Palaeomagnetism of Georgian Plio-Quaternary volcanic provinces (Southern Caucasus): a pilot study

A preliminary palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic study was carried out on 248 Plio-Quaternary lava flows and three interbedded lacustrine sedimentary layers from Georgia (Caucasus). Most samples are characterised by a single palaeomagnetic component, carried by magnetite, as confirmed by susceptibility-temperature curves. Normal, reversed and in a few cases intermediate polarities were recognised. A palaeomagnetic mean direction of D = 6.0 degrees, I = 57.8 degrees, k = 30, alpha (95) = 3.8 degrees was obtained. Considering the three sampled volcanic provinces separately, differences with the expected palaeodeclination are non-significative (Kazbeki and Khzami) or small (Djavakheti). A mean palaeointensity value of 41.5 +/- 11.3 muT, corresponding to a mean VDM of 7.8 +/- 3.7.10(22) A.m(2) is obtained. (C) 2000 Academic des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.