The palaeomagnetism and magnetic fabric of sediments from Peak Cavern, Derbyshire

This paper describes the magnetic remanence and susceptibility anisotropy of 42 samples of laminated clay from Peak Cavern. The sediments are shown to have acquired a stable remanent magnetization due to the depositional alignment of magnetite grains. The magnetic fabric data confirm the existence of alteration within a reddened surface layer. A record of geomagnetic secular variation in the underlying clay is compared to a dated lake sediment magnetostratigraphy to suggest that deposition occurred around 7000 yr bp. A method for estimating water current directions based on the remanence and magnetic fabric data is critically assessed before deducing the sense of palaeoflow in the cave.