Paleomagnetic results from the Beardmore Glacier Region, Antarctica

Abstract

A paleomagnetic study has been made of thirteen oriented samples of Jurassic dolerite from sills intruding sedimentary rocks of the Beacon Group near the Beard-more Glacier (84°S, 165°E). Laboratory tests indicate a stable direction of magnetisation with a declination of 244° and an inclination of ∼75° (steeply upwards), from which the paleomagnetic pole relative to Antarctica for the Jurassic is calculated on the geocentric dipole model to have been at 59°S, 139°W: This is in agreement with results from dolerites of similar age from two other areas in Antarctica. Such demonstrations of uniformity are powerful evidence for the correctness of the geocentric dipole model for the ancient Earth's field, and for the reliability of paleomagnetic results. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.