Andreas Nilsson
Universitetslektor
Refining Holocene geochronologies using palaeomagnetic records
Författare
Summary, in English
The aperiodic nature of geomagnetic field variations, both in intensity and direction, can aid in dating archaeological artefacts, volcanic rocks, and sediment records that carry a palaeomagnetic signal. The success of palaeomagnetic dating relies upon our knowledge of past field variations at specific locations. Regional archaeo- and palaeomagnetic reference curves and predictions from global geomagnetic field models provide our best description of field variations through the Holocene. State-of-the-art palaeomagnetic laboratory practices and accurate independent age controls are prerequisites for deriving reliable reference curves and models from archaeological, volcanic, and sedimentary palaeomagnetic data. In this review paper we give an overview of these prerequisites and the available reference curves and models, discuss techniques for palaeomagnetic dating, and outline its limitations. In particular, palaeomagnetic dating on its own cannot give unique results, but rather serves to refine or confirm ages obtained by other methods. Owing to the non-uniform character of magnetic field variations in different regions, care is required when choosing a palaeomagnetic dating curve, so that the distance between the dating curve and the record to be dated is not too large. Accurate reporting and incorporation of new, independently dated archaeo- and palaeomagnetic results into databases will help to improve reference curves and global models for all regions on Earth.
Avdelning/ar
- Kvartärgeologi
Publiceringsår
2019
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
47-74
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Quaternary Geochronology
Volym
50
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Elsevier
Ämne
- Geology
Nyckelord
- Archaeomagnetic dating
- Geochronology
- Palaeomagnetic dating
- Palaeosecular variation
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1871-1014