Premium
Paleomagnetism of tertiary tuffs from the ‘lava dam’, Southern House Range, Utah
Author(s) -
Gillett Stephen L.
Publication year - 1982
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/gl009i009p01025
Subject(s) - lava , geology , paleomagnetism , polarity (international relations) , bedding , magnetization , geochemistry , volcano , paleontology , geomorphology , magnetic field , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics , biology , horticulture , cell
At ‘Lava Dam’, Utah, the Tunnel Spring Tuff yields a reversed‐polarity characteristic magnetization; two units within the tuff yield similar but distinct directions of magnetization (lower: D=156°,I=−73°,α 95 =2°; upper: D=137°,I=−73°,α 95 =2°; no bedding corrections applied). If this difference reflects paleosecular variation, it suggests that the two units reflect different eruptions perhaps a few tens of years apart. The Cottonwood Wash Tuff Member (D=348°,I=50°,α 95 =2°) and the Wah Wah Springs Tuff Member (D=344°,I=47°, α 95 =3°) of the Needles Range Formation yield normal‐polarity magnetizations. The polarity of the Cottonwood Wash is consistent with the results of other workers, but the Wah Wah Springs has been reported to have reversed polarity. Whether the normal polarity at Lava Dam is due to pervasive remagnetization of that section or to miscorrelation of the Wah Wah Springs cannot be determined from the present data, but miscorrelation seems more likely.