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The seafloor exhibits magnetic reversals because new oceanic crust is continuously forming at mid-ocean ridges, capturing the direction of Earth's magnetic field at the time of its formation. In contrast, the continents are made of thicker and older crust, which does not record magnetic reversals as readily as the rapidly-formed seafloor crust.

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Q: Why the seafloor exhibits magnetic reversal but the continents did not?
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Why the seafloor exhibits magnetic reversal but the continents do not?

The seafloor exhibits magnetic reversal due to the alignment of magnetic minerals in the lava as it solidifies at mid-ocean ridges. As the Earth's magnetic field flips over time, this record is preserved in the oceanic crust. In contrast, continental rocks are less likely to preserve such a record because they are mostly composed of different types of minerals that do not align with the Earth's magnetic field in the same way.


First related the symmetrical magnetic patterns in seafloor basalts to seafloor spreading at a mid-ocean ridge?

Symmetrical magnetic patterns in seafloor basalts are formed due to the reversal of Earth's magnetic field over time. As magma solidifies and forms new oceanic crust at a mid-ocean ridge, it locks in the prevailing magnetic orientation. As the crust moves away from the ridge through seafloor spreading, these magnetic patterns create a mirror image on either side of the ridge, providing evidence for the process of seafloor spreading.


What three pieces of evidence did Harry Hess gather to prove that seafloor spreading was taking place?

Magnetic stripes on the seafloor showed alternating patterns of normal and reversed polarity, matching Earth's magnetic field reversals. Age dating of seafloor rocks revealed that rocks were youngest along mid-ocean ridges and oldest near continental margins. Sediment thickness on the seafloor was thinnest at mid-ocean ridges and thickest near the continents, supporting the idea of seafloor spreading.


What properties of iron bearing minerals on the seafloor support the theory of seafloor spreading?

iron bearing minerals can record Earth's magnetic field direction. when Earth's magnetic field reverses, newly formed iron bearing minerals will record the magnetic reversal. magnetic reversals show new rock being formed at mid-ocean ridges. This helped explain how the crust could move


How do magnetic signatures support the idea that continents move?

Scientists indicated that the seafloor was spreading, so the poles "reverse"

Related questions

Why the seafloor exhibits magnetic reversal but the continents do not?

The seafloor exhibits magnetic reversal due to the alignment of magnetic minerals in the lava as it solidifies at mid-ocean ridges. As the Earth's magnetic field flips over time, this record is preserved in the oceanic crust. In contrast, continental rocks are less likely to preserve such a record because they are mostly composed of different types of minerals that do not align with the Earth's magnetic field in the same way.


How did scientist determaine the age of the ocean floor?

Through geomagnetic reversal whee they studying the magnetic properties of the seafloor.


Why did magnetic reversals on the seafloor support seafloor spreading?

Earth got its north and south Pole's have geographic and magnetic north and south poles which makes an angle of nearly 5.6degree. magnetic field created due to core of earth is reversed during each 100 million year period. ie.magnetic north becomes south and vice's. seafloor spreading is a continuous event so for each 100my spread seafloor we get opposite polarised magnetic substances. That is called magnetic reversal


First related the symmetrical magnetic patterns in seafloor basalts to seafloor spreading at a mid-ocean ridge?

Symmetrical magnetic patterns in seafloor basalts are formed due to the reversal of Earth's magnetic field over time. As magma solidifies and forms new oceanic crust at a mid-ocean ridge, it locks in the prevailing magnetic orientation. As the crust moves away from the ridge through seafloor spreading, these magnetic patterns create a mirror image on either side of the ridge, providing evidence for the process of seafloor spreading.


How do earth's magnetic signatures support the idea that continents move?

Scientists indicated that the seafloor was spreading, so the poles "reverse"


What three pieces of evidence did Harry Hess gather to prove that seafloor spreading was taking place?

Magnetic stripes on the seafloor showed alternating patterns of normal and reversed polarity, matching Earth's magnetic field reversals. Age dating of seafloor rocks revealed that rocks were youngest along mid-ocean ridges and oldest near continental margins. Sediment thickness on the seafloor was thinnest at mid-ocean ridges and thickest near the continents, supporting the idea of seafloor spreading.


How a prediction and then evidence of magnetism in rocks on the ocean floor proved that the seafloor spreads?

The Earth's magnetic reversals have been recorded in newly forming oceanic seafloor basalt by the orientation of magnetic minerals which become frozen in place as the magma hardens. When the next reversal occurs, it as well becomes part of the ocean floor magnetic record.


What was the theory that was shown to be correct by age evidence and magnetic clues?

The theory that was confirmed by age evidence and magnetic clues is the theory of plate tectonics. Evidence such as the ages of rocks on either side of ocean ridges and the alignment of magnetic minerals in oceanic crust support the idea that Earth's lithosphere is broken into rigid plates that move and interact with each other.


How do scientist date seafloor rocks?

Scientists date sea-floor rocks by looking at patterns in the rocks, including magnetic patterns, and by looking at the geomagnetic reversal time scale.


Rock on the ocean floor provided the final proof of sea floor spreading with a record of?

magnetic stripes on either side of the Mid-Atlantic ridge. These parallel bands of alternating polarity were mirrored on each side of the ridge, providing evidence for seafloor spreading and the movement of tectonic plates.


What properties of iron bearing minerals on the seafloor support the theory of seafloor spreading?

iron bearing minerals can record Earth's magnetic field direction. when Earth's magnetic field reverses, newly formed iron bearing minerals will record the magnetic reversal. magnetic reversals show new rock being formed at mid-ocean ridges. This helped explain how the crust could move


How do magnetic signatures support the idea that continents move?

Scientists indicated that the seafloor was spreading, so the poles "reverse"