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When rocks are formed, usually from lava flows, the magnetic orientation of them is set as they solidify. As these rocks are affected by continental drift and other factors such as earthquakes, the original magnetic orientation remains.

Using the known strengths of the earth's magnetic field over time, it is possible to then tell where these rocks originally emerged.

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Related Questions

How can the magnetic orientation of rocks be used to trace the way a continent moved as it drifted?

The magnetic orientation of rocks can be used to track the movement of continents by recording the direction and intensity of Earth's magnetic field at the time the rocks formed. When rocks solidify, they lock in the orientation of Earth's magnetic field. By comparing the magnetic orientation of rocks from different locations, geologists can determine how the continents have drifted over time.


What happens to the magnetic orientation of rocks as the poles reverse?

During a magnetic pole reversal, the magnetic orientation of rocks changes to align with the new orientation of the Earth's magnetic field. This means that the magnetization of rocks will also reverse during a geomagnetic field reversal event.


What happens to the magnetic orientation of rocks as the poles?

There is nothing -_-


How is the orientation of Earth's magnetism recorded in rocks on the ocean floor?

Earths magnetic orientation is locked into the rock when the rock cools


What happen to the magnetic orientation of rocks as the poles reverse?

There is nothing -_-


What happens to the magnetic orientation of rocks as the pole reverse?

There is nothing -_-


What happened to the magnetic orientation of rocks as the poles reversed?

There is nothing -_-


How do scientist know when magnetic reversal happens?

Scientists can identify when a magnetic reversal happened by studying the magnetic orientation of rocks. This is possible because magnetic minerals in rocks align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field at the time the rock forms. By analyzing the orientation of these minerals in ancient rocks, scientists can determine when a magnetic reversal occurred.


How is the orientation of earths magnetism recorded in rocks on the?

Earth's magnetic orientation is locked into the rock when the rock cools


Because of the property of paleomagnetism?

Paleomagnetism is the study of the Earth's magnetic field as recorded in rocks. When rocks form, they can lock in the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field at that time. By studying the magnetic orientation of rocks, scientists can determine the past positions of the Earth's magnetic poles, aiding in understanding continental drift and plate tectonics.


What happenes to the magnetic orientation of rock as the poles reverse?

There is nothing -_-


How is the orientation of earths magnetics recorded in the rocks on the ocean?

Earths magnetic orientation is locked into the rock when the rock cools