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As basalt erupts from fissures and vents near the ridge tiny magnetic "domains"of iron-rich minerals like magnetite orient themselves with the magnetic field of the earth; just like little compass needles. When the lava cools the domains are locked in place thus recording the orientation of the magnetic field at the time they cooled.

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Where is Earths magnetic reversals recorded?

Earth's magnetic reversals are recorded in rocks that contain magnetized minerals, such as iron-bearing minerals like magnetite. When these minerals solidify and align with Earth's magnetic field, they preserve a record of the magnetic field at that time. Scientists can study these rocks to determine the timing and duration of past magnetic reversals.


When molten material hardens into the rock on the ocean floor the domains of the iron it contains?

align with Earth's magnetic field, freezing the magnetic orientation of those minerals. This creates a record of the Earth's magnetic field at the time of cooling, which scientists can study to understand past changes in the planet's magnetic field.


What causes paleomagnetic patterns on the seafloor?

Paleomagnetic patterns on the seafloor are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. As the seafloor spreads at mid-ocean ridges, molten rock solidifies to form new crust containing minerals aligned with the Earth's magnetic field. Over time, Earth's magnetic field reverses, leaving a record of these changes in the seafloor's magnetic stripes.


Why does the mineral align with the north?

Minerals align with the north due to their magnetic properties, particularly in the case of magnetite, which contains iron and can be magnetized. When these minerals form, they can capture the Earth's magnetic field direction, aligning themselves with the magnetic poles. This alignment occurs during the cooling of molten rock or sediment deposition, allowing the minerals to retain a record of the Earth's magnetic orientation at that time. As a result, when examined, these minerals can indicate the historical direction of magnetic north.


What is the definition of magnetic reversal?

A magnetic reversal is a process in which Earth's magnetic field flips its orientation, causing the magnetic north and south poles to switch places. These reversals have occurred periodically throughout Earth's history and are recorded in the rock record.

Related Questions

The magnetic record in the rock on the ocean floor depends on when the rock was?

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.


How do rocks get magnetized?

They may contain naturally occurring magnetic minerals.


Where is Earths magnetic reversals recorded?

Earth's magnetic reversals are recorded in rocks that contain magnetized minerals, such as iron-bearing minerals like magnetite. When these minerals solidify and align with Earth's magnetic field, they preserve a record of the magnetic field at that time. Scientists can study these rocks to determine the timing and duration of past magnetic reversals.


When molten material hardens into the rock on the ocean floor the domains of the iron it contains?

align with Earth's magnetic field, freezing the magnetic orientation of those minerals. This creates a record of the Earth's magnetic field at the time of cooling, which scientists can study to understand past changes in the planet's magnetic field.


Describe how the polarity of earth's magnetic field is recorded in the sea-floor?

Magnetic minerals in the Earth's crust align with the planet's magnetic field at the time of their formation. When new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges, these minerals record the direction of the Earth's magnetic field on the sea-floor. This creates alternating stripes of normal and reversed polarity as the sea-floor spreads.


What forms when earths magnetic field changes direction?

When Earth's magnetic field changes direction, it results in a phenomenon known as geomagnetic reversal or magnetic flip. This process involves the magnetic north and south poles switching positions. These reversals have occurred throughout Earth's history and have been recorded in the rock record.


What causes paleomagnetic patterns on the seafloor?

Paleomagnetic patterns on the seafloor are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. As the seafloor spreads at mid-ocean ridges, molten rock solidifies to form new crust containing minerals aligned with the Earth's magnetic field. Over time, Earth's magnetic field reverses, leaving a record of these changes in the seafloor's magnetic stripes.


Does the alluvial conglomerate rock record the magnetic field at the time the rock formed?

Alluvial conglomerate rocks do not typically record the magnetic field at the time of their formation. These types of rocks are formed by the deposition of sediment particles in a river or stream, and their magnetic properties are often overprinted by later geological processes. To study ancient magnetic fields, scientists usually analyze igneous rocks like basalts or volcanic ashes.


How do psychologist record brain activity?

Brain activity can be observed or recorded by means of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). This is much more likely to be done by a neurologist than by a psychologist.


Why does the mineral align with the north?

Minerals align with the north due to their magnetic properties, particularly in the case of magnetite, which contains iron and can be magnetized. When these minerals form, they can capture the Earth's magnetic field direction, aligning themselves with the magnetic poles. This alignment occurs during the cooling of molten rock or sediment deposition, allowing the minerals to retain a record of the Earth's magnetic orientation at that time. As a result, when examined, these minerals can indicate the historical direction of magnetic north.


What is the definition of magnetic reversal?

A magnetic reversal is a process in which Earth's magnetic field flips its orientation, causing the magnetic north and south poles to switch places. These reversals have occurred periodically throughout Earth's history and are recorded in the rock record.


What is the participle of record?

Recorded.