The magnetics laboratory, managed by Dr Ellen Platzman , in the Department of Geological Sciences, University College London has  state of the art equipment for the purpose of examining magnetic properties in natural systems.

FACILITIES

 The laboratory equipment comprises of:

• CCL 3-axis superconducting cryogenic magnetometer for analysing the inclination and declination of remanent magnetization;
• Geofizika JR-5A high sensitivity spinner magnetometer with a capability of measuring intensities as low as 2.4 µA/m;
• Molespin spinner magnetometer
• Top of the range ASC thermal demagnetizer with a capacity of up to 48 samples and a full length axial coil for applying magnetic fields;
• Detech Alternating field demagnetizer that reaches 2,000 Oe peak field, has built-in partial ARM and normal ARM, accommodates multiple samples and runs under software control;
• Molespin tumbling AF demagnetizer
• High sensitivity (KLY-2) susceptibility bridge with low and high temperature attachments suitable for magnetic properties studies as well as petrofabric and rock fabric analyses;
• Impulse magnetizer for isothermal remanent acquisition studies.

APPLICATIONS

 This setup is ideal for wide-ranging interdisciplinary projects and we are currently initiating and pursuing projects in a number of the following areas.
 
 

• Tectonic Studies are aimed at deciphering both the large scale motion of the lithospheric plates and the kinematics of deformation in zones of distributed deformation along plate boundaries. At present the laboratory has a strong commitment to projects that combine palaeomagnetic studies with structural analysis to examine the nature and distribution of deformation in the non-rigid zones adjacent to plate boundaries. This year we have a new NERC-funded PhD student, Lena Taylor, co-supervised by Professor John Platt and Dr. Ellen Platzman. She is working in external Hellenides of western Greece looking at the spatial variation and timing of displacement, strain, and vertical-axis rotations in an obliquely convergent thrust system. We currently have additional tectonic projects in eastern Borneo and in the Betic Cordillera of southern Spain.
   

• Rock Fabric Studies examine magnetic anisotropy in rocks that have been deformed either in the laboratory or as a result of natural processes as well as in undeformed rocks that have primary depositional fabrics. In this area we currently have a project that combines the facilities of the Rock and Ice Physics Laboratory with the Palaeomagnetics Laboratory to look at changes in pore fabric morphology in response to deformation. .
   

• Magnetostratigraphic Studies use rock and palaeomagnetic data as a stratigraphic tool to date a wide range of geologic processes, to determine sedimentation rates, to cross-calibrate and revise time scales and to examine cyclical processes. At present we do not have any projects in this area but the Research School has a large number of faculty who are interested in problems of correlation and stratigraphy and projects are certain to develop in the future.
   

• Environmental Change Studies use the magnetic properties of sediments where the transport deposition and transformation of their magnetic components has been influenced by environmental processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. In this area we currently have a  number of joint research ventures with Dr. Mark Maslin in the Environmental Change Research Center in the Geography Department within the University of London.  One project examines the role  of the Benguela current upwelling system in controlling the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciation. Another project looks at the  millenial-scale climate change history of the Amazon Basin and its control on the structure of the Amazon Fan.
   

• Petrophysical Studies of sandstone reservior bodies can be accomplished by using magnetic ferrofluids as a rapid means of determining quantitative information on the three dimensional pore structure. This type of study is of great interest to the Petroleum Industry. We currently have a NERC funded student, Philip Benson, co-supervised by Professor Philip Meredith and Professor Roy White who is looking at the anisotropy of the crust.
   

• Archaeological Studies examining anthropogenic influences on the magnetic properties of soils and very young sediments are being conducted in collaboration with English Heritage . In this area we have one PhD student, Neil Linford, who thesis examines the application of magnetic modeling techniques to the analysis of archaeological sediments and prediction of surface magnetic anomalies.
   

   

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Last updated 15th October 2001
e.platzman@ucl.ac.uk