Paleomagnetism

As IODP considers paleomagnetic measurements an important part of the non-destructive measurement routine, any expedition will definitely have researchers in this field onboard. The first thing expected of an onboard paleomagnetics researcher is to determine the magnetostratigraphy of core. The next steps are to develop a research strategy based on the measurement results obtained onboard, take samples using U-channels or the like, and follow this up by more detailed research on land. On an expedition where sediment is cored, core sections are measured while being moved through the pass-through superconducting magnetometer (SQUID) installed onboard. Different from measuring individual samples (cube samples), performing pass-through measurements on core sections and U-channels and interpreting the results poses certain challenges, which require a fair amount of knowledge. For this reason, the foremost objective of the paleomagnetics course was to impart the knowledge required for onboard research by training students in paleomagnetic measurement at the Kochi Core Center using the same pass-through SQUID system as is installed on the Chikyu and JOIDES Resolution drilling vessels. At the same time, the Kochi Core Center boasts state-of-the-art equipment for measuring rock magnetism, including a low temperature magnetic property measurement system (MPMS) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VMS), which it is hoped will be used after expeditions for joint research and achieving results. Course participants were also trained in the basic use of this equipment and what it can be used for.