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Magnetic stripes on the seafloor appeal to scientists because they provide crucial evidence for the theory of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics. As magma rises and solidifies at mid-ocean ridges, it records the Earth's magnetic field, which has reversed polarity over geological time. These alternating magnetic stripes serve as a geological record, helping to date the age of the oceanic crust and understand the movement of tectonic plates. This pattern of magnetism is key to studying Earth's geological history and the dynamics of its crust.

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Which observation was not instrumenntal in formulating the hypothesis of seafloor spreading?

The observation of the alternating magnetic stripes on the seafloor was instrumental in formulating the hypothesis of seafloor spreading.


How does magnetic stripes prove seafloor spreading?

Magnetic stripes on the seafloor provide evidence for seafloor spreading because they show alternating bands of normal and reversed polarity along mid-ocean ridges. These stripes form as new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges, with the Earth's magnetic field aligning minerals in the crust in the direction of the prevailing polarity at the time of its formation. By collecting and analyzing samples from the ocean floor, scientists can observe these magnetic patterns and confirm the process of seafloor spreading over geologic time scales.


Magnetic strips on the seafloor are caused in part by?

Magnetic strips on the seafloor are caused in part by seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges. As the crust cools and solidifies, it locks in the polarity of the Earth's magnetic field at the time, creating a recorded history of magnetic reversals. This process creates alternating stripes of normal and reversed polarity as the seafloor expands.


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 do magnetic stripes appear on the seefloor?

The seafloor spreads apart, creating new rocks that record magnetic orientation. Small grains of magnetite on the volcanic basalt (ocean floor) have magnetic properties.

Related Questions

What do the magnetic stripes om the seafloor represent?

When Earth's magnetic poles have reversed themselves.


What are magnetic stripes on the seafloor?

Magnetic stripes on the seafloor are alternating bands of magnetized rock that form parallel to mid-ocean ridges. These stripes are a result of Earth's magnetic field changing direction over time and getting preserved in the rocks as they cool and solidify. They provide evidence for seafloor spreading and plate tectonics.


What Magnetic stripes on the seafloor are caused in parts by?

movement of ocean crust.


What Magnetic stripes on the seafloor are caused on part by?

movement of ocean crust.


Which observation was not instrumenntal in formulating the hypothesis of seafloor spreading?

The observation of the alternating magnetic stripes on the seafloor was instrumental in formulating the hypothesis of seafloor spreading.


How does magnetic reversals provide evidence for seafloor spreading?

Because of the stripes at the sea floor which are magnetic minerals


Magnetic stripes on the seafloor are caused in part by?

symmetrical spreading of the ocean floor at mid-ocean ridges, where molten material rises to create new seafloor. As this material cools and solidifies, it records the Earth's magnetic field at the time, creating magnetic stripes on the seafloor. This phenomenon provides evidence for seafloor spreading and plate tectonics.


How is magnetism used to support the theory about seafloor spreading?

Magnetism is used to support the theory of seafloor spreading through the study of magnetic stripes on the seafloor. These stripes are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field and provide evidence for the process of seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges. As the crust cools and solidifies, the magnetic minerals in the rocks align with the Earth's magnetic field, creating a record of magnetic reversals over time that support the theory of seafloor spreading.


How does magnetic stripes prove seafloor spreading?

Magnetic stripes on the seafloor provide evidence for seafloor spreading because they show alternating bands of normal and reversed polarity along mid-ocean ridges. These stripes form as new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges, with the Earth's magnetic field aligning minerals in the crust in the direction of the prevailing polarity at the time of its formation. By collecting and analyzing samples from the ocean floor, scientists can observe these magnetic patterns and confirm the process of seafloor spreading over geologic time scales.


Magnetic strips on the seafloor are caused in part by?

Magnetic strips on the seafloor are caused in part by seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges. As the crust cools and solidifies, it locks in the polarity of the Earth's magnetic field at the time, creating a recorded history of magnetic reversals. This process creates alternating stripes of normal and reversed polarity as the seafloor expands.


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.


How does seafoor age and magnetic clues support seafloor spreading?

Seafloor is youngest near the mid-ocean ridges and gets progressively older as you move away from the ridge. Magnetic stripes on the seafloor provide evidence of seafloor spreading, as they show alternating patterns of normal and reversed magnetic polarity that match the Earth's magnetic reversals over time. This supports the theory of seafloor spreading as new oceanic crust is created at the mid-ocean ridge and spreads outward.