Paleomagnetic excursion recorded in latest Pleistocene deep-sea sediments, Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Paleomagnetic and/or micropaleontological studies have been carried out on approximately 28 sedimentary cores of latest Pleistocene age from the Gulf of Mexico. Sedimentation rates range from 9 cm to 20 cm/1000 yr. A distinct excursion in the earth's magnetic field occurs in the upper parts of 8 of 15 cores for which paleomagnetic studies were conducted and is independently correlated with planktonic foraminiferal zones. An inclination change to zero or negative inclination is often associated with a declination change. The age of the excursion was determined by extrapolation of sedimentation rates from the Z-Y paleontological boundary which is dated at 11,000 B.P. The magnetic excursion occurred between 12,500 and 17,000 yr ago within the upper part of zone Y . This falls within the age range of the Laschamp Event as originally defined.