Analytical methods in rock magnetism and paleomagnetism and their applications to mesozoic igneous rocks from South-West Africa

Abstract

Preface provided by author:

The dissertation consists of an introduction and the four following papers. [I] Gidskehaug, A., 1975. Method to determine the degree of non-stoichiometry of iron-titanium oxides. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc, 41, 255-268. [II] Gidskehaug, A., 1976, Statistics on a sphere. Submitted to Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. [III] Gidskehaug, A. and Davison, W. T., 1976. Electronprobe micro-analyses of opaque mineralogy in Mesozoic lavas from South-West Africa, submitted to Phys. Earth Planet. Int. [IV] Gidskehaug, A., Creer, K. M. and Mitchell, J. G., 1975. Palaeo-magnetism and K-Ar ages of the South-West African basalts and their bearing on the time of initial rifting of the South Atlantic Ocean. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc., 42, 1-20

The work started at School of Physics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1969 in connection with a research project, initiated by Professor K. M. Creer, to study rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic properties of Mesozoic rocks in South-West Africa. The ultimate purpose of the project was to correlate African and South-American palaeomagnetic data to gain further information about the time of opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. Most of the laboratory experiments were carried out during a 2½ years stay at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne