Open AccessIdentifying the origin of the magnetic directional anomalies recorded in the Datong loess profile, northeastern Chinese loess plateau
Author(s) -
Zhu Rixiang,
Liu Qingsong,
Pan Yongxin,
Deng Chenglong,
Sun Jimin
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.2006.02848.x
Subject(s) - geology , loess , magnetic anomaly , loess plateau , sedimentary depositional environment , magnetostratigraphy , sedimentary rock , remanence , anomaly (physics) , natural remanent magnetization , geomorphology , paleontology , paleomagnetism , magnetization , magnetic field , soil science , structural basin , physics , condensed matter physics , quantum mechanics
SUMMARY To better understand the origin of short‐term features of palaeomagnetic signals recorded by the Chinese loess, detailed palaeomagnetic and magnetic fabric studies were conducted on a loess profile at Datong, the northeastern margin of the loess plateau, which is characterized by both high sedimentation rate (∼18 cm ka −1 ) and variations of sedimentary environments. It appears that the magnetic fabrics, specifically the inclination of the maximum magnetic susceptibility principal axis (K1‐Inc), are robust means to identify the deposition environments. Our results (<∼74 ka) record four palaeodirectional anomalies (referred as A–D). Among them, anomaly C with relatively normal fabrics can be correlated to the Laschamp (∼40 ka) excursion. In contrast, anomalies A, B and D accompanying with K1‐Inc anomalies, are interpreted to be caused by post‐depositional disturbances. The new results improve our understanding of the origins of the natural remanent magnetization recorded by the Chinese loess.