Laboratory for Earth Magnetism in Time and Space

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

last updated: March 20, 2025

About the Laboratory

Laboratory for Earth Magnetism in Time and Space

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

@ Section 2.3 Geomagnetism

This Laboratory is part of:

GFZ Research Infrastructure: Large Infrastructure LI
Networks: Geo.X

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Description

The Laboratory for Earth Magnetism in Time and Space deals with magnetostratigraphic dating of paleoclimate archive sand the reconstruction of geomagnetic field variation in the geological past. Therefore, intensity and directions of sedimentary magnetizations are determined. Further, magnetic minerals are characterized by their physical properties, such as coercivity, Curie temperature, grain size, and concentration, as well as by their chemical composition and preservation status.

Instruments

GFZ Split-Core Logger
Magnetic Susceptibility Sensor, Spectrophotometer
Demagnetizer
Magnetic Susceptibility Bridge
Kappabridge, VFSM, Variable Field Susceptibility Meter
Magnetic Susceptibility Sensor
Magnetizer
MAGNETOMETERS measure the Earth's magnetic field intensity.
Magnetometer
Alternating Gradient Magnetometer (AGM)
The variable field translation balance (VFTB) is an instrument for measuring isothermal magnetizations in variable fields (e.g., hysteresis loops) as well as the temperature dependence of the associated magnetic parameters. It is specifically designed to measure the weak magnetizations commonly encountered in rock magnetism. (Source: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4423-6_312)
VFTB - Variable Field Translation Balance
SPECTROPHOTOMETERS are photometers that measure the intensity of radiation as a function of frequency (or wavelength) of the radiation; radiation enters the meter through a slit and is dispersed by means of a prism. (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
Spectrophotometer

Analytical Methods

Demagnetization
Earth Material Properties: Magnetic characteristic of rocks and deposits reflective of the earth's magnetic field at the time of the deposit's formation. (Source: USGS; https://apps.usgs.gov/thesaurus/term-simple.php?thcode=2&code=1676) Laboratory-induced magnetization analysis: Laboratory method to study rocks using magnetometers to measure remanent magnetic fields induced in the samples. (Source: USGS; https://apps.usgs.gov/thesaurus/term-simple.php?thcode=2&code=620) Natural remanent magnetization analysis: Method which measures the intensity and direction of residual magnetism in rocks to determine their age and history. (Source: USGS; https://apps.usgs.gov/thesaurus/term-simple.php?thcode=2&code=771)
Remanent Magnetization
Nondestructive evaluation and location of magnetic materials in rock based on measuring the intensity of attraction of the materials to an induced magnetic field. Applications include geological and soil surveys, paleomagnetic studies, sedimentology, archaeological prospecting and core logging. (Source: USGS: https://apps.usgs.gov/thesaurus/term-simple.php?thcode=2&code=680) Earth Material Properties: Degree to which a rock type or other earth material can acquire and retain the orientation and intensity of an applied magnetic field. (Source: USGS; https://apps.usgs.gov/thesaurus/term-simple.php?thcode=2&code=1742)
Magnetic Susceptibility
VFSM
Mass-Specific Magnetic Susceptibility
MAGNETOMETERS measure the Earth's magnetic field intensity.
Coercivity
Coercive Field, Coercive Force, Magnetic Coercivity
MAGNETOMETERS measure the Earth's magnetic field intensity.
Analysis of rock specimens using the Curie temperature point above which ferromagnetic materials lose permanent magnetism. (Source: USGS; https://apps.usgs.gov/thesaurus/term-simple.php?thcode=2&code=225)
Curie Temperature Analysis
MAGNETOMETERS measure the Earth's magnetic field intensity.
Nondestructive evaluation of ferromagnetic materials. The evaluation is based on measurement of the variation of intensity of magnetization within an applied magnetic field due to changes in the magnetic domain structure of the materials under study. (Source: USGS; Nondestructive evaluation of ferromagnetic materials. The evaluation is based on measurement of the variation of intensity of magnetization within an applied magnetic field due to changes in the magnetic domain structure of the materials under study.)
Magnetic Hysteresis Analysis
The variable field translation balance (VFTB) is an instrument for measuring isothermal magnetizations in variable fields (e.g., hysteresis loops) as well as the temperature dependence of the associated magnetic parameters. It is specifically designed to measure the weak magnetizations commonly encountered in rock magnetism. (Source: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4423-6_312)
Magnetization
Coercivity, Remanence, Saturation Magnetization
Extraction/concentration of a magnetic phase from a non-magnetic matrix using a magnet. (Source: Own description)
Magnetic Extraction

Laboratory Keywords

In addition to the instruments and analytical methods listed above, these keywords help to describe the work done in the laboratory. This may include the type of samples, standard materials, specific preparative or analytical methods and specific instrument characteristics.

Alternating Field Demagnetizer
Cryogenic Long-core Magnetometer
Demagnetization Type AF
Demagnetization Type HF
Fluxgate Magnetometer
Magnetic Susceptibility (Bulk, Anisotropy)
Magnetic Susceptibility High Resolution Surface Scanning Sensor
Multifunction Kappabridge
Paleomagnetic Analysis
Spinnermagnetometer
Spinnermagnetometer with Fluxgate Sensor
Thermal Demagnetizer

Disciplines

Geoscience > Geophysics > Geophysics
Geophysics
Geoscience > Geophysics > Geomagnetism
Geomagnetism
Geoscience > Paleogeosciences > Paleogeoscience
Paleogeoscience

The Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam

Laboratory for Earth Magnetism in Time and Space

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

About the Laboratory

Laboratory for Earth Magnetism in Time and Space

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Description

Instruments

Analytical Methods

Laboratory Keywords

Disciplines

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