RUI: Determination of Absolute Paleointensity Using a Multi-Specimen Procedure

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The work involves a new approach for the determination of absolute magnetic paleointensity. Principally, the method deviates from that of the classical Thellier approach in that not one, but several sub-samples are utilized per determination. Each specimen is heated only twice to an individually-assigned temperature. Thus, the primary advantage of the method over the Thellier is that progressive physicochemical alteration due to serial heatings is held to a minimum. Indeed, an initial study utilizing the new method suggests that it can furnish reliable results when the Thellier approach may fail. As has been the case with past research in Undergraduate Institution (RUI) grants, the project will be assisted by several undergraduate physics majors. Past experience has shown that the majority of students which have assisted in paleomagnetic projects at Cal Poly successfully continue their academic careers at graduate institutions in geophysics or physics.