Thellier-Thellier Paleointensity of the Lunar Core Dynamo

Abstract:

A number of paleomagnetic studies based on Alternating Field (AF) demagnetization of lunar samples have recently shown that the Moon had a dynamo magnetic field of several tens of μT at 4.2 Ga, 3.72 Ga, 3.56 Ga, and that the field had declined to below a few μT by 3.2 Ga. Although uncertainties associated with AF-derived paleointensity estimates are up to a factor of 3, these values are too high to be explained by current lunar dynamo models: based on estimates of the power available to drive a dynamo in the early history of the Moon, it is expected that the field intensity should have been of the order of a few μT. Thermal demagnetization-based techniques such as the Thellier-Thellier paleointensity method have much lower uncertainties on the paleofield, but attempts have consistently failed due to alteration of the metal-bearing lunar samples when heated. We have recently designed the first system to conduct thermal demagnetization with oxygen fugacity control using mixtures of H₂ and CO₂to mitigate alteration. We are applying this method to the following lunar samples:

- Regolith breccia 15498. Impact melt from this breccia acquired a magnetization at 1.0-1.3 Ga. We conducted a Thellier-Thellier paleointensity experiment in a controlled atmosphere with oxygen fugacity at IW-1 log(atm). pTRM checks indicate that alteration is negligible up to 500°C. A paleointensity of 3.2 μT is obtained for the origin-trending high-temperature (>250°C) component. This is consistent with estimates based on AF-demagnetization data.

- Troctolite 76535. A single plagioclase crystal from 4.2 Gyr-old troctolite 76535 was thermally demagnetized in a controlled atmosphere with oxygen fugacity at IW-1 log(atm). The synchrotron transmission X-ray microscopy and hysteresis parameters show that the major magnetization carriers are fine-grained pseudo-single domain metal inclusions. Due to the small size and weak magnetization of the sample (natural remanent magnetization (NRM) ~5x10^-12 Am²), measurements are performed with a SQUID microscope. The NRM is stable in direction and intensity up to 450°C, and rapidly decays between 450°C and 550°C. Partial TRM (pTRM) acquisitions were performed at 450°C and 550°C. Based on this limited data, a paleofield of at least 45 μT is obtained, which is consistent with estimates given by AF methods.