Paleomagnetic correlations of paleosols on San Salvador Island, Bahamas

Paleomagnetism appears to be an effective technique for stratigraphic correlations of paleosols on San Salvador Island. Horizontally layered paleosols on San Salvador yield good single magnetotype directions. However, previous work shows two different paleomagnetic directions from dissolution pit paleosols at Barker's Point. New samples were collected from Barker's Point and a geologically similar area at Rocky Point to study the nature of paleosol filled dissolution epikarst pits.; At Rocky Point locality, two pockets yield statistical similarities with Fernandez Bay magnetotype, suggesting that Grotto Beach Formation rocks underlie the paleosol. Data from Barker's Point show that all three magnetotypes are present at this locality, indicating that multiple paleomagnetic directions may be recorded from a single epikarst dissolution pit horizon. Therefore, paleomagnetic data from dissolution pit paleosols should be considered with caution.