest laboratory redeposition experiments involved Holocene glacial varved deposits. The
degree of alignment of magnetic moments (determined from resulting DRM) was found to be far less than
implied by the classic model. Apparently, some (randomizing?) agent prevents the predicted high degree of
alignment.
Redeposition experiments have been performed with inclination of the magnetizing field varied from one
experiment to the next. Results are shown in Figure 3.15a. Inclination of the resulting DRM, I0, was found to be
systematically shallower than inclination of the applied magnetic field, IH, to which it was related by

tan I0 = f tan IH (3.40)

The value of f in Equation (3.40) is 0.4 for redeposited glacial sediments.
One can visualize a simple explanation for this observation by examining the schematic diagram of
Figure 3.15b. Because of shape anisotropy, the magnetic moment of elongated ferromagnetic grains lies
along the long axis of the particle. But gravitational torques cause such particles to rotate toward the
horizontal. However, in natural sediments, inclination error tends to be less than expected from these
redeposition experiments and is often absent. The general conclusion is that the magnetization process
must be in part a postdepositional detrital remanent magnetization (pDRM). Inclination error is more com-
pletely discussed in Chapter 8.
Results of an experiment that clearly demonstrated the feasibility of pDRM are shown in Figure 3.16.
Dry mixtures of magnetite and quartz were made, then exposed to a magnetizing field while flooded with
water and subsequently dried. Resulting pDRM was found to accurately record the inclination of the applied
field. Ferromagnetic particles were able to reorient in the water-rich slurry, leading to accurate recording of
the applied magnetic field direction.
Another enlightening experiment involved redeposition of deep-sea sediments (Figure 3.17). Over a
number of days, sedimentary layers were redeposited under controlled magnetic field conditions. The
declination of the applied magnetic field was switched by 180° on day 62. Whereas the change in declina-
tion of the applied magnetic field was essentially instantaneous, the resulting declination change in the
sediment column was spread out, showing a time-integrative effect and a time lag in the magnetization
process. Most significantly, the change in declination was partially recorded by sediments deposited 10 or
20 days before the change in direction of the applied magnetic field.
Natural deep-sea sediments are generally bioturbated to depths of 20 cm or more. It seems cer-
tain that any depositional DRM will be wiped out by passage of sediment through the digestive tract of
a worm (if not on the intake, then certainly on the outgo). Yet bioturbated deep-sea sediments often
are accurate recorders of the magnetic field present shortly after deposition. All of these laboratory
experiments and natural processes emphasize the importance of postdepositional DRM. In many
sediment types such as bioturbated sediments, pDRM is the only plausible mechanism for acquisition
of DRM. Other sediments possess a resultant magnetization that is probably a combination of deposi-
tional and postdepositional alignment. An analysis of the pDRM process is essential to understanding
detrital remanent magnetism.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 53

a
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
1.0 1.0

tan Io
0.5 0.5

0 0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
tan I H

H
b
m
m H

m m m

Figure 3.15 (a) The relationship between inclination (I0) of DRM in redeposited glacial sediment and the
inclination of the applied magnetic field (IH). The solid line is the graph of tan I0 = 0.4 tan IH.
Redrawn from Verosub (1977). (b) Schematic representation of ferromagnetic grains with
magnetic moments m settling in magnetic field H. Elongate grains with m along long axis tend to
rotate toward the horizontal plane, resulting in shallowed inclination of DRM.

-90

Figure 3.16 Inclination of pDRM versus inclination

pDRM inclination (°)

-60 of applied magnetic field. Samples were

dry synthetic quartz-magnetite mixtures
flooded with water in a magnetic field of
varying inclination; vertical error bars are
confidence limits on measured pDRM
-30 inclination; the solid line is the expected
result for perfect agreement between
inclinations of pDRM and the applied
magnetic field. Redrawn from Verosub
(1977).
0
0 -30 -60 -90
Field inclination (°)
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 54

65 Figure 3.17 Declination of DRM recorded by

redeposited deep-sea clay compared with
60 declination of an applied magnetic field
during redeposition. The ordinate indi-
cates the number of days since com-
Time (days)

