Navajo Sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronology
Abstract This study investigates iron oxide concretions from the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone in Utah as potential recorders of long-term magnetic field variations. Using a combination of alternating field and thermal demagnetization, physical abrasion, chemical analysis, and magnetic modeling, we reve...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88029-w |
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| author | Lucie Smrcinova Gunther Kletetschka |
| author_facet | Lucie Smrcinova Gunther Kletetschka |
| author_sort | Lucie Smrcinova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study investigates iron oxide concretions from the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone in Utah as potential recorders of long-term magnetic field variations. Using a combination of alternating field and thermal demagnetization, physical abrasion, chemical analysis, and magnetic modeling, we reveal multiple magnetic components with contrasting directions within individual concretions. Finite Element Magnetic Modelling demonstrates the sensitivity of magnetic signatures to small changes in layer thickness. X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry confirms high iron concentrations in concretion crusts. Our results support a two-stage formation model involving initial iron hydroxide precipitation followed by progressive transformation to hematite. This extended formation process suggests these concretions may record paleomagnetic field changes, though their reliability as magnetic recorders need to be verified in more details. The identification of both goethite and hematite phases, coupled with their distinct magnetic behaviors, has implications for understanding similar concretionary structures observed on Mars. However, environmental differences between terrestrial and Martian settings require careful consideration when making such comparisons. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d215c437334a4278bbbc9a6317ff77d4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-d215c437334a4278bbbc9a6317ff77d42025-02-09T12:36:38ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-88029-wNavajo Sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronologyLucie Smrcinova0Gunther Kletetschka1Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityFaculty of Science, Charles UniversityAbstract This study investigates iron oxide concretions from the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone in Utah as potential recorders of long-term magnetic field variations. Using a combination of alternating field and thermal demagnetization, physical abrasion, chemical analysis, and magnetic modeling, we reveal multiple magnetic components with contrasting directions within individual concretions. Finite Element Magnetic Modelling demonstrates the sensitivity of magnetic signatures to small changes in layer thickness. X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry confirms high iron concentrations in concretion crusts. Our results support a two-stage formation model involving initial iron hydroxide precipitation followed by progressive transformation to hematite. This extended formation process suggests these concretions may record paleomagnetic field changes, though their reliability as magnetic recorders need to be verified in more details. The identification of both goethite and hematite phases, coupled with their distinct magnetic behaviors, has implications for understanding similar concretionary structures observed on Mars. However, environmental differences between terrestrial and Martian settings require careful consideration when making such comparisons.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88029-w |
| spellingShingle | Lucie Smrcinova Gunther Kletetschka Navajo Sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronology Scientific Reports |
| title | Navajo Sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronology |
| title_full | Navajo Sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronology |
| title_fullStr | Navajo Sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Navajo Sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronology |
| title_short | Navajo Sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronology |
| title_sort | navajo sandstone concretions record extended magnetic chronology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88029-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT luciesmrcinova navajosandstoneconcretionsrecordextendedmagneticchronology AT guntherkletetschka navajosandstoneconcretionsrecordextendedmagneticchronology |