thermoremanence
/ˌθɜːrmoʊˈrɛmənəns/
noun
- The property of a material, especially a rock or mineral, to retain a record of the Earth's magnetic field after being heated and then cooled.
- Scientists study thermoremanence in ancient lava flows to learn about the history of Earth's magnetic field.
- When the volcanic rock cooled, it acquired thermoremanence that preserved the magnetic orientation of that time.
- The thermoremanence of the clay pottery helped archaeologists date the site.