Year: 1980
Type: article
Abstract: The classic, multivariate technique of principal component analysis can be used to find and estimate the directions of lines and planes of best least-squares fit along the demagnetization path of a palaeomagnetic specimen, thereby replacing vector subtraction, remagnetization circles and difference vector paths with one procedure.Eigenvalues from the analysis are the variance of the data along each principal axis, and provide a relative measure of collinearity or coplanarity which may be used to define a general palaeomagnetic precision index.Demagnetization planes found with principal component analysis may be used in place of difference vector paths for locating Hoffman-Day directions, avoiding unnecessary vector subtraction and intensity truncation steps.Two methods are discussed for jointly estimating an average remanence direction from demagnetization lines and planes.
Author: J. L. Kirschvink
Institution: Princeton University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2118204502