Limitations of tensor subtraction in isolating diamagnetic fabrics by magnetic anisotropy

Abstract

The anisotropy of low field susceptibility (AMS) represents the orientation distribution of all minerals in a rock, whereas the anisotropy of magnetic remanence (AMR, preferably anhysteretic) isolates that of the accessory remanence-bearing minerals. The subtraction of normalized AMR from AMS, in theory and under limited practical circumstances, may isolate the paramagnetic+diamagnetic anisotropy contribution and thus the orientation distribution of the matrix minerals ( Borradaile et al., 1999. Geol. Soc. Lond., Sp. Publ. 151, 139–145). Limitations include the great sensitivity of the subtraction process to the precision of the definition of the respective (AMS, AMR) tensors, and a requirement that single-domain and superparamagnetic grains are absent. The latter is particularly important for superparamagnetic minerals because iron oxides may be part of the orientation distribution of the main group of remanence-bearing minerals, although they would be excluded from the AMR fabric. Low ratios of saturation isothermal remanence to induced susceptibility characterize those rare rocks in which superparamagnetic behavior is a significant contribution.