Abstract
Investigating mineral magnetic properties of meteorites is essential to understanding the formation and evolution of planetary bodies in the solar system. In order to decipher ancient magnetic records, demagnetization experiments were carried out for the ∼4550 Ma Richardton H5 chondrite. Alternating-field demagnetization revealed a soft fraction as well as a hard fraction. Conventional thermal demagnetization in air showed severe alterations. But, a few thermal demagnetizations in vacuum were successful in isolating a stable paleomagnetic record. On the basis of microscopic analysis, we found that fine-grained clinopyroxene-hosted kamacite is abundant, responsible for the stable and permanent magnetic record of Richardton. The experimental data imply a thermal or thermochemical origin for the stable paleomagnetic record of Richardton. However, the possibility of pressure (re)magnetization cannot be evaluated because the effect of pressure on magnetization for the Fe-Ni system is unknown.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 12-18 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors |
Volume | 177 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 Nov |
Keywords
- Chondrite
- Fe-Ni system
- Kamacite
- Meteorite
- Richardton
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Geophysics
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
- Space and Planetary Science