Magnetic Ocean Floor Patterns

This creates a symmetrical pattern of magnetic stripes of opposite polarity on either side of mid ocean ridges.

Magnetic ocean floor patterns.

The magnetic variation in successive bands of ocean floor parallel with mid ocean ridges is important evidence supporting the theory of. The figure below includes two images of the ocean floor. These patterns of stripes provide the history of seafloor spreading. Ocean floor pattern plotting learning objectives.

Based on the pattern of magnetic reversals ex hibited in figure 6 does it appear as though an other polarity reversal will occur in the near future paleomagnetism and seafloor spreading the pattern of magnetic polarity reversals shown in figure 6 has been found in rocks of all the major ocean basins. 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. 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 the earth s magnetic field reverses a new stripe with the new polarity begins.

Among the new findings was the discovery of zebra stripe like magnetic patterns for the rocks of the ocean floor. 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 stripes and isotopic clocks oceanographic exploration in the 1950s led to a much better understanding of the ocean floor. As tectonic plates move apart new rock is formed and locks in the direction of the magnetic field at the time timing.

The dynamic ocean floor 20.