Magnetic Stripes On The Ocean Floor

Eruptions of molten material magnetic stripes in the rock of the ocean floor and the ages of the rocks themselves.

Magnetic stripes on the ocean floor.

Magnetic direction of rock changes as earth s magnetic poles drift. The concept of seafloor spreading was supported by magnetic polarity stripes on the ocean floor. In the 20th century the magnetic survey was conducted in the mid ocean ridge in order to investigate evidence of sea floor spreading. Magnetic stripes and isotopic clocks oceanographic exploration in the 1950s led to a much better understanding of the ocean floor.

These two things were the magnetic striping on the ocean floor and the age of seafloor rocks. Magnetic striping of the sea floor after mid ocean ridges and trenches were discovered more evidence was discovered that helped to support the theory that the continents had moved around. Magnetic striping magnetic minerals are found in rocks. Select the two correct answers.

Plate tectonic processes can affect climate. 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. The hawaiian islands are a volcanic arc atop an oceanic subduction zone. Plates move as new rock forms which causes magnetic direction to skew away.

These patterns were unlike any seen for continental rocks. Plate tectonics and reversals of the earth s magnetic field are responsible for the magnetic stripes found on the ocean floor. When magma flows out of a mid ocean ridge small magnetic minerals in the magma align themselves to point in the direction of the earth s current magnetic north. The figure below includes two images of the ocean floor.

A lab simulation learning objectives. Evidence for sea floor spreading. By using the magnetometer the magnetic polarity will be shown through a timescale that contains the normal and a reverse polarity. As the african crust stretched thin streams of magma intruded the continental crust and hardened.

As tectonic plates move apart new rock is formed and locks in the direction of the magnetic field at the time. Chapter 1 section 4. Identify the factors that cause magnetic stripes to form along the ocean floor. Among the new findings was the discovery of zebra stripe like magnetic patterns for the rocks of the ocean floor.

When the earth s magnetic field reverses a new stripe with the new polarity begins. The earth s magnetic field has flipped the n pole becoming the s pole and vice versa many times over geological time. Several types of evidence supported hess s theory of sea floor spreading. Magma acquires the magnetic direction present on earth when it hardens into rock 3.