Remanent magnetism, or remanence, is the magnetization that persists in a material after an external magnetic field is removed. It arises from the alignment and pinning of magnetic domains, controlled by factors such as crystal anisotropy, domain-wall energetics, and microstructural defects. In rock and mineral systems, remanent magnetism (including thermal, chemical, and depositional remanent magnetization) records the direction and intensity of past geomagnetic fields, enabling quantitative paleomagnetic and tectonic reconstructions. The magnitude and stability of remanent magnetism depend on grain size, composition, temperature history, and time-dependent relaxation processes such as viscous remanent magnetization.
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