The PI will examine any polarity asymmetry in deep-sea sediment paleomagnetic data from intermediate latitudes (north and south) to determine the actual configuration of the standing non-dipole field. Better characterization of persistent and polarity- dependent non-dipole field components is directly relevant to our understanding of the behavior of the geomagnetic field during polarity transitions, is needed for high resolution plate tectonic and true polar wander studies, and may lend greater insight as to the physical source(s) of field generation.
