Paleomagnetic investigations in deep time present unique opportunities to chart the evolution of solid Earth, from geodynamo to plate tectonics, with additional implications for paleoclimatic and biological evolution. But with these opportunities come unique challenges, such as the limitations in our understanding of Earth’s ancient magnetic field – questioning particularly whether the geodynamo was always primarily dipolar or with strength comparable to modern values – and the styles and rates of ancient continental motions. Querying and testing these core assumptions go hand-in-hand with exploring the fascinating implications of rapidly increasing data acquisition.

Under the umbrella of the IUGS Deep-Time Digital Earth (DDE) program, a three-year Paleomagnetism Working Group has been established to coordinate with affiliated fields (geochronology, geophysics, paleogeography, petrology and geochemistry, stratigraphy, tectonics) in addressing both data curation and scientific integration. We three leaders of this working group propose the Fall AGU Meeting to host our project’s initial gathering, in hopes of attracting the broadest possible participation among AGU members and affiliates. We strive to enhance multidimensional aspects of membership diversity that will build upon our existing broad geographic/international range of perspectives; and we think that AGU provides an ideal platform to achieve that goal.

The session we propose, in the GPE Section of AGU, has primarily a scientific rather than organizational focus, because we aim to attract participants who normally don’t consider themselves as database managers. Contributions by the broadest possible range of researchers who normally generate paleomagnetic data will ensure that the structures created by DDE will be timely and relevant. The proposed topics of our session (geodynamo and plate tectonics) are phrased broadly so as to spark interest across a wide intersection of GPE affiliates.

We strive to promote all three branches of AGU’s strategic goals in our session: (1) catalyze discoveries of deep-time paleomagnetism through rigorous discussions of recent progress and future opportunities, (2) promote and exemplify an inclusive scientific culture as we explicitly seek broad cultural representation in our session (and back that effort with DDE-dedicated funds to support conference travel particularly by under-represented minorities), and (3) coordinate our efforts in the context of our IUGS-based project.