Abstract The Bengal Fan is the largest submarine fan on Earth with a complex submarine channel system. Therefore, it is challenging to understand the evolution of Bengal Fan sediment source‐to‐sink processes. Here we present a synthesis of high‐resolution environmental magnetic records of five sediment cores from the central and lower Bengal Fan to reconstruct sedimentation history for the past 45 ka. Rock magnetic measurements and electron microscopic analyses reveal that detrital (titano)magnetites are the dominant magnetic minerals in the central fan sediments, while lower fan deposits exhibit enhanced magnetofossil contribution. During the last three marine isotope stages, glacial periods have increased detrital magnetic mineral concentration and grain size compared with interglacial periods. This increase is primarily attributed to the weakening of the Indian summer monsoon. Spatially, magnetic mineral concentration and grain size show decreasing trends from north to south and from east to west in the Bengal Fan, which may be modulated by submarine channel shifts. Deposition center migration driven by sea level fluctuations and sediment provenance variations were key factors controlling magnetic mineral concentration and grain size. Therefore, magnetic proxies serve as sensitive indicators of sedimentation patterns within the Bengal Fan. The spatiotemporal distribution of magnetic particles provides valuable insights into the source‐to‐sink dynamics and the dominant factors affecting sediment transportation in global submarine fans.

Seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits in different geological settings can have variable magnetic mineralogy, but the mechanism and implications of their spatiotemporal diversity are poorly understood. Based on seabed shallow drilling and surficial sampling of the Yuhuang hydrothermal field, Southwest Indian Ridge, we investigate here whether ubiquitous oxidative weathering affects the magnetic properties of SMS deposits. Microscopic observation and ferrous iron concentrations reveal that seafloor SMS deposits are extensively oxidized; subseafloor SMS deposits are relatively fresh, but oxidation initiates immediately after sample recovery. Negative frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility likely due to measurement eddy currents is observed for fresh samples but not for oxidized ones, which suggests that oxidative weathering reduces the electromagnetic detectability of SMS deposits in geophysical investigations. Pyrrhotite (and probably other magnetic iron sulfide minerals), magnetite, and hematite are recognized as dominating magnetic (ferromagnetic, sensu lato) minerals in SMS deposits. Electron and quantum diamond microscope observations reveal pyrrhotite mineralization from high-temperature reducing hydrothermal fluids, while iron-oxides are mostly oxidation products of primary sulfides. Oxidative weathering modifies paleomagnetic records of SMS deposits. Bulk magnetic parameters vary systematically with enhanced oxidation degree. Temperature-dependent magnetic measurements are useful tools for distinguishing the oxidation state of SMS deposits. Overall, these findings explain magnetic mineral variability in SMS deposits, linking mineral magnetic properties with seafloor geophysical investigations. Mineral magnetism can also be a redox state proxy for tracing natural and artificial environmental fluctuations in seafloor hydrothermal fields, inspiring novel interdisciplinary research to understand interactions in the dynamic Earth System.

Detachment faults at slow- and ultraslow-spreading mid-ocean ridges are essential for lithosphere-hydrosphere interactions. However, their coupling with subseafloor hydrothermal circulation is poorly understood. Here, we investigated shallow hydrothermal fluid circulations in the active Dragon Horn detachment fault system of the Southwest Indian Ridge using combined near-bottom magnetic anomaly data and rock magnetic analyses. We observed enhanced magnetic anomalies related to the high magnetization of basaltic country rocks and highly serpentinized (>80%) peridotite, whereas the hydrothermally altered basalts and sulfide deposits had weak magnetization and reduced magnetic anomalies. Therefore, the low-magnetization zone was interpreted as a proxy for the hydrothermal fluid channel. The spatial distribution of the low-magnetization zone revealed that the inactive Suye field expanded more than 500 m in diameter horizontally and similar to 100 m vertically, and the active Longqi hydrothermal field had a >1 km fluid channel, both centered around the detachment fault fracture zone. Our results establish a robust link between detachment faulting and shallow hydrothermal circulation in which the detachment fault system provides critical fluid paths. Therefore, detachment tectonics are important elements for evolving seafloor hydrothermal fields along the Southwest Indian Ridge and possibly other slow- and ultraslow-spreading mid-ocean ridges globally.

