Open AccessThe Remanent Magnetization of the Basic Tertiary Igneous Rocks of Skye, Inverness‐shire
Author(s) -
Khan Mohammed Aftab
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
geophysical journal of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0016-8009
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1960.tb00064.x
Subject(s) - igneous rock , gabbro , geology , remanence , magnetization , geochemistry , rock magnetism , petrology , geophysics , magnetic field , physics , quantum mechanics
Summary The remanent magnetization of the basic igneous rocks of Skye, the hypersthene gabbro of Ardnamurchan, and the layered gabbro of Rhum has been examined. All the rocks possessing stable magnetization were found to be reversely magnetized. This is believed to be due to the Earth's magnetic field being reversed during the half million years or so during which the rocks were formed. Reasons are given for supposing that the dips of the Skye rocks are formational. The ancient pole position during part of the Lower Miocene is estimated to be 700.8 (k30.8) N. Lat., and 1590.6 (L‐50.1) E. Long., a position which is significantly different from that of the present geographic pole. It is concluded that there has been relative movement between North‐west Europe and the pole since the Lower Miocene. The directions of magnetization are used in an attempt to correlate some of the lavas and dykes of Skye. It is also tentatively suggested that the rocks of Skye, Rhum and Ardnamurchan are of approximately the same age.