"Stripes" of alternating magnetic field in the basalt rock of the seafloor.
it tugs on the iron pieces in the sand causing ripples.
It indicates that the crust is growing equally over time on either side of a mid-ocean divergent plate boundary. The magnetic orientation indicates the direction of the magnetic pole at the time the rock's magnetic minerals solidified from lava or magma.
Ocean-floor rocks near mid-ocean ridges show a symmetrical pattern of magnetized stripes parallel to the ridge axis. These stripes result from periodic reversals in Earth's magnetic field and provide evidence of seafloor spreading. Sediments on the ocean floor also show younger ages near the ridges, supporting the idea of seafloor spreading.
The magnetic record in the rock on the ocean floor depends on when the rock was formed. When molten rock solidifies, it locks in the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field at that time. This provides a record of past magnetic field reversals and helps in studying the movement of tectonic plates.
As mid ocean ridges create new seafloor over extended periods of time, the magnetic poles of the Earth reverse back and forth. The rocks on either side of a mid ocean ridge show the opposite magnetisms and appear striped. From knowing the approximate ages of these magnetic reversals, one can estimate the approximate age of each stripe.
it tugs on the iron pieces in the sand causing ripples.
it tugs on the iron pieces in the sand causing ripples.
Caused by changes in earth's magnetic field over time, especially reversals of the magnetic poles.
Caused by changes in earth's magnetic field over time, especially reversals of the magnetic poles.
Caused by changes in earth's magnetic field over time, especially reversals of the magnetic poles.
it tugs on the iron pieces in the sand causing ripples.
The direction of the Earth's magnetic field has reversed several times during its history. This causes the North magnetic pole to become a South magnetic pole and vice versa. We know this because of the direction of magnetism in the rocks on the ocean floor, which alternates in 'stripes' on either side of the mid-ocean ridges.
Reversals of the Earth's magnetic field were first discovered through studies of magnetized minerals in rocks that record the orientation of the ancient magnetic field. By examining these rocks, scientists found patterns of magnetic stripes on the ocean floor that indicated periods of magnetic field reversals over Earth's history. These findings were further supported by evidence from deep-sea sediment cores and volcanic rocks.
Scientists found evidence of magnetic stripes on the ocean floor, which indicated periodic reversals in Earth's magnetic field. This discovery helped support the theory of plate tectonics and seafloor spreading.
It indicates that the crust is growing equally over time on either side of a mid-ocean divergent plate boundary. The magnetic orientation indicates the direction of the magnetic pole at the time the rock's magnetic minerals solidified from lava or magma.
Henry Hess proposed the theory of seafloor spreading, which suggested that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and then moves away from the ridge. This theory was supported by evidence such as magnetic stripes on the ocean floor, showing a pattern of reversals in Earth's magnetic field.
A long time since my degree but I believe the orientation of minerals in the rocks either side of the mid ocean ridge, which regularly invert due to polar reversals, are mirrored confirming that the ridge is opening / the sea floor is spreading.