Rock Magnetics & Provenance

Magnetic Mineralogy

Magnetic mineralogy is a method to determine the composition of the grains that are contributing to the magnetic signatures. It provides important information on the redox state of Fe-,minerals, something lacking from our elemental services. As such, it can provide important information on reducing versus oxidising depositional conditions.

Magnetic Mineral Inclusion Provenance Analysis (MMIPA) is a provenance tool that potentially provides highly sensitive indications of provenance. Chemostrat in association with Mark Hounslow at Lancaster University are currently continued research in developing this service.

Magnetic Susceptibility

Magnetic susceptibility measures how susceptible a sediment is to accepting a magnetic field. It falls into two categories, isotropic magnetic susceptibility (normally referred to as MS) and anisotropic magnetic susceptibility (AMS).

By measuring AMS information on palaeocurrent direction in fluvial sediments and turbidites can be acquired. It can also be used to determine flow direction in mudrock, a service the Chemostrat and Mark Hounslow are currently working on as an additional tool for shale resource studies.