Abstract
The Mesozoic Dipole Low (MDL) is a period, covering at least
~80 million years, of low dipole moment that ended at
the start of the Cretaceous Normal Superchron. Recent studies of
Devonian age Siberian localities identified similarly low field values a
few tens of million years prior to the Permo-Carboniferous Reverse
Superchron (PCRS). To constrain the length and timing of this potential
new dipole low, this study presents new paleointensity estimates from
Strathmore (~411-416 Ma) and Kinghorn
(~332 Ma) lava flows, UK. Both localities have been
studied for paleomagnetic poles (Q values of 6-7) and the sites were
assessed for their suitability for paleointensity from paleodirections,
rock magnetic analysis, and microscopy. Thermal- and microwave-IZZI
protocol experiments were used to determine site mean paleointensity
estimates of ~3-51 μT (6-98 ZAm²) and 4-11 μT (9-27
ZAm²) from the Strathmore and Kinghorn localities, respectively. These,
and all of the sites from 200-500 Ma from the (updated) PINT15 database,
were assessed using the Qualitative Paleointensity criteria (Qᴘɪ). The
procurement of reliable (Qᴘɪ ≥5), weak paleointensity estimates from
this and other studies indicates a period of low dipole moment (median
field strength of 17 ZAm²) for ~80 Myrs, from 332-416
Ma. This “Mid-Paleozoic Dipole Low (MPDL)” bears a number of
similarities to the MDL, including the substantial increase in field
strength near the onset of the PCRS. The MPDL also adds support to
inverse relationship between reversal frequency and field strength and a
possible ~200 million-year cycle in paleomagnetic
behavior relating to mantle convection.