Open AccessDoes the Mesozoic dipole low really exist?
Author(s) -
Thomas D. N.,
Biggin A. J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2003eo110002
Subject(s) - supercontinent , geology , earth's magnetic field , paleontology , polarity (international relations) , geophysics , geomagnetic reversal , mesozoic , dynamo theory , paleomagnetism , earth science , tectonics , physics , dynamo , magnetic field , genetics , quantum mechanics , structural basin , biology , craton , cell
Documenting variations in the virtual dipole moment (VDM) of the geomagnetic field through geologic time has recently been the subject of considerable interest, not the least because a detailed and reliable VDM record would provide a key constraint for geodynamo modeling. Such a record would also inform the debate concerning issues related to Earth's geodynamic evolution, such as how the geomagnetic field responds to stages in supercontinent cycling. The relationship between variations in geomagnetic polarity and field intensity with lowermost mantle (LMM) processes is fundamental, but the paucity of the VDM record has focused research on the links between polarity and LMM processes. Nonetheless, authors agree on the crucial need to produce a detailed VDM record in which we can place sufficient confidence to allow these major issues to be addressed [e.g., Biggin and Thomas , 2003; Heller et al. , 2002; Riisager et al. , 2002; Tarduno et al. , 2001; Selkin and Tauxe , 2000].