Submarine fan sediments are essential archives for understanding the interaction between continental weathering and climate change, but decoding multiple geological and environmental factors in such highly dynamic sedimentary environments is challenging. Here we present a high-resolution magnetic mineral record spanning the past 40 ka from the central Bengal Fan. Comprehensive rock magnetic and electron microscopic analyses are conducted to understand the origins of different magnetic mineral components in response to sedimentary and paleoclimate processes. Detrital magnetite and titanomagnetite are the dominant magnetic minerals in Bengal Fan sediments, whose abundance and grain size are primarily controlled by eustatic sea-level change. Increased Himalaya terrestrial input during Heinrich events is documented during sea-level low stand, but magnetic mineral variations and climate events are decoupled due to enhanced Indian hemipelagic sediment input since the last deglaciation sea-level rise. In addition, we identify an enriched biogenic magnetite layer near the Fe-redox boundary in the studied Bengal Fan sediment core, possibly related to relatively mild postdepositional diagenesis. Massive detrital inputs in the submarine fan sediments dilute the contribution of biogenic magnetite to the bulk magnetic record. Our results contribute to an integrated source-to-sink understanding of magnetic mineral components in continental margin submarine fans, which helps to construct multiproxy Quaternary paleoclimate and paleogeography records in typical submarine fan deposits.

The rock magnetic data sets in "Coupled detachment faulting and hydrothermal circulation at 49.7°E Southwest Indian Ridge revealed by seafloor magnetism" was studied, including the density, magnetic susceptibility, NRM, Q ratio and other parameters of rock samples , as well as the thermomagnetic curves, hysteresis loops, FORCs, AF and TD demagnetization.

Abstract Multipolarity remanence in greigite‐bearing sediments has long been recognized, but the cause of this anomalous remanence behavior is not well understood. Here, we use electron microscopic and magnetic analyses to investigate the origin of such multipolarity in Miocene greigite‐bearing sediments from the Pannonian Basin (Hungary). We find a magnetic softening and partial transformation of iron sulfides to magnetite and pyrrhotite from “single‐polarity” to “multi‐polarity” samples. The inward alteration of sulfide grains is topotactic and is size‐dependent with higher alteration in smaller grains. We propose a multi‐phase self‐reversal chemical remanent magnetization (CRM) mechanism in altered greigite: the neoformed magnetite/pyrrhotite shell acquires a CRM coupled in the opposite direction to the primary CRM of the greigite core, likely through magnetostatic interactions or interfacial exchange interactions between the closely contacting core and shell. This new greigite self‐reversal model can explain the commonly observed antiparallel polarities and has broad geochronological, tectonic and paleoenvironmental implications.

Reconstructions of ocean oxygenation are critical for understanding the role of respired carbon storage in regulating atmospheric CO 2 . Independent sediment redox proxies are essential to assess such reconstructions. Here, we present a long magnetofossil record from the eastern Indian Ocean in which we observe coeval magnetic hardening and enrichment of larger, more elongated, and less oxidized magnetofossils during glacials compared to interglacials over the last ~900 ka. Our multi-proxy records of redox-sensitive magnetofossils, trace element concentrations, and benthic foraminiferal Δδ 13 C consistently suggest a recurrence of lower O 2 in the glacial Indian Ocean over the last 21 marine isotope stages, as has been reported for the Atlantic and Pacific across the last glaciation. Consistent multi-proxy documentation of this repeated oxygen decline strongly supports the hypothesis that increased Indian Ocean glacial carbon storage played a significant role in atmospheric CO 2 cycling and climate change over recent glacial/interglacial timescales.

Natural samples, such as rocks, sediments or meteorites, often contain complex magnetic mineral populations, which record critical information about various environmental, geological, and geophysical processes. Decomposing isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves into different coercivity components is routinely used in rock magnetic and paleomagnetic studies to understand the constituent magnetic components within natural samples. In this study, we first review the current methods for decomposing IRM curves. Then we introduce a new MATLAB GUI tool BatchUnMix (https: doi. org/10.18170/DVN/RVQGLE) for decomposing IRM curves based on logarithmic Gaussian distributions. Current decomposing tools often require repeatedly adjusting multiple parameter settings with subjective initial guesses and cannot perform batch processing. Our new tool optimizes decomposing strategy, which can automatically assign parameters from predefined parameter ranges. This new tool improves data processing efficiency and objectivity of fitting results. We demonstrate the practicability of this tool by comparing results processed using BatchUnMix and previous methods. Finally, we discuss current problems and limitations of methods for decomposing IRM curves.