55
mencement of the redeposition experi-
ment; the declination of the applied
50 magnetic field was changed by 180° on
day 62; sediment deposited at least 10
days before the change in magnetic field
45 declination partially recorded the new
magnetic field direction. Redrawn from
40 Verosub (1977).
0 90 180
Declination (°)

Brownian motion and postdepositional alignment

As with thermoremanent magnetism, an important randomizing influence in DRM is thermal energy. In the
postdepositional environment, thermal energy is transmitted to ferromagnetic particles by jostling from Brown-
ian motion of water molecules. It is quite likely that the amount of misalignment depends on particle size;
submicron particles are more severely jostled by water molecules than are 100-µm particles. Early attempts
to develop a theory of pDRM likened the physical rotation of small ferromagnetic grains within water-filled
pore spaces to alignment of atomic magnetic moments in a paramagnetic gas. In both situations there is an
aligning torque of the magnetic field opposed by a randomizing influence of thermal energy.
First consider an assemblage of identical ferromagnetic particles with magnetic moment m. As with
paramagnetism, the Langevin theory is applicable and leads to

= coth 
pDRM mH   kT 
−
pDRMs  kT   mH  (3.41)

where pDRM is the resulting pDRM and pDRMs is the saturation pDRM, the remanent magnetism that
would result if all magnetic moments were rigidly aligned.
The Brownian motion theory of pDRM has been refined by considering grain magnetic moments to be
distributed over a range from 0 to a maximum value, mmax. If the distribution of magnetic moments is
uniform between these limits, integration of the above expression over the range of m yields

pDRM  1 
ln 
sinh x 
= (3.42)
pDRMs  x   x 

mmax H
where x= (3.43)
kT
This expression is plotted in Figure 3.18a. For small magnetic fields and small particle magnetic moments,
the value of x in Equations (3.42) and (3.43) is small. This leads to the approximation

pDRM x mmax H
= = (3.44)
pDRMs 6 6kT
This result predicts the initial slope shown in Figure 3.18a.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 55

1.0 a b

0.8
Initial slope = 1 3
6

DRM (X 10 -4 G)
0.6
2
pDRMs
pDRM

0.4

1
0.2

0.0 0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 0 2 4 6 8
mmax H Magnetic field (Oe)
x=
kT

Figure 3.18 (a) Theoretical fractional saturation of pDRM in Brownian motion theory. The solid line is a
plot of Equation (3.42); for small x, slope is 1/6. (b) DRM acquired by redeposited glacial varved
clay as a function of applied magnetic field. The solid line is Equation (3.42) with parameters
adjusted to best fit observed DRM. Redrawn from Verosub (1977).

As with any such derivation, it is worthwhile examining whether the result is physically reasonable.
Predicted pDRM for zero magnetizing field (or for mmax = 0) is quite reasonably zero. With initial application
of a magnetizing field, pDRM logically increases in a linear fashion. In strong magnetizing fields, there is an
asymptotic behavior, with pDRM approaching an upper limit. This prediction is reasonable because even an
infinite magnetizing field could do no more than perfectly align the constituent magnetic moments. Con-
versely, for any given magnetizing field, increasing temperature is predicted to decrease resulting pDRM, as
expected for increased randomizing influence of Brownian motion. So, under first-order intuitive scrutiny,
the governing equation for pDRM seems reasonable.
Experimental data on redeposited glacial sediments are shown by data points in Figure 3.18b, wherein
Equation (3.42) was fit to the data. The form of Equation (3.42) fits the experimental data quite well, giving
confidence that the theory successfully describes dependence of pDRM on field strength. The parameter
for the glacial sediments adjusted to fit the form of Equation (3.42) is mmax . The resulting value of mmax is
7.4 × 10–14 G cm3 (7.4 × 1017 A m2). With information about grain size of magnetite particles, it is possible
to determine that intensity of magnetization is 8 G for a typical ferromagnetic grain in this sediment. This
value is intermediate between the 480 G expected for SD particles and the low intensity (<1 G) expected for
MD grains. This result indicates the importance of PSD grains to magnetization of these silts and clays.
The Brownian motion theory of pDRM has been quite successful in describing many properties of
postdepositional detrital remanent magnetism. But success of the theory does not mean that all DRM is
actually pDRM. In natural sediments, a portion of DRM may be depositional, forming by action of aligning
and gravitational torques at the time of deposition. The remainder is the result of postdepositional align-
ment. Depositional DRM can lead to inclination error, whereas pDRM realignment tends to remove inclina-
tion error. The portion of total DRM resulting from depositional alignment as opposed to pDRM processes is
thus of major concern.
The ratio of depositional to postdepositional alignment depends upon a number of factors that are
imperfectly understood. Some of the most important are the following:
1. Grain size. Small grain size enhances Brownian motion of ferromagnetic particles. Fine-grained
sediments have high water contents when initially deposited and slowly decrease in water content
during initial compaction and consolidation. Accordingly, there is ample time (perhaps 102–103 yr)
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 56

