This reference encompasses the fields of Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism in a single volume. Both sciences have applications in navigation, in the search for minerals and hydrocarbons, in dating rock sequences, and in unraveling past geologic movements such as plate motions they have contributed to a better understanding of the Earth. The book describes in fine detail the current state of knowledge and provides an up-to-date synthesis of the most basic concepts. It is an indispensable working tool not only for geophysicists and geophysics students but also for geologists, physicists, atmospheric and environmental scientists, and engineers.

"This book by Lisa Tauxe and others is a marvelous tool for education and research in Paleomagnetism. Many students in the U.S. and around the world will welcome this publication, which was previously only available via the Internet. Professor Tauxe has performed a service for teaching and research that is utterly unique."—Neil D. Opdyke, University of Florida

This volume presents lectures given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute held 11-22 April 1988 at Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The aim of the Institute was to improve the interaction between workers in observational geomagnetism (using historical data) and archaeo- and palaeo-magnetism (using the remanent magnetization of man-made artefacts and of natural sediments and rocks) and those trying to interpret the data in terms of mechanisms inside or outside the Earth, particularly those developing dynamo theories of the field. The material discussed ranged from magnetic bacteria swimming round a circle in a few seconds, the effect of El Nino, through secular variation with time scales of tens to thousands of years and the'mechanics of individual field reversals and excursions (aborted reversals?) to possible modulation of average reversal frequency on the hundred million year time scale. Many members of the Physics Department helped with the organization, and we are most grateful to them, and in particular to Anne Codling for her very many contributions. We also gratefully acknowledge the painstaking work of Aileen Dryburgh and Lynn Whiteford in so carefully typing the manuscript.

Paleomagnetic data are useful in many applications in Earth Science from determining paleocurrent directions to analyzing the long-term behavior of the geomagnetic field. In this book, an attempt has been made to draw together the various principles and practices within paleomagnetism in a consistent and up-to-date manner. It includes many practical examples that illustrate various applications of paleomagnetism. A companion software package implements the theory explained in the text. Audience: This volume is aimed at professional Earth Scientists using paleomagnetic data for their research. It is also suitable for use as a text book for students in courses with a paleomagnetic content. In addition, this volume will be of value to other professionals with an interest in the analysis of vector and tensor data in general.

Initially, this book reviews the general characteristics of the Earth’s magnetic field and the magnetic properties of minerals, and then proceeds to introduce the multifold applications of geomagnetism in earth sciences. The authors analyze the contribution of geomagnetism both in more general geological fields, such as tectonics and geodynamics, and in applied ones, such as prospecting and pollution. Primarily, the book is aimed at undergraduate geology or geophysics students. It is geared to provide them with a general overview of geomagnetism, allowing them to understand what contributions this branch of science can offer in the more special sectors of earth sciences. Graduate students and geology researchers will also benefit from it, as it enables them to gain a clear and concise image of the techniques which can be applied in their areas of specialization.

Topics involved in studies of the Earth's magnetic field and its secular variation range from the intricate observations of geomagnetism, to worldwide studies of archeomagnetism and paleomagnetism, through to the complex mathematics of dynamo theory. Traditionally these different aspects of geomagnetism have in the main been studied and presented in isolation from each other. This text draws together these lines of inquiry into an integrated framework to highlight the interrelationships and thus to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the geomagnetic field.

The Earth's Magnetic Field : Its History, Origin, and Planetary Perspective

This 1994 book examines how reversals of the Earth's magnetic field have played a major role in establishing plate tectonics and a geological time scale.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to the active sun as a source of disturbance that affect the magnetic field measured at the earth's surface. Included under this topic are the general sun's properties, solar surface activity centers and characteristics of the solar field and ejecta flowing into interplanetary space.