On the relationship between paleomagnetic secular variation and excursions – Records from MIS 11 and 12 – ODP Leg 172, western North Atlantic Ocean

This study has developed paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) records from Sites 1060, 1061, 1062, and 1063 (ODP Leg 172) from the western North Atlantic Ocean during MIS 11–12 (374–478 ka). We have identified 46 inclination features and 49 declination features that can be correlated among the records. We have also developed relative paleointensity records and identified 13 paleointensity features that can be correlated among them. These features can also be dated using the oxygen-isotope dated Global relative-paleointensity record PISO-1500 of Channell et al. (2009). There is one excursion located in these four records. We use the name Levantine/Bermuda Excursion developed elsewhere by Ryan (1972) and Channell et al. (2017). The Excursion occurred at 408 ± 4 ka. The excursion is recorded at Sites 1061, 1062, and 1063. The most detailed excursion records occur at Site 1062 where we have both shipboard PSV records and one u-channel PSV record of the excursion. The excursion has two intervals of excursional directions, one short interval (∼I ky) followed by a long interval (∼5 ky). Both intervals have counter-clockwise looping of the excursional directions and the excursion is considered to be a Class I Excursion (Lund et al., 2005). Statistical study of the PSV records after removal of the excursion directions has identified two characteristics of the ‘normal’ PSV. The first feature is a long-term (>10⁴ yrs) deviation in inclination and declination averages from the overall site averages. These deviations suggest some type on long-term memory in the regional dynamo process. The second feature is the variation in PSV angular dispersion (a measure of directional variability). The angular dispersion is quite low (∼12°) for most of the 374–478 ka interval. But, there is a short (∼8 ky) interval with angular dispersion more than double the amplitude (∼25°-30°). This interval has a sharp (<3 ky) onset and termination, This interval contains the Levantine/Bermuda Excursion. Such high-angular dispersion intervals with associated excursions and low paleointensity appear to be regular distinctive features of the Brunhes Chron PSV.