for pDRM alignment to operate. Conversely, coarse-grained sediments may have a larger portion
of total DRM formed by depositional processes.
2. Rate of deposition. Residence time for a ferromagnetic particle within the zone of high water content
depends on rate of deposition. Slow rates probably enhance postdepositional alignment.
3. Bioturbation. Sediments stirred by bioturbation acquire all detrital remanence by postdepositional
processes. Bioturbation ensures high water content in the top of the accumulating sediment col-
umn, and high water content is known to enhance pDRM alignment.

Grain-size effects
A claystone has a maximum grain diameter of 4 µm, and virtually all magnetite particles are within the SD
and PSD ranges. However, grain-size demarcation between silt and sand is 62 µm. Fine silts may have a
major portion of grains within the PSD range, but almost all magnetite grains in well-sorted coarse silts or
sands are MD.
These differences in grain size have dual importance. First, grains within SD or PSD ranges have
relatively strong magnetization. These fine particles are more efficiently aligned by the geomagnetic field
(dominantly by pDRM). Larger particles have lower intensity of magnetization and are less likely to move
freely within pore spaces in newly deposited sediment. Thus, they are not effectively aligned by either
depositional or postdepositional processes. Second, larger ferromagnetic particles within the MD grain-size
range are more susceptible to acquisition of viscous magnetization. Thus, sandstones are less efficiently
magnetized initially, and their remanent magnetization is less stable.
Other effects of grain size are also significant. For any grain size larger than medium sandstone, mechani-
cal energies begin to outweigh aligning influence of the geomagnetic field on ferromagnetic particles. Thus,
coarse sands and gravels are not likely to acquire substantial DRM. In addition, coarse sediments are generally
permeable and likely to experience chemical changes due to groundwater circulation with probable effects on
ferromagnetic minerals. For these reasons, claystones to fine sandstones are usually preferred in paleomag-
netic studies, and larger grain-size sediments are avoided.

Lock-in of DRM
The locking-in of detrital remanent magnetism occurs when dewatering and consolidation restrains motion
of sedimentary particles. Once physical contact of surrounding grains inhibits motion, DRM is mechanically
locked. Lock-in is spread over the time interval of dewatering and consolidation. Estimates of lock-in time
range up to 103 yr, depending on sedimentary environment. Larger ferromagnetic particles are probably
locked before fine particles situated in interstices.
This discussion of DRM has provided a basic understanding of remanent magnetization in detrital sedi-
mentary rocks at or soon after deposition. Considering the variations in source rocks and in depositional
and postdepositional processes, it is not surprising that DRM has a wide range of intensities. Magnetite-rich
continental deposits can have DRM intensities > 10–4 G (10–1 A/m), while marine limestones can have DRM
intensities < 10–7 G (10–4 A/m).

