Magnetic Patterns On The Ocean Floor Were Puzzling Because They

Showed alternating bands of normal and reversed polarity wegener s hypothesis of continental drift was finally confirmed by.

Magnetic patterns on the ocean floor were puzzling because they.

Tracks of continents plowing through the ocean floor rock. The magnetic patterns were a mirror image of each side of the ridge. Isacks had integrated this notion of seafloor spreading with that of drifting continents and formulated the basis of plate tectonic theory. Magnetic patterns on the ocean floor were puzzling because they.

It provided evidence of sea floor spreading. The ocean floor is thus pushed at right angles and in opposite directions away from the crests. Magnetic patterns are symmetrical on each side of the mid ocean ridge which would indicate that the seafloor is spreading apart like the tectonic plate theory claims. Later theories showed that this was due to the reversing nature of earth s magnetic field.

The earths magnetic polarity at the time of rock formation. Studying the magnetic patterns of the rocks in the floor of the ocean helps scientists do what. Oliver and bryan l. Why were magnetic patterns found on the ocean floor puzzling.

The magnetic variation in successive bands of ocean floor parallel with mid ocean ridges is important evidence supporting the theory of. It helps them determine the frequency of. Magnetic patterns on the ocean floor were puzzling because they. Why did scientists expect the ocean floor to have a thick layer of sediment.

The study paleomagnetism was key in proving wegener s hypothesis because. 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. When earth s geomagnetic field undergoes a reversal the change in polarity is recorded in the magma which contributes to the alternating pattern of magnetic striping on the seafloor. At spreading centres this crust is separated into parallel bands of rock by successive waves of emergent magma.

Mapping of variation over an area is valuable in detecting structures obscured by overlying material. Evidence that was discovered nearly 2 decades after his death.