A Geographical Relation Between Geomagnetic Variation Anomalies and Tectonics

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Law, L. K., Riddihough, R. P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1971
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Arctic; Iceland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e71-095; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e71-095

A world review of the available geomagnetic variation data, with a standardized presentation of results from North America and Europe, shows that there is a geographical relation between inland geomagnetic variation anomalies and tectonic features. Particularly evident in North America is a correlation between anomalies and the edge of the stable craton. Other anomalies are situated along fold belts (eastern Canadian Arctic) and rift-fault zones (Rhine Graben, Iceland). With the exception of that in Japan, all reported anomalies are shown to occur within these three tectonic categories. In terms of plate theory, these categories and the island arc system related to Japan are characteristic of past or present plate boundary zones. A close association between plate margins and geomagnetic variation anomalies is thus implied.