VISCOUS REMANENT MAGNETISM (VRM)

Viscous remanent magnetism (VRM) is a remanent magnetization that is gradually acquired during exposure to
weak magnetic fields. Natural VRM is a secondary magnetization resulting from action of the geomagnetic field
long after formation of the rock. From the paleomagnetic viewpoint, this VRM usually is undesirable noise. In
this section, we examine basic properties of viscous magnetization. By understanding the basic physics, we
can discover the properties of ferromagnetic grains that are prone to acquisition of VRM. In turn, this will explain
demagnetization techniques employed to erase viscous components of magnetization to reveal primary com-
ponents of paleomagnetic interest. We discuss these demagnetization procedures in Chapter 5.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 57

Acquisition of VRM
Experimental data illustrating acquisition of viscous remanence are shown in Figure 3.19. In this experi-
ment, a synthetic sample with dispersed 2-µm grains of magnetite was placed in a magnetic field of 3.3 Oe
(0.33 mT). Resulting VRM was measured periodically during exposure to the magnetic field, and the VRM
acquisition experiment was repeated at various temperatures. VRM at a given temperature is acquired
according to
VRM = S log t (3.45)

where t is the acquisition time (s), the time over which VRM is acquired, and S is the viscosity coefficient.
From Figure 3.19 it is clear that S increases with temperature. Because of logarithmic growth of VRM
with time of exposure, viscous magnetization is dominated by the most recent magnetizing field. Rocks that
have large components of VRM are usually observed to have NRM aligned with the present geomagnetic
field at the sampling location.
We first consider VRM acquired by single-domain grains. For assemblages of SD particles, acquisition
of VRM is essentially the inverse of magnetic relaxation. VRM acquisition involves realignment of magnetic
moments of grains with short relaxation time, τ. In Figure 3.20, contours of a hypothetical distribution of SD
grains are shown on a v–hc diagram. If the VRM acquisition experiment has been carried out for a length of
time equal to “acquisition time,” then all grains with τ ≤ acquisition time (grains shown by the heavy stippled
pattern in Figure 3.20) are effectively “unblocked” and can respond to the applied magnetic field. Magnetic
moments of these unblocked grains seek an equilibrium distribution with resulting VRM in the direction of
the applied magnetic field. As acquisition time increases, the line of τ = acquisition time sweeps through the
grain distribution, and VRM increases.
The effect of increased temperature can be understood by realizing that hc decreases with increased
temperature. The distribution of grains in v–hc space migrates toward decreasing hc (toward the left in the

550°C

525°C
20 470°C

300°C
VRM (G cm3 /gm)

15
185°C

10 100°C

20°C
5
-77°C

0
10 2 103 104
Time (s)

Figure 3.19 Progressive acquisition of VRM by synthetic sample of dispersed 2-mm diameter grains of
magnetite. Data points show VRM acquired at corresponding time since the beginning of exposure
to the magnetic field; lines show the trend of VRM for a particular VRM acquisition experiment at the
temperature indicated; the magnetic field was 3.3 Oe; zero on the ordinate is arbitrary (the absolute
value of VRM was adjusted so that results of all VRM acquisition experiments could be conveniently
shown on a single drawing). Redrawn from Stacey and Banerjee (1974).
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 58

Figure 3.20 Schematic representation of VRM

acquisition on a diagram of SD grain
Grain volume, v

volume (v ) versus microscopic coercive

force (hc ). As the time of VRM acquisi-
= 10 b.y. tion increases, the bold line labeled
VRM “τ = acquisition time” sweeps through the
SD grain population from lower left to
= acquisition time upper right; grains with progressively
longer τ can acquire VRM as acquisition
= 100 s time increases; SD grains in the dark
stippled region labeled “VRM” have
acquired VRM.
Coercive force, h c

v–hc diagram) as temperature increases. Also more thermal energy means that energy barriers to rotation
of the magnetic moment are more quickly overcome. Thus, for a given acquisition time, increasing tempera-
ture results in more grains becoming carriers of VRM; hence, viscosity coefficient, S, is increased. For
substantially elevated temperature, the resulting VRM is referred to as thermoviscous remanent magnetiza-
tion (TVRM).
In naturally acquired VRM, acquisition time can be up to 109 yr or even longer. All grains with τ < 109 yr
are potential carriers of VRM. SD grains with relaxation times >109 yr will generally retain primary magne-
tization of paleomagnetic interest. On the v–hc diagram, these stable grains with long relaxation time are in
the upper right portion of the diagram.

