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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
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Optimizing Magnetic Force Microscopy Resolution and Sensitivity to Visualize Nanoscale Magnetic Domains
Published on: July 20, 2022
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Magnetic vector tomography reveals giant magnetofossils are optimised for magnetointensity reception
Richard J Harrison1, Jeffrey Neethirajan2, Zhaowen Pei3,4
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Communications Earth & Environment
|October 23, 2025
Summary
Giant magnetofossils may have used magnetite
Area of Science:
- Paleobiology
- Geophysics
- Biomineralization
Background:
- Giant magnetofossils are ancient, micron-sized biogenic magnetite particles.
- Their biological origin and function are unknown; previously hypothesized for mechanical protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that giant magnetofossils exploited magnetic properties for magnetoreception.
- To assess the magnetoreceptive potential of a giant magnetofossil using advanced imaging.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional magnetic vector tomography was employed.
- Analysis focused on the magnetic vortex structure within the magnetofossil.
Main Results:
- A single magnetic vortex was identified within the giant magnetofossil.
- This vortex demonstrated an optimized response to variations in Earth's magnetic field intensity.
Conclusions:
- The magnetic properties suggest a role in magnetoreception for mobile marine organisms.
- This finding sets an upper age limit for navigational magnetoreception and aids the search for extraterrestrial life.
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