Preferred Orientations of Magnetic Minerals Inferred from Magnetic Fabrics of Hantangang Quaternary Basalts

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and paleomagnetic data from Quaternary basalt outcrops along the Hantangang River, Korea. A total of 554 samples were collected from 20 sites, representing three distinct units, Unit I, Unit II, and Unit III. Paleomagnetic data reveal a difference in the timing of eruptions between Units I and II, suggesting distinct periods by volcanic episodes. The mineral magnetic analysis identified titanomagnetite as the dominant magnetic carrier in the samples. AMS results indicated weak anisotropy and scattered AMS directions, indicating a low degree of preferred orientation of grains within the basalt rocks. The inverse AMS fabrics observed at specific sites are attributed to single-domain (SD) grains. Comparing the AMS data with the anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (AARM) data, three distinct types of magnetic fabrics (normal, intermediate, and inverse) were discerned. The magnetic fabric was utilized to ascertain the flow direction based on the findings obtained from the AMS results. The findings suggest that the Quaternary basalts in this study’s area were primarily confined to the Hantangang River channel and its immediate vicinity during lava flow. However, distinct flow patterns are observed in the southwestern region, implying the presence of unknown volcanic sources.