VRM in PSD and MD particles

VRM is acquired by PSD and MD grains through thermal activation of domain walls. As shown in Figure 3.3,
domain wall energy is a function of position. Thermal energy can activate domain walls over local energy
barriers. Interaction energy between the applied field and the magnetization of the PSD or MD grain favors
domain wall motion, resulting in increased magnetization in the direction of the applied field.
For multidomain grains, a general inverse relationship exists between coercive force and viscosity coef-
ficient. Grains of low coercive force rapidly acquire VRM, and grains with the lowest coercive force domi-
nate VRM. For magnetite-bearing rocks, VRM is generally carried by MD grains of low coercive force. This
causal connection between low coercivity and dominance of VRM is important in explaining demagnetiza-
tion of VRM in magnetite-bearing rocks.

Thermoviscous remanent magnetism (TVRM)

Rocks of paleomagnetic interest may suffer intervals of heating, possibly resulting in metamorphism. We
must understand how prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures below the Curie temperature will (1)
affect the ability of rocks to retain a primary NRM and (2) form thermoviscous magnetization (TVRM). In this
section, we present an analysis of TVRM that employs single-domain theory to predict changes in relaxation
time with temperature. This theory is quite successful in explaining acquisition of TVRM. It also explains
how portions of ferromagnetic particles in rocks can potentially retain a primary paleomagnetic record de-
spite significant metamorphism.
Initially consider an assemblage of identical SD grains. The Néel relaxation time equation with tempera-
ture dependences explicitly stated is
1  vj [T ]hc [T ]
τ (T ) = exp s  (3.46)
C  2kT 
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 59

which yields

 v j [T ] hc [T ]
ln( τ [T ] C) =  s  (3.47)
 2kT 
For an assemblage of identical grains,

v T ln ( τ [T ] C)
= constant =
js [T ] hc [T ]
(3.48)
2k
Now assume that the assemblage has relaxation times τ1 at temperature T1 and τ2 at temperature T2.
Because the left side of Equation (3.48) is constant, the relationships between parameters at T1 and T2
becomes
 T1 ln[ τ1 C]   T2 ln[ τ 2 C] 
 j T h T  = j T h T 
 s [ 1 ] c [ 1 ]  s [ 2 ] c [ 2 ]
(3.49)

To predict time-temperature relationships, we must know the temperature dependence of coercive force,
hc(T). For SD magnetite, a reasonable assertion is that coercivity is dominated by shape anisotropy and will
be given by
hc (T ) = ∆N D js (T ) (3.50)

where ∆ND is the difference in internal demagnetizing factor between short and long axes of the SD particle.
For SD hematite, coercivity is controlled by magnetocrystalline anisotropy that has more severe tempera-
ture dependence given by
hc (T ) = D js3 (T ) (3.51)

where D is a proportionality constant independent of temperature (and depends on all manner of things that
are not important to this discussion). Plugging these expressions back into Equation (3.49) yields

 T1 ln[ τ1 C]  T2 ln[ τ 2 C]

 j2 T  =  for magnetite; (3.52)
 s [ 1 ]   js 2 [T2 ] 

 T1 ln[ τ1 C]  T2 ln[ τ 2 C]

 j 4T  = 
 s [ 1 ]   js 4 [T2 ] 
for hematite. (3.53)

