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15-Myr periodicity in the frequency of geomagnetic reversals since 100 Myr

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Abstract

The statistical properties of the magnetic polarity time scale have been examined recently1,2 for several time scales. For some of these scales the time evolution of the frequency of reversals as seen through an 8-Myr moving rectangular window have been determined. In particular, over the past 100 Myr, the mean reversal frequency appears to be dominated by a linearly increasing trend on which is superimposed a rhythmic fluctuation. We have attempted to analyse the mathematical structure of the reversal frequency curve in detail and to determine whether the rhythmic fluctuation was indeed periodic. By modelling the time evolution of the reversal frequency, we find a dominant frequency corresponding to a period of ∼15 Myr. This result represents one of the most persistent long-term periodicities ever reported for a geophysical phenomenon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Stratigraphie (LA 319), Université de Paris VI, Tour 15-16, 4 Place Jussieu, 75230, Paris, Cedex 5, France

    Alain Mazaud

  2. Centre des Faibles Radioactivités, Laboratoire mixte CNRS-CEA, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France

    Carlo Laj & Kenneth L. Verosub

  3. Service de Physique des Solides et Résonance Magnétique, CEN-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, 91191, France

    Laurent de Sèze

  4. Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA

    Kenneth L. Verosub

Authors
  1. Alain Mazaud
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  2. Carlo Laj
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  3. Laurent de Sèze
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  4. Kenneth L. Verosub
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Mazaud, A., Laj, C., de Sèze, L. et al. 15-Myr periodicity in the frequency of geomagnetic reversals since 100 Myr. Nature 304, 328–330 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/304328a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/304328a0

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