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Limestones distinguished by magnetic hysteresis in three‐dimensional projections
Author(s) -
Borradaile G. J.,
Hamilton Tom
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl017892
Subject(s) - hysteresis , geology , projection (relational algebra) , paleomagnetism , magnetic hysteresis , plane (geometry) , space (punctuation) , orientation (vector space) , rock magnetism , magnetite , geometry , sedimentary depositional environment , remanence , mineralogy , physics , paleontology , mathematics , magnetization , condensed matter physics , magnetic field , computer science , algorithm , quantum mechanics , operating system , structural basin
Magnetic hysteresis data determine the suitability of rocks for paleomagnetic work, provide clues to paleo‐environment and paleo‐climate and they may characterize depositional environments for limestones. However, the variables chosen for conventional two‐dimensional hysteresis plots, such as that of Day et al. [1977], are not always suitable to discriminate between samples. Distinguishing samples by their regression surfaces in 3D hysteresis space may be more successful in some cases [ Borradaile and Lagroix , 2000] but a 2D projection with a less arbitrary viewing axis is preferable for routine reporting. We show that limestone samples are simply discriminated in a new 2D projection produced by projecting hysteresis data from three dimensions ( x, y, z = Mr/Ms, Bcr, Bc) onto a plane containing the Mr/Ms axis. The orientation of the plane is controlled by its x ‐axis that is defined by a suitably selected Bcr/Bc ratio, most often in the magnetite PSD range, 2< (Bcr/Bc) < 4.