Using known temperature dependence of saturation magnetization, js, for magnetite and hematite (Fig-
ure 2.3), we can predict time-temperature stabilities.
The most useful way to display the resulting relaxation time and blocking temperature (τ, TB) pairs is to
generate nomograms which show the locus of points in τ–TB space that activate the same grains. Nomo-
grams for SD particles of magnetite and of hematite are shown in Figure 3.21. These diagrams are also
known as blocking diagrams. An example using Figure 3.21a will reveal the utility of these nomograms.
Point 1 of Figure 3.21a labels a point in τ–TB space corresponding to SD magnetite grains that have a
relaxation time of 10 m.y. at 260°C. These grains are expected to acquire substantial VRM if held at 260°C
for 10 m.y. Point 2 corresponds to τ = 30 minutes at T = 400°C and lies on the same nomogram as point 1.
This means that grains with τ = 10 m.y. at 260°C also have τ = 30 minutes at 400°C. The implication is that
TVRM acquired by these grains during a 10 m.y. interval at 260°C could be unblocked by heating to 400°C
for 30 minutes in zero magnetic field. Such heating would reset magnetization of these grains to zero.
Now examine points 3 and 4 in Figure 3.21a. These points are on a nomogram connecting τ–TB condi-
tions for identical grains. (These grains are of course very different from those described by points 1 and 2.)
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 60

100 200 300 400 500

1by 1by 100 200 300 400 500 600
1by 1by
1
10my
A 3 10my
10my 10my
5
10 y 10 y
5
10 5y b HEMATITE A 10 5y

a MAGNETITE
Relaxation time,

Relaxation time,
3 3
10 y 10 y 103 y 10 3y

10y 10y 10y B 10y

1mo
B 1mo
1mo 1mo

1h 1h
1h 2 4 1h
10s 10s
10s 10s
100 200 300 400 500 600
100 200 300 400 500 Blocking temperature (°C)
Blocking temperature (°C)

Figure 3.21 Blocking diagrams for (a) magnetite and (b) hematite. Lines on the diagrams connect combined
temperature and relaxation time (τ ) conditions that can unblock (reset) the magnetization in a given
population of SD grains. See text for explanation. Redrawn from Pullaiah et al. (1975).

Point 3 indicates τ =10 m.y. for TB = 520°C, whereas point 4 indicates τ = 30 minutes for TB = 550°C. Thus
grains with a 10-m.y. relaxation time at 520°C can be unblocked by heating to only a slightly higher tempera-
ture (550°C) for 30 minutes. This is another way of expressing the rapid increase in relaxation time with
decreasing temperature for grains with TB close to the Curie temperature.
The blocking diagrams of Figures 3.21a and 3.21b have been broken into two regions. Grains in the B
region have blocking temperatures on laboratory time scales (ca. 30 minutes) at temperatures at least 100°C
below the Curie temperature. These grains could acquire TVRM at modest temperatures (ca. 300°C) if
exposed to those temperatures for geologically reasonable intervals of time (ca. 10 m.y.). Grains in the B
region are thus unstable carriers of primary components of magnetization and are likely to acquire second-
ary TVRM or VRM. But grains in the A region have laboratory blocking temperatures within 100°C of the
Curie temperature. These grains are resistant to resetting of magnetization, except by heating to tempera-
tures approaching the Curie temperature. Grains in the B region tend to have blocking temperatures distrib-
uted over wide intervals far below the Curie temperature, whereas grains in the A region have sharply
defined blocking temperatures within 100°C of the Curie temperature. This explains why rocks with TB
dominantly within 100°C of the Curie temperature tend to be stable carriers of primary TRM, whereas rocks
with TB distributed far below the Curie temperature are generally unstable.
Figure 3.21 predicts that primary NRM can survive heating to the greenschist metamorphic range (300°–
500°C) but not to the amphibolite range (550°–750°C). Magnetization recorded by magnetite grains with TB in
the A region should have magnetization blocked at approximately the same time as radiogenic argon is retained
in hornblende (ca. 525°C). However, please be warned that this discussion treats only time-temperature ef-
fects. Even low-grade metamorphism is often accompanied by chemical changes that can alter the ferromag-
netic minerals, sometimes destroying the primary NRM and/or chemically remagnetizing the rock.
This theory of thermoviscous remanent magnetism also provides a basic theory of thermal demagneti-
zation of secondary NRM. SD grains that have short τ at room temperature also have low TB while grains
with long τ at room temperature have high TB. Secondary NRM is preferentially carried by the low τ (and low
TB ) grains. Thus it is possible to heat a rock to above TB of grains carrying the secondary NRM but below TB
of grains carrying the primary NRM. This process can be used to erase secondary NRM while leaving the
primary NRM essentially unaffected. Procedures for thermal demagnetization will be discussed in detail in
Chapter 5.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 61

Caveats and summary

Now for some caveats about why all this theoretical stuff that you’ve just learned (with some effort but, I
hope, little pain) might not, in fact, exactly work. One problem that is often observed is that temperatures
required to erase TVRM or VRM components are higher than those predicted by theory. Basic results still
apply, but the theory might be optimistic about the predicted ease of removing secondary TVRM. Further-
more, the theory seems to work more dependably for hematite than for magnetite.
Remember that this theory applies to SD grains. A large portion of hematite is SD, while a typical
magnetite-bearing rock has a significant portion of its grain-size distribution within the PSD range. It is likely
that the presence of PSD grains in magnetite-bearing rocks accounts for some inadequacies of this TVRM
theory. Chemical changes in ferromagnetic minerals during metamorphism were also neglected in this
TVRM theory. When considering the effects of regional metamorphism or significant burial metamorphism,
the strong possibility of chemical change and grain growth must be kept in mind.
Given the distribution of grain sizes and shapes for ferromagnetic grains in rocks, it is expected
that some portion of these grains will acquire VRM or TVRM. These components of natural remanent
magnetism are generally undesirable secondary components that we seek to destroy during partial
demagnetization experiments. We have shown that SD grains with low blocking temperatures are
particularly susceptible to acquisition of viscous magnetization. However, it has also been shown that
grains with high blocking temperature can retain primary NRM even when other grains in the same
rock have acquired VRM. So several components of NRM can reside within different populations of
ferromagnetic grains in the same rock. Much paleomagnetic research is concerned with the general
problem of deciphering multiple components of magnetization in rocks and uncovering the compo-
nents of paleomagnetic interest.

ISOTHERMAL REMANENT MAGNETISM (IRM)

Remanent magnetism resulting from short-term exposure to strong magnetizing fields at constant tempera-
ture is referred to as isothermal remanent magnetism (IRM). In the laboratory, IRM is imparted by exposure
(usually at room temperature) to a magnetizing field generated by an electromagnet. IRM is the form of
remanence produced in hysteresis experiments and is acquired by ferromagnetic grains with coercive force
less than the applied field.
Natural IRM can form as a secondary component of IRM by exposure to transient magnetic fields of
lightning strikes. Electrical currents of lightning can exceed 104 amperes, and the magnetic field within 1 m
of a lightning bolt can be 102–103 Oe (10–100 mT). It might seem an unlikely circumstance to collect a
paleomagnetic sample within 1 m of the location where a lightning bolt has struck. However, a brief exami-
nation shows that lightning-induced IRM can be a significant problem, especially in regions of frequent
thunderstorm activity.
Worldwide incidence of lightning strikes is a surprising 102–103 strikes/s. Substantial IRM is acquired
within 2 m of a lightning strike, and a reasonable estimate of the time required to erode 2 m from a slope
affording a fresh outcrop for paleomagnetic sampling is 104 yr. The resulting worldwide average is found to
be about 0.1 lightning strike/m2 over a time interval of 104 yr. Considering that lightning storms are concen-
trated in tropical regions, the probability of lightning strikes having imparted a secondary IRM to outcrops in
these regions is substantial. Lightning-prone outcrops on ridges or mesas are likely to have experienced
numerous strikes with virtually complete remagnetization. The obvious lesson is to avoid elevated expo-
sures when sampling and to be thorough when examining NRM in the laboratory. Field and laboratory
methods are considered in the following chapters.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 62

