answersLogoWhite

0

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

How does magnetic reversals found in the sea floor rocks cause continental drift?

Magnetic reversals found in the sea floor do not cause continental drift. It does however provide evidence that sea floor spreading occurs (and hence is evidence for the theory of plate tectonics). This is because the iron rich minerals in basaltic rocks (such as magnetite) are at high temperatures when they are first intruded into the crust and at these high temperatures they record the orientation of Earth's magnetic field. As they cool, this record of the orientation of the magnetic field is "locked" in place. The Earth's magnetic field is known to "reverse polarity" - the north and south magnetic poles switch over time and so the orientation of the magnetic field in newly cooled rocks will change to match this. Geophysicists had recognised that there were alternating bands of rocks with these reversed orientations of the magnetic field. These bands ran parallel to the Mid-Ocean-Ridges. In the 1960s after significant magnetic survey work was undertaken it was realised that the alternating bands on one side of the oceanic ridge were a mirror image to the bands on the other side. So why is this evidence for sea floor spreading / plate tectonics? Well it was realised that if the newly intruded rock was to move away from the Mid-Ocean-Ridge (M-O-R) and be replaced with new younger rock, this rock would continue to record the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field as and when reversals occurred. As such this would lead to the stripes of alternating magnetic orientation that are symmetrical about the M-O-R. As such movement of the plates away from a M-O-R and the reversals of Earth's magnetic field best explained the presence of these bands and so confirmed the idea that sea floor spreading was occurring. For more information, please see the related link.


Does the earths magnetic field cause the earth to tilt?

No, the Earth's magnetic field does not cause the Earth to tilt. The tilt of the Earth's axis, also known as obliquity, is believed to have been caused by the gravitational influence of other planets during the early formation of the solar system. The Earth's magnetic field is generated by the movement of molten iron in its outer core.


How magneteism is used to support the theory of seafloor spreading?

During the Second World War, linear bands of positive and negative magnetic anomolies were found in the ocean floor, stretching for hundreds of miles, with an almost perfect symmetry either side of mid-ocean ridges. It was realised that these anomalies were evidence of periodic reversals of the earth's magnetic field. Molten basalt had been magnetised in the direction of the field and then cooled to 'fossilise' that direction. Each time the earth's magnetic field reversed, a stripe was added to the 'bar-code'. By dating onshore lava flows where magnetic reversals had occurred, a timescale of magnetic reversals was built up. It then became clear that, in the undersea anomalies, the youngest rocks were near the ridge, while the oldest were farther away and nearest the continents. Either side of the ridge, stripes of exactly the same age could be matched with each other. There was already evidence of continental drift, but this new evidence helped to explain how the earth's crust is moving and how the sea floor is spreading.


How do records of magnetic reversals show that plates move apart?

As the molten material rises and cools, some magnetic minerals line up with the Earth's magnetic field. When the material hardens, the minerals are permanently fixed like tiny compass needles pointing north and south. Whenever the magnetic field reverses, the cooling minerals record the change.


Does earth's magnetic field only affect other planets?

Earth's magnetic field does not only affect other planets. It plays a crucial role in protecting Earth from harmful solar radiation, creating the auroras, and guiding migratory animals. Additionally, it has practical applications in navigation and technology on Earth.

Related Questions

What are Other than earth is also known to have magnetic pole reversals?

Other than Earth, Mars is also known to have experienced magnetic pole reversals in its history. Evidence from the planet's crust suggests that its magnetic field has reversed multiple times over millions of years, similar to Earth's magnetic field reversals.


How do magnetic reversals provide evidence for sea-floor spreading?

The presence of magnetic domains of alternating orientation parallel to the plate boundaries.


How does magnetic reversals found in the sea floor rocks cause continental drift?

Magnetic reversals found in the sea floor do not cause continental drift. It does however provide evidence that sea floor spreading occurs (and hence is evidence for the theory of plate tectonics). This is because the iron rich minerals in basaltic rocks (such as magnetite) are at high temperatures when they are first intruded into the crust and at these high temperatures they record the orientation of Earth's magnetic field. As they cool, this record of the orientation of the magnetic field is "locked" in place. The Earth's magnetic field is known to "reverse polarity" - the north and south magnetic poles switch over time and so the orientation of the magnetic field in newly cooled rocks will change to match this. Geophysicists had recognised that there were alternating bands of rocks with these reversed orientations of the magnetic field. These bands ran parallel to the Mid-Ocean-Ridges. In the 1960s after significant magnetic survey work was undertaken it was realised that the alternating bands on one side of the oceanic ridge were a mirror image to the bands on the other side. So why is this evidence for sea floor spreading / plate tectonics? Well it was realised that if the newly intruded rock was to move away from the Mid-Ocean-Ridge (M-O-R) and be replaced with new younger rock, this rock would continue to record the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field as and when reversals occurred. As such this would lead to the stripes of alternating magnetic orientation that are symmetrical about the M-O-R. As such movement of the plates away from a M-O-R and the reversals of Earth's magnetic field best explained the presence of these bands and so confirmed the idea that sea floor spreading was occurring. For more information, please see the related link.


Does the earths magnetic field cause the earth to tilt?

No, the Earth's magnetic field does not cause the Earth to tilt. The tilt of the Earth's axis, also known as obliquity, is believed to have been caused by the gravitational influence of other planets during the early formation of the solar system. The Earth's magnetic field is generated by the movement of molten iron in its outer core.


How will magnetic minerals align in a rock if earth has no magnetic field?

Assuming there is no Earth magnetic field, and no other significant magnetic fields, they will not allign in any preferred direction.


How magneteism is used to support the theory of seafloor spreading?

During the Second World War, linear bands of positive and negative magnetic anomolies were found in the ocean floor, stretching for hundreds of miles, with an almost perfect symmetry either side of mid-ocean ridges. It was realised that these anomalies were evidence of periodic reversals of the earth's magnetic field. Molten basalt had been magnetised in the direction of the field and then cooled to 'fossilise' that direction. Each time the earth's magnetic field reversed, a stripe was added to the 'bar-code'. By dating onshore lava flows where magnetic reversals had occurred, a timescale of magnetic reversals was built up. It then became clear that, in the undersea anomalies, the youngest rocks were near the ridge, while the oldest were farther away and nearest the continents. Either side of the ridge, stripes of exactly the same age could be matched with each other. There was already evidence of continental drift, but this new evidence helped to explain how the earth's crust is moving and how the sea floor is spreading.


How does a sun flare effect earth and other planets?

solar flare... sends out a blast of magnetic field, it has been known to cause power outages on the planet of Earth


What are two pieces of evidence that support the theory of sea floor spreading?

1) mapping of magnetic reversals 2) the nice fit you get by placing places like South America and Africa next to each other. ( &3) fossil evidence of both plants and animals.)


How do records of magnetic reversals show that plates move apart?

As the molten material rises and cools, some magnetic minerals line up with the Earth's magnetic field. When the material hardens, the minerals are permanently fixed like tiny compass needles pointing north and south. Whenever the magnetic field reverses, the cooling minerals record the change.


Does earth's magnetic field only affect other planets?

Earth's magnetic field does not only affect other planets. It plays a crucial role in protecting Earth from harmful solar radiation, creating the auroras, and guiding migratory animals. Additionally, it has practical applications in navigation and technology on Earth.


What is magnitite may be it is a mag net but of which type?

Magnetite is a naturally occurring magnetic mineral that is a type of iron oxide. It is known for its strong magnetic properties and is commonly used in compasses and other magnetic applications due to its ability to align itself with the Earth's magnetic field.


Which planet other than earth has magnetic field?

pagal