Holocene paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) near 80° N, Northwest Spitsbergen, Svalbard: Implications for evaluating High Arctic sediment chronologies

Abstract

We present a paleomagnetic study of two Holocene lake sediment sequences from Northwest Spitsbergen on Svalbard, Norway. Core HAP-212 from Lake Hajeren preserves a rare combination of a well-defined Characteristic Remanent Magnetization (ChRM) and robust age control defined by 21 terrestrial macrofossil-derived radiocarbon dates—providing a unique opportunity to assess the stratigraphic potential of High Arctic Holocene paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) close to 80° N. Core AMP-112 from Hakluytvatnet, which is also well dated, is a poor magnetic recorder and cannot be used for geomagnetic reconstruction. Comparison of the HAP-212 PSV record with poorly dated regional records show similar directional features, suggesting that PSV can be used for chronological synchronization. Comparison of the HAP-212 PSV with well dated records ∼1800 km to the southwest and southeast show that these records are in-phase at millennial timescales, within dating and magnetic uncertainties, indicating that a consistent geomagnetic signal is recorded at these temporal and spatial scales. These findings support the notion that PSV, when optimally recorded, can be used to import chronologies from lower latitudes to the High Arctic, where low organic content, hard water effects, lack of datable material, and other difficulties often preclude more conventional radiocarbon dating.