Pacific Northwest Paleomagnetism Laboratory

Established in 1970, this laboratory has produced many of the important contributions to our understanding of the tectonic history of the Pacific Northwest. During 1997-1998 a major upgrade of the laboratory, funded by Western Washington University and the National Science Foundation, installed new equipment that is allowing this lab to continue to provide a world-class facility to students at Western who wish to pursue paleomagnetic research projects, and to regional and international visitors. We have avoided the use of automated sample holders and demagnetizers in order to focus our efforts on obtaining the best possible results from each sample. Our aim is to be like a paleomagnetic micro-brewery, with emphasis on high quality, not quantity, studies.

Contact Us

Geology Department , Western Washington University, 516 High St., Bellingham, WA 98225-9080.

Laboratory location: Environmental Studies Building, Rooms 429/429A
Telephone: 360-650-3304
Departmental Fax: 360-650-7302
Email: bernieh(at)wwu.edu

Dr. Luigi Jovane Webmaster
Page Updated 09.22.2011

News & Events:

Luigi Jovane's paper on Rock magnetism of hematitic "bombs" from Araguainha Impact Structure, Brazil is in press in G-Cubed: doi:10.1029/2011GC003758.

Beth Novak's poster for 2011 GSA was on Magnetic fabric analyses of deep-sea sediments: identifying depositional processes at IODP expedition 333 sites C0018 and C0011, Nankai Trough and Shikoku Basin.

Bernie Housen's 2011 GSA poster was on Magnetic properties of particulate matter collected by tree leaves in Bellingham, WA.

Rachel Dunham's paper on Geometry, microstructures, and magnetic fabrics of kink bands in the Darrington Phyllite was published by the Journal of Structural Geology doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2011.08.010.

Bernie Housen was appointed co-editor of GSA-Today, effective July 2010.

Bernie Housen assumed department chair duties July 2010.

Sadie Belica finished a senior thesis project on magnetic leaves June 2010.

Luigi Jovane joined the IODP Expedition 325 to the Great Barrier Reef February 2010.