Direction and intensity of the geomagnetic field before, during and after a reversal - paleo- and rockmagnetic studies on mesozoic and paleozoic volcanic rocks

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Heinrich Soffel
• Subject Area: Geophysics
• Term: from 2000 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5249080

Although major advances have been made during the last decades in deciphering the change in geometry of the Earth's magnetic field during a reversal, the record of field transitions in the further past of Earth's history is still very sparse. Especially information on the paleointensity of the Earth's magnetic field before, during and after a reversal is basically not available. The same holds true for systematic studies of the directional change during a reversal. Thus, it hasn't been demonstrated yet, whether models for field reversals developed for Cenozoic and Tertiary rocks are valid for older epochs in Earth's history. In the project proposed here, a systematic paleomagnetic and rockmagnetic study of Siberian trap basalts is planned. These rocks straddle the Permo-Triassic boundary, are well dated and first results demonstrate the suitability of the material for paleomagnetic and rockmagnetic studies. It is anticipated that valuable information on the geometry and intensity of the Earth's magnetic field in the past will be gained.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1097: Geomagnetic Variations: Spatio-Temporal Structure, Processes, and Effects on System Earth
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Valerian Bachtadse