Furnaces

These furnaces are a core part of Paleomagnetics studies.  Once a sample has been measured for its NRM (Natural Remanent Magnetism) it must be demagnetized in steps.  One technique for doing that is by heating the sample at increasingly higher temperatures.  The reason behind demagnetizing the sample is as follows: after taking an initial magnetization the earth's magnetic field may change in relation to the core or sample's original.  Thus a secondary magnetization can be obtained.  This secondary magnetization is usually equal to the earth's current one.  Since the objective is often to see reversals or wandering of the poles that "overprint" must be eliminated.  Demagnifying the sample allows scientists to see the original or primary magnetization.

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