Abstract The Ocean Drilling Program Leg 158 drill holes from the Trans‐Atlantic Geotraverse hydrothermal field are investigated to understand the rock magnetic signatures of hydrothermal mineralization. A composite columnar section has been constructed through hole correlation to understand the stratigraphic variation of magnetomineralogy within the stockwork. Isothermal remanent magnetization components unmixing, first‐order reversal curve diagrams, low‐temperature magnetic signatures, and electron microscopic analyses disclose magnetic minerals of disparate occurrences related to predominating hydrothermal mineralization reactions in three broad zones: For basaltic basements, serpentinization of olivine phenocrysts during preliminary hydrothermal alteration produces magnetite, in addition to primary titanomagnetite; Chloritized and silicified zone samples contain relict titanomagnetite and exsolved magnetite that survived hydrothermal dissolution; Anhydrite and sulfide zone samples are dominated by magnetite and hematite, likely from oxidation of polymetallic sulfides due to exposure in oxidative seafloor environments during drilling. Our findings suggest that seafloor oxidation potentially modifies the magnetic properties of polymetallic sulfides in hydrothermal deposits, which applies to magnetic tomography of sophisticated subseafloor vent structures and prospecting seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) deposits therein. Meanwhile, we alert future deep‐sea mining that drilling may promote physicochemical alteration of SMS deposits, causing environmental risks. The established magnetic signatures ultimately contribute to understanding the in situ geological preservation of SMS deposits and optimizing exploitation procedures in the future.

Titanomagnetites in mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) experience variable post crystallization alterations associated with seafloor tectonic and environmental processes. Compared to low‐temperature oxidation, seafloor hydrothermal alteration is thought to be more destructive but its magnetic aftermaths are insufficiently documented. Here we present comprehensive rock magnetic and electron microscopic analyses of fresh and hydrothermally‐altered MORBs dredged from the Longqi and Yuhuang hydrothermal fields, Southwest Indian Ridge. We observe large variations in magnetic properties of fresh MORBs, originated from relative proportions of nano‐scale single‐domain to vortex state and micron‐scale vortex to multi‐domain state dendritic titanomagnetites. Progressive hydrothermal alteration produces secondary magnetite through recrystallization of exsolved and dissolved Fe from primary titanomagnetite. Exsolution is evident by a dual Verwey transition signature and coexisting Ti‐poor titanomagnetites and sphenes in partially chloritized basalts. A schematic model is proposed to explain the variations in magnetomineralogy and magnetic properties with progressive hydrothermal alteration. Intermediate hydrothermal alteration products retain a secondary chemical remanent magnetization (CRM) which is related to the long‐term magnetization variations in oceanic basalts. The established framework allows characterizing MORB hydrothermal alteration and ultimately contributes to resolving the complexity of seafloor magnetism.

SUMMARY Quasi-linear field-dependence of remanence provides the foundation for sedimentary relative palaeointensity studies that have been widely used to understand past geomagnetic field behaviour and to date sedimentary sequences. Flocculation models are often called upon to explain this field dependence and the lower palaeomagnetic recording efficiency of sediments. Several recent studies have demonstrated that magnetic-mineral inclusions embedded within larger non-magnetic host silicates are abundant in sedimentary records, and that they can potentially provide another simple explanation for the quasi-linear field dependence. In order to understand how magnetic inclusion-rich detrital particles acquire sedimentary remanence, we carried out depositional remanent magnetization (DRM) experiments on controlled magnetic inclusion-bearing silicate particles (10–50 μm in size) prepared from gabbro and mid-ocean ridge basalt samples. Deposition experiments confirm that the studied large silicate host particles with magnetic mineral inclusions can acquire a DRM with accurate recording of declination. We observe a silicate size-dependent inclination shallowing, whereby larger silicate grains exhibit less inclination shallowing. The studied sized silicate samples do not have distinct populations of spherical or platy particles, so the observed size-dependence inclination shallowing could be explained by a ‘rolling ball’ model whereby larger silicate particles rotate less after depositional settling. We also observe non-linear field-dependent DRM acquisition in Earth-like magnetic fields with DRM behaviour depending strongly on silicate particle size, which could be explained by variable magnetic moments and silicate sizes. Our results provide direct evidence for a potentially widespread mechanism that could contribute to the observed variable recording efficiency and inclination shallowing of sedimentary remanences.

