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Science 14 October 1988:
Vol. 242. no. 4876, pp. 252 - 256
DOI: 10.1126/science.242.4876.252
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Articles

The Paleomagnetic Field from Equatorial Deep-Sea Sediments: Axial Symmetry and Polarity Asymmetry

David A. Schneider 1 and Dennis V. Kent 1

1 Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory and Department of Geological Sciences, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964

Paleomagnetic data from 89 equatorial deep-sea sediment cores indicate that the configuration of the time-averaged geomagnetic field depends strongly on polarity state but that it remains within 1 degree of axial symmery throughout the Pliocene and Pleistocene (last 5 million years). The relative magnitude of the nondipole field was greater by almost a factor of 2 during reverse than during normal polarity intervals. These results thus support earlier suggestions that there may be a standing (nonreversing) component of the geomagnetic dynamo.

Submitted on June 7, 1988
Accepted on August 22, 1988


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Paleomagnetism and the Nature of the Geodynamo.
R. T. Merrill, R. T. Merrill, and P. L. McFadden (1990)
Science 248, 345-350
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)