Non-destructive bulk remanent magnetization measurement from outcrop magnetic field mapping

We investigate a profile survey technique to estimate bulk remanent magnetization of sharp-edged magnetization outcrops. Two profiles of different orientation are required to estimate magnetization direction from TMI data. Alternatively, magnetization direction can be estimated from a single multi-component profile measured using a three-component fluxgate (vector) magnetometer. This survey methodology provides estimates of resultant (induced plus remanent) magnetization direction from a much larger volume than a typical collection of 10 to 20 palaeomagnetic plugs and can be used in archaeological studies for which drilling or block sampling to recover palaeomagnetic plugs would not be permissible.