An Integrated Geomagnetic and Petrologic Study of the Dufek Complex

Abstract: This project studies remnant magnetization in igneous rocks from the Dufek igneous complex, Antarctica. Its primary goal is to understand variations in the Earth's magnetic field during the Mesozoic Dipole Low (MDL), a period when the Earth's magnetic field underwent dramatic weakening and rapid reversals. This work will resolve the MDL's timing and nature, and assess connections between reversal rate, geomagnetic intensity and directional variability, and large-scale geodynamic processes. The project also includes petrologic studies to determine cooling rate effects on magnetic signatures, and understand assembly of the Dufek as an igneous body. Poorly studied, the Dufek is amongst the world's largest intrusions and its formation is connected to the break-up of Gondwana. The broader impacts of this project include graduate and undergraduate education and international collaboration with a German and Chilean IPY project.摘要：本项目针对南极洲杜费克火成岩杂岩中的火成岩剩余磁化强度（remnant magnetization）展开研究。其核心目标是阐明中生代磁偶极子低能期（Mesozoic Dipole Low, MDL）期间地球磁场的变化特征，该时期地球磁场曾发生剧烈减弱与快速倒转。本研究将厘清MDL的发生时序与本质特征，并评估磁场倒转速率、地磁强度、方向变异性与大型地球动力学过程之间的关联。本项目还涵盖岩石学研究，以明确冷却速率对磁学信号的影响，并阐明杜费克杂岩作为火成岩体的形成与就位过程。杜费克杂岩是全球规模最大的侵入岩体之一，此前相关研究尚未得到充分开展，其形成过程与冈瓦纳大陆的裂解存在密切联系。本项目的综合影响包括支持研究生与本科生教育，以及与德国、智利的国际极地年（International Polar Year, IPY）项目开展国际合作。