use of magnetic measurements in interpreting the fire histories of lake drainage basins

The magnetic parameters S.I.R.M. and magnetic susceptibility have been used to try and establish the fire histories of lake drainage basins. The technique is demonstrated using sediments from three lakes: Llyn Bychan (N. Wales), a lake with a recently burnt catchment, Lake Biscarrosse (S.W. France), a lake with a well documented fire history, and Lake Laukunlampi (E. Finland), a lake with laminated sediments and a long, but unknown fire history.