| First, I analyze the spectra and skewness of vector aeromagnetic anomaly profiles in the eastern equatorial Pacific to identify the Vine-Matthews magnetic anomaly sequence along the equator. Second, I estimate the skewness of 257 crossings of anomaly 12R (30.939–33.058 Ma) on magnetic profiles collected from ships and planes above the Pacific plate, and I use the skewness estimates to find a 32 Ma paleomagnetic pole for the Pacific plate (81.391°N, 73.142°E) and anomalous skewness (8.46° ± 3.17°). I use the pole to estimate the rate of motion of the Pacific plate and the timing and rate of the southward drift of the Hawaiian hotspot. Third, I estimate the skewness of 51 Nazca plate and 15 Antarctic plate crossings of anomaly 12R on magnetic profiles. I use those estimates to determine anomalous skewness and compare the observed and model values of anomalous skewness for anomaly 12R in the Pacific. |
