The pattern is caused by the magnetic alignment of certain iron minerals in solidifying magma with Earth's magnetic field at the time of the magma's solidification. Earth's magnetic field has not been static over geologic time, and its shifts are recorded in the igneous rock produced at the Mid-Atlantic ridge.
parallel to and symmetric about ocean ridges
These "stripes" formed the pattern known as magnetic striping. ... They hypothesized that the magnetic striping was produced from the generation of magma at mid-ocean ridges during alternating periods of normal and reversed magnetism by the magnetic reversals of the Earth's magnetic field.
Magnetic stripes can be seen as you move away from ocean ridges.
the magnetic pattern on the sea floor
It's formed in magma before it is oozed up through the ocean floor at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. While it is still liquid, the iron molecules in the lava can orient themselves along the magnetic lines of force that envelope the earth.
Stripes on a zebra. I would know since I had this same question on an assignment. :)
It was formed when there was linear gap formed below at the ocean floor... So when the hot magma came out from it, it began to cool and solidify forming mid atlantic ridges
It was formed when there was linear gap formed below at the ocean floor... So when the hot magma came out from it, it began to cool and solidify forming mid atlantic ridges
Earth's magnetic field reverses over time; the changes show that seafloor has taken place over time.
The pattern only appears in images of magnetic field intensity, not really visible. Caused by changes in Earth's magnetic field over time especially reversals of the magnetic poles. "Stripes" represents different ages of rocks as they spread from mid-ocean ridges. Magnetic properties of lavas are set when they cool down and minerals such as magnetite crystallize.
mid Atlantic ridges
According to scientists, the process associated with seafloor spreading is responsible for the formation of the mid Atlantic ridges rift valley.