Hydrothermal alteration at high‐temperature vents near mid‐ocean ridge is thought to produce pervasive magnetization lows on basaltic ocean crust, but the detailed alteration process is insufficiently documented. Here, we performed microscopic and magnetic analyses on a large set of hydrothermal‐related basaltic samples from the Southwest Indian Ridge. Fresh basalts were chloritized and brecciated during hydrothermal alteration, where titanomagnetite nanoparticle clusters hosted in interstitial glasses were dissolved in the first order, followed by large micron‐scale dendritic particles. Natural remanent magnetization was reduced from 10 0 –10 1 A/m for fresh basalts to 10 −3 A/m for fully altered basalts. Hydrothermal deposits acquired a chemical remanent magnetization of 10 −2 A/m. Our results link direct magneto‐mineralogical observations to geophysical interpretations, which is important in understanding seafloor hydrothermal circulation and mid‐ocean ridge geodynamics.

Paleomagnetic secular variations in South Asia are not well understood due to insufficient records. In this study, we produce a new paleomagnetic secular variation curve covering the past 40,000 years by stacking four marine sediment records from the middle portion of Bay of Bengal. Age models are based on radiocarbon dating and core correlation. Stepwise alternating field demagnetization was used to isolate the primary remanent component. Rock magnetic measurements indicate that the primary magnetic remanence carriers are single domain and pseudo‐single domain magnetites with no sign of diagenetic alteration. Our Bengal relative paleointensity stack is broadly consistent with local records and the PISO‐1500 relative paleointensity stack (Channell et al., 2009; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2009.03.012). Two geomagnetic excursions presented by paleointensity minima are recognized, which correlate to the Mono Lake (29–32 ka) and Laschamp excursion (38–40 ka), respectively. We conclude that the Mono Lake and Laschamp excursion are two separate events.

We present a comprehensive magnetic mineral analysis of surface sediments from 110 sites in the central Bengal Fan to trace sediment provenance. Multiple magnetic parameters, including magnetic mineralogy, concentration, and grain size were generated. Rock magnetic measurements indicate that the dominant magnetic minerals within the studied sediments are detrital magnetite and titanomagnetite, which is further confirmed directly by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations on magnetic extracts. Fuzzy c-means clustering analysis of magnetic parameters indicates that the study area can be divided into three clusters. Considering the position of 'active valley', we further divide cluster 1 into clusters 1A and 1B. Cluster 1A primarily covers the west side of the 'active valley' with relatively high magnetic concentrations and dominantly coarse-grained magnetic minerals, which likely correspond to basaltic materials derived from the Deccan Plateau. From the Godavari river mouth to the inner Bay of Bengal, magnetic concentration gradually decreases with a fining trend of magnetic grain size. Clusters 1B, 2, and 3 are on the east side of the 'active valley', where magnetic concentration and magnetic grain size decrease with increasing distance to the 'active valley'. Combined with published data in the Indian region and the upper Bengal Fan, we suggest that the main provenances are the Himalayan and the Deccan Plateau, whose contributions to sediment distribution are quantitatively assessed. Our analysis suggests that the position of 'active valley' plays a key role in sediment distribution in the central Bengal Fan, while the effect of ocean currents is negligible.

First‐order reversal curves (FORCs) are nowadays routinely used to assess domain states and magnetostatic interactions of magnetic minerals. While a huge step forward from bulk magnetic measurements in terms of sample characterization, there is a missing link between the FORC diagrams and remanence behavior: FORC diagrams mainly reveal domain states, while remanence behavior is largely controlled by thermal activations. We present a new tool to visualize thermal fluctuations in so‐called time‐asymmetric (TA) FORC diagrams. TA‐FORCs differ from traditional FORCs in that they maintain the reversal field Ha for a longer time (minutes) than the FORC measurement field Hb (milliseconds). During this extended hold time, thermal activations cause some magnetic grains to change their magnetization, giving rise to an upward shift in the FORC diagram. The magnitude of this shift gives insight into the thermoviscous stability of the mineral and its remanence acquisition behavior. This not only allows to distinguish thermoviscous effects in FORC diagrams from magnetostatic (i.e., interactions/domain state related) effects but also provides a way to separate mixtures of magnetic minerals: two minerals with similar coercivity spectra that would totally overlap in traditional FORC diagrams show different upward shifts in TA‐FORC diagrams, which in some cases enable complete separation of the minerals visually. This effectively provides two independent FORC signatures for two magnetic constituents in a sample such as two grain populations of different grain sizes, grain shapes, and/or mineral.