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Stripes on a zebra. I would know since I had this same question on an assignment. :)

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What is the pattern of magnetic polarity reversals?

In a geomagnetic reversal, the south and north magnetic poles flip locations. A magnetic pole reversal takes place every 450,000 years on average, but this is not regular. We are way overdue since the last reversal was 780,000 years ago. There is a pattern in the magnetic polarity of basaltic rocks on opposite sides of a mid-ocean ridge. Basalt contains tiny magnetic crystals that point to the location of the north magnetic pole at the time the lava cools. The rocks at the ridge have positive polarity, but on either side of the ridge the polarity is negative, indicating that those lavas cooled when the magnetic field was opposite of what it is today. On either side of the basalt with negative polarity are more rocks with positive polarity. This pattern continues on both sides of the mid-ocean ridge across the ocean basin. The pattern of magnetic polarity is one of the main lines of evidence for seafloor spreading, which is the mechanism for plate tectonics.


Does geomagnetic reversals represent a source of information on the rate of sea-floor spreading?

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.


How do rocks along the central valley of the mid-ocean ridge provide evidence of the sea-floor spreading?

Rocks along the central valley of the mid-ocean ridge show a pattern of alternating polarity, indicating reversals in Earth's magnetic field. This pattern is caused by the cooling of magma at the ridge, locking in the magnetic orientation at the time of solidification. By studying the magnetic properties of these rocks, scientists can determine the rate of sea-floor spreading and the age of the oceanic crust.


How do magnetic bands provide evidence that tectonic plates are moving apart at mid-oceanic ridges?

Through seafloor-spreading as iron rich minerals cool they become magnetized in the direction parallel to the existing magnetic field. As the magnetic fields change direction so will the magnetized minerals, allowing scientists to record each change in the seafloor as it spreads.


Why do earth's magnetic pole reversals provide evidence of plate tectonics?

Iron gains magnetism at a certain temperature known as the curie point. at this point Iron rich minerals align with the magnetic polls. Today Iron minerals have been found in older rocks pointing in a variety of directions and since our polls do not move this provided evidence that the Continents containing those minerals have moved and after lining up these magnetic rocks with others from the same time they all correlate with Continental drift and plate tech-tonics.

Related Questions

What has caused the zebra pattern'' in the rock of the ocean floor?

Caused by changes in earth's magnetic field over time, especially reversals of the magnetic poles.


What has cause the zebra pattern in the rock of ocean floor?

Caused by changes in earth's magnetic field over time, especially reversals of the magnetic poles.


What has caused the zebra pattern in the rocks of the ocean floor?

Caused by changes in earth's magnetic field over time, especially reversals of the magnetic poles.


Why was the pattern of a alternating reversals of earth's magnetic fields?

The alternating reversals of Earth's magnetic fields are caused by changes in the flow of molten iron within the outer core of the planet. These changes lead to the creation of new magnetic field lines that may be oriented in the opposite direction, resulting in a reversal of the overall magnetic field. The exact mechanisms that trigger these reversals are still not fully understood by scientists.


Do you see any pattern in how often Earth's magnetic field reverses Give reasons for your answer.?

Earth's magnetic field has undergone numerous reversals in the past, with no specific pattern in terms of timing. Reversals typically occur every few hundred thousand years but the intervals between them can vary greatly. The mechanism behind these reversals is not fully understood, making it difficult to predict when the next reversal might occur.


What causes the magnetic striping noticed about the mid 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.


What was the theory proposed by Henry Hess was supported with?

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.


What is the pattern of magnetic polarity reversals?

In a geomagnetic reversal, the south and north magnetic poles flip locations. A magnetic pole reversal takes place every 450,000 years on average, but this is not regular. We are way overdue since the last reversal was 780,000 years ago. There is a pattern in the magnetic polarity of basaltic rocks on opposite sides of a mid-ocean ridge. Basalt contains tiny magnetic crystals that point to the location of the north magnetic pole at the time the lava cools. The rocks at the ridge have positive polarity, but on either side of the ridge the polarity is negative, indicating that those lavas cooled when the magnetic field was opposite of what it is today. On either side of the basalt with negative polarity are more rocks with positive polarity. This pattern continues on both sides of the mid-ocean ridge across the ocean basin. The pattern of magnetic polarity is one of the main lines of evidence for seafloor spreading, which is the mechanism for plate tectonics.


What are three characteristics of magnetic reversals?

In the past, the polarity of the Earth's magnetic field has reversed, many times over. This was discovered in samples of the rocks of the ocean floor at mid-ocean ridges, where matching patterns of magnetic polarity were discovered on each side of the mid ocean ridge. It is believed that the magnetic field is caused by electrical currents in the Earth's interior. [We know that the interior is too hot to sustain the magnetism of a bar magnet. As proved by the Curie's.] If these currents circulate parallel to the equator, then they would be pretty stable. but we know that the poles are moving. This may indicate that the path of electrical conduction is not a simple circle. We just have to wait. The earth's magnetic field is caused by the effect of the Earth's rotation on the liquid iron core. This field occasionally flips so that the direction that was magnetic north becomes magnetic south and what was magnetic south becomes magnetic north. This is called a magnetic reversal and these reversals can be detected in Earth's lava rocks which lock in the direction of the current field when they cool and solidify. Earth's magnetic field flips about once every 100 thousand years. The Sun goes through similar magnetic reversal cycles but on the Sun the reversals happen about once every 11 years. Please see the related link for more information.


How often do the magnetic field reverse?

The Earth's magnetic field has reversed numerous times throughout its history, with intervals ranging from tens of thousands to millions of years. The frequency of reversals is not constant, so there is no fixed pattern to predict when the next reversal will occur.


What has casued the zebra pattern in the rock of the ocean floor?

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.


Does geomagnetic reversals represent a source of information on the rate of sea-floor spreading?

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.