Characterising the Triassic Palaeomagnetic Field with an Aim to Investigate the Mesozoic Dipole Low.

Palaeomagnetic field behaviour within the Triassic is relatively poorly documented in comparison with other periods from across the last ca 250 Ma. Developing a more complete understanding of the Triassic field has important implications for discussion surrounding the Mesozoic Dipole Low (MDL) and the processes that govern field intensity and reversal regimes. We have conducted the first palaeosecular variation study that incorporates Triassic virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) data, and analysed this data within the context of the average reversal frequency for the period. We observed remarkably similar VGP dispersion patterns from the late Permian, after the Permo-Carboniferous Reversed Superchron, until the onset of the Cretaceous Normal Superchron, despite fluctuating mean reversal rates. We have also completed palaeointensity experiments on samples with a range of lithologies collected from two localities in Argentina as well as pillow basalts from northern Italy. Previously published radiometric ages place our sampled lithologies across all three Triassic epochs, presenting an opportunity to populate the palaeointensity record at multiple ages across the ~50 Ma lacuna. Results were obtained utilizing a range of methods, the IZZI+ thermal Thellier, Shaw, and pseudo-Thellier. Estimates of virtual dipole moment from these experiments will be presented and discussed in the context of their reliability, and importance in better defining the MDL.