GEOMAGNETIC PALAEOINTENSITIES DURING THE CRETACEOUS NORMAL SUPERCHRONMEASURED USING SUBMARINE BASALTIC GLASS

High-quality palaeointensity data have been obtained from Thellier-The llier experiments on recent and Cretaceous submarine basaltic glasses. Whereas the recent samples faithfully yield today's geomagnetic inten sity at the site, the palaeointensities for the beginning and end of t he Cretaceous normal superchron are only 45% and 25%, respectively, of today's value. The data thus extend the 'Mesozoic dipole low' into th e Cretaceous superchron, and confirm that submarine basaltic glass is an excellent material for palaeointensity studies.