PMTOOLS: New Application for Paleomagnetic Data Analysis

Abstract

Abstract—This paper introduces PMTools (https://pmtools.ru), a novel cross-platform open-source web application designed for the analysis of paleomagnetic data. Our software offers a user-friendly interface and supports the most commonly used data formats in paleomagnetism, including .pmd, .dir, .pmm, .rs3, .squid, .vgp, and .gpml. It encompasses all the necessary functionalities for conducting principal component analysis of natural remanent magnetization and computing mean paleomagnetic directions along with corresponding virtual geomagnetic (paleomagnetic) poles. PMTools facilitates the application of various paleomagnetic tests to user data, such as the fold test, conglomerate test, and reversals test. Notably, the application allows for seamless import and export of paleomagnetic data (tables) in formats compatible with .csv and MS Excel. Additionally, all generated figures can be exported as high-quality vector graphics in .svg format, specifically designed for direct integration into publications and presentations. Furthermore, PMTools enables the export of sets of paleomagnetic poles in GMap and GPlates software formats, enabling researchers to promptly use their paleomagnetic data for paleotectonic reconstructions. PMTools has an intuitive interface, customizable hotkeys, and an extensive array of graph elements, all of which contribute to making PMTools an appealing, cutting-edge tool for processing and analyzing the results of paleomagnetic studies.