Characteristic magnetic properties of titanomagnetites in continental igneous rocks

Abstract

Curie temperatures, hysteresis, alternating field properties and anhysteretic and ordinary susceptibilities have been used to characterize the titanomagnetites in a large collection of continental granites, diorites, syenites, anorthosites, gabbros, diabases and basalts. Low-Curie-point titanomagnetites or titanomaghemites were found only in basalts. In all shallow and deep-seated intrusive rocks, the predominant magnetic phase was nearly-titanium-free titanomagnetite with a Curie point of 520–580°C. Most felsic plutonic rocks owed their magnetic properties to coarse, discrete titanomagnetites with truly multidomain properties. Many mafic plutonic rocks (anorthosites, gabbros, norites) displayed bimodal magnetic properties, strong-field properties being due to the discrete titanomagnetites and weak-field properties being due to fine magnetite inclusions in deuterically altered silicates. The Lowrie-Fuller test and the anhysteretic induction curve were the most diagnostic tests of this bimodal behaviour. Grain-size variation within a single diabase dike or sill had a strong expression in all magnetic properties, except H R / H c and the Lowrie-Fuller test. On the other hand, the Lowrie-Fuller test was a sensitive indicator of changes in “effective” grain size in basalts due to the subdivision of grains by ilmenite lamellae.