THE REMANENT MAGNETISM OF ARTIFICIALLY DEPOSITED SEDIMENTS

Abstract

Experiments are described in which samples of unconsolidated glacial deposits from Sweden were redispersed and allowed to settle in a tank. The direction and intensity of the resultant magnetic field were varied and currents were created in the tank in an attempt to discover what factors, other than the magnetic field, control the alignment of the permanently magnetized particles which give the sediment its remanent magnetic moment. Two such factors were found to be important, namely the slope of the surface on which the sediment was deposited and the velocity of the current immediately above this surface. A tentative theory of the effect of slope is put forward which accounts almost quantitatively for the experimental results and in addition leads to a qualitative explanation of the effect of bottom currents. The relationship of these results to measurements of the direction of the natural remanence of the same material is discussed. Copyright © 1955, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved