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Dynamical similarity of geomagnetic field reversals

Nature volume 490, pages 89–93 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

No consensus has been reached so far on the properties of the geomagnetic field during reversals or on the main features that might reveal its dynamics. A main characteristic of the reversing field is a large decrease in the axial dipole and the dominant role of non-dipole components1,2,3. Other features strongly depend on whether they are derived from sedimentary or volcanic records. Only thermal remanent magnetization of lava flows can capture faithful records of a rapidly varying non-dipole field, but, because of episodic volcanic activity, sequences of overlying flows yield incomplete records. Here we show that the ten most detailed volcanic records of reversals can be matched in a very satisfactory way, under the assumption of a common duration, revealing common dynamical characteristics. We infer that the reversal process has remained unchanged, with the same time constants and durations, at least since 180 million years ago. We propose that the reversing field is characterized by three successive phases: a precursory event, a 180° polarity switch and a rebound. The first and third phases reflect the emergence of the non-dipole field with large-amplitude secular variation. They are rarely both recorded at the same site owing to the rapidly changing field geometry and last for less than 2,500 years. The actual transit between the two polarities does not last longer than 1,000 years and might therefore result from mechanisms other than those governing normal secular variation. Such changes are too brief to be accurately recorded by most sediments.

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Figure 1: Paths of VGPs.
Figure 2: Dynamical characteristics of the reversal records.
Figure 3: Secular variation in presence of low axial dipole.
Figure 4: Reversal timing and eruption rates.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to J. Dyon for significantly improving the quality of the figures and to J. Channell for providing us with his reversal data. This is IPGP contribution number 3313 and HIGP contribution number 1987.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Diderot, UMR 7154 CNRS, 1 rue Jussieu, 75238 Paris Cedex 05, France,

    Jean-Pierre Valet, Alexandre Fournier & Vincent Courtillot

  2. SOEST-Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1608 East West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA,

    Emilio Herrero-Bervera

Authors
  1. Jean-Pierre Valet
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  2. Alexandre Fournier
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  3. Vincent Courtillot
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  4. Emilio Herrero-Bervera
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Contributions

J.-P.V. initiated the study, performed reversal data treatment and wrote the manuscript. A.F. contributed to all stages of the study by developing the link with theoretical modelling, performing the calculations derived from the CALS10k.1b model, writing and editing. V.C. edited the manuscript and influenced its content via discussions. E.H.-B. acquired a large part of the data and critically read the paper.

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Correspondence to Jean-Pierre Valet.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Valet, JP., Fournier, A., Courtillot, V. et al. Dynamical similarity of geomagnetic field reversals. Nature 490, 89–93 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11491

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