Site 1096 displays a two-part rock-magnetic stratigraphy, with a shift in the magnetic mineral assemblage occurring at 18 mbsf. The assemblage above 18 mbsf consists of magnetite and a second high-coercivity phase. The origin of these particles may be detrital or biogenic. Direct observation of these particles via electron spectroscopy (scanning or transmission electron microscopy) is needed to explore whether some combination of composition (oxide vs. sulfide), oxidation, nonstoichiometry, cation substitution, or high defect concentration is responsible for the high values of HCR. Below 18 mbsf, the assemblage consists of relatively coarser PSD and MD magnetite grains. High-field susceptibility indicates a factor of two dilution of the ferromagnetic particles over the 608-m section (Fig. F4). We find that the recording assemblage is very uniform below 18 mbsf.