Quality of pTRM acquisition in pyrrhotite bearing contact-metamorphic limestones: possibility of a continuous record of Earth magnetic field variations

The rockmagnetic and palaeomagnetic signal in pyrrhotite bearing limestones of different contact-metamorphic settings were investigated related to intrusions ranging from small sills to large magmatic complexes. Magnetic susceptibility, the pyrrhotite/magnetite ratio and thermal modelling serve as an investigative tool to define three metamorphic zonations: a contact zone of a mixed magnetic assemblage and low susceptibilities, a pyrrhotite bearing transitional zone, where full thermoremanent magnetisations (TRMs) are acquired due to temperatures above the Curie temperature of pyrrhotite (Tc,po), and a marginal zone containing pyrrhotite and magnetite generated at temperatures below Tc,po. The fact that TRMs can consist of independent pTRMs is successfully tested by modified Thellier experiments. It is shown that a metamorphic environment with low fluid circulation provides a scenario for the recording of independent pTRMs. Multicomponent behaviour of the NRM residing in samples from the transitional zone can therefore be interpreted as a continuous record of Earth magnetic field variations.