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Gauss-Matuyama reversal

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The Gauss/Matuyama Reversal was a geologic event approximately 2.588 million years ago when the Earth's magnetic field underwent reversal.

This event which separates the Piacenzian from the Gelasian and marks the start of the Quaternary[1], is useful in dating sediments.

Biological effects

The event is marked by the extinction of calcareous nannofossils <Discoaster pentaradiatus and D. surculus, among others.

References

  1. ↑ Clague, John et al. (2006) "Open Letter by INQUA Executive Committee" Quaternary Perspective, the INQUA Newsletter International Union for Quaternary Research 16(1):

See also

  • Geomagnetic reversal
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