Such magnetic patterns led to recognition of the occurrence of sea floor spreading and they remain some of the strongest evidence for the theory of plate tectonics.
Magnetic ocean floor patterns.
At the mid ocean ridge spreading axis these flips in the direction of the earth s magnetic field are recorded in the magnetization of the lava.
The magnetic variation in successive bands of ocean floor parallel with mid ocean ridges is important evidence supporting the theory of.
Among the new findings was the discovery of zebra stripe like magnetic patterns for the rocks of the ocean floor.
The dynamic ocean floor 20.
Magnetic stripes and isotopic clocks oceanographic exploration in the 1950s led to a much better understanding of the ocean floor.
When the earth s magnetic field reverses a new stripe with the new polarity begins.
In geophysics a magnetic anomaly is a local variation in the earth s magnetic field resulting from variations in the chemistry or magnetism of the rocks.
Ocean floor pattern plotting learning objectives.
As tectonic plates move apart new rock is formed and locks in the direction of the magnetic field at the time timing.
The figure below includes two images of the ocean floor.
These patterns of stripes provide the history of seafloor spreading.
The earth s magnetic field has flipped the n pole becoming the s pole and vice versa many times over geological time.
Mapping of variation over an area is valuable in detecting structures obscured by overlying material.