SUGGESTED READINGS
THERMOREMANENT MAGNETISM:
L. Néel, Some theoretical aspects of rock magnetism, Adv. Phys., v. 4, 191–242, 1955.
The classic article on TRM.
F.D. Stacey, The physical theory of rock magnetism, Adv. Phys., v. 12, 45–133, 1963.
Presents an in-depth investigation of various forms of NRM.
F.D. Stacey and S.K. Banerjee, The Physical Principles of Rock Magnetism, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 195 pp,
1974.
Chapters 6 and 7 treat TRM.
DETRITAL REMANENT MAGNETISM:
D.W. Collinson, Depositional remanent magnetization in sediments, J. Geophys. Res., v. 70, 4663–4668,
1965.
Discusses numerous aspects of DRM acquisition.
E. Irving and A. Major, Post-depositional detrital remanent magnetization in a synthetic sediment, Sedimen-
tology, v. 3, 135–143, 1964.
A classic PDRM experiment.
F.D. Stacey, On the role of Brownian motion in the control of detrital remanent magnetization of sediments,
Pure Appl. Geophys., v. 98, 139–145, 1972.
Treats the Brownian motion model of PDRM.
K.L. Verosub, Depositional and post-depositional processes in the magnetization of sediments, Rev. Geophys.
Space Phys., v. 15, 129–143, 1977.
Excellent review article on DRM.
VISCOUS REMANENT MAGNETISM:
D.J. Dunlop, Viscous magnetization of .04–100 µm magnetites, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc., v. 74, 667–
687, 1983.
A more advanced look at VRM.
G.E. Pullaiah, E. Irving, K.L. Buchan, and D.J. Dunlop, Magnetization changes caused by burial and uplift,
Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v. 28, 133–143, 1975.
Develops the blocking diagram approach to TVRM.
LIGHTNING-INDUCED ISOTHERMAL REMANENT MAGNETISM:
A. Cox, Anomalous remanent magnetization of basalt, U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull., v. 1083–E, 131–160, 1961.
A classic study of effects of lightning on natural remanent magnetism.

PROBLEMS
3.1 Consider a highly elongate rod (needle-shaped grain) of ferromagnetic material.
a. Develop a simple derivation that demonstrates that ND ≈ 0 along the long axis of the rod and
ND ≈ 2π along the diameter of the rod (perpendicular to the long axis).
b. For a needle-shaped grain of titanomagnetite with js = 400 G, what external magnetic field is
required to magnetize the rod to saturation along the diameter (perpendicular to the long axis)?

3.2 A sample is made up of 7% by volume of SD ferromagnetic grains randomly dispersed within a

diamagnetic matrix. The coercive force of the ferromagnetic material is dominated by a uniaxial
magnetocrystalline anisotropy with anisotropy constant K = 4.5 × 104 erg/cm3. Saturation magne-
tization is js = 100 G.
a. Determine the microscopic coercive force, hc, of individual SD grains.
b. Consider a hysteresis experiment on this sample. Determine the following hysteresis param-
eters for the sample: Js , Jr , Hc .

3.3 Spherical SD grains of hematite (α Fe2O3) are precipitating from solution at a temperature of 280°K.
The microscopic coercive force, hc = 104 Oe; the saturation magnetization, js = 2 G; and the Boltzmann
constant, k = 1.38 × 10–16 erg/°K.
a. Use the relaxation time equation (Equation (3.14)) to determine the diameter of spherical hema-
tite grains that have τ = 100 s.
Paleomagnetism: Chapter 3 63

b. Assuming that Equation (3.24) (developed to determine the bias of grain magnetic moments
during blocking of TRM) can also be used for CRM formation, what is the bias (P+ – P– ) of grain
magnetic moments for a population of spherical hematite grains with the parameters listed
above? Assume that CRM is blocked when τ = 100 and that the magnetic field present during
precipitation is 1 Oe. Remember that for small x, tanh x ≈ x.

3.4 Hydrothermal activity elevates the temperature of a red sandstone to 225°C for a time interval of
1000 yr and results in formation of thermoviscous remanent magnetization (TVRM). If hematite is
the exclusive ferromagnetic mineral in this red sandstone, approximately what temperature of ther-
mal demagnetization is required to unblock (remove) this TVRM? The time at maximum tempera-
ture during thermal demagnetization is approximately 30 min.