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because they showed alternating bands of normal and reversed polarity.

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12y ago
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1mo ago

revealed a symmetrical alternation of magnetic orientations on either side of mid-ocean ridges. This suggested that new oceanic crust was being formed at these ridges, with molten magma solidifying and locking in Earth's magnetic field at the time of its creation. By studying these patterns, scientists could map the history of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics.

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Q: Magnetic patterns on the ocean floor were puzzling because they?
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Related questions

Why are magnet patterns important evidence for plate tectonics?

magnetic rocks on the ocean floor show that the Earths magnetic field has been frequently reversed forming new sea floor.


How magnetic reversals provide evidence for sea floor spreading?

Because of the stripes at the sea floor which are magnetic minerals


The patterns of iron particles found in sea floor rocks result from what?

The patterns of iron particles found in sea floor rocks result from changes in the Earth's magnetic field over time. As the molten rock solidifies into rock, the iron particles align with the Earth's magnetic field at that time, creating unique patterns that can be used to study the history of the Earth's magnetic field and plate tectonics.


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.


What Causes of magnetic striping?

Magnetic striping on the ocean floor is caused by the movement of tectonic plates. As new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, Earth's magnetic field causes iron-rich minerals in the crust to align and record the direction of the magnetic field at that time. This results in alternating patterns of magnetic polarity stripes on the ocean floor.


How does magnetic reversals provide evidence for seafloor spreading?

Because of the stripes at the sea floor which are magnetic minerals


How are magnetic patterns in sea floor rock evidence of seafloor spreading?

Magnetic alignment of rocks, in alternating strips that run parallel to ridges, indicates reversals in Earth's magnetic field and provides further evidence of seafloor spreading.


Studying the magnetic patterns of the rocks in the floor of the ocean helps scientists do what?

Studying the magnetic patterns of ocean floor rocks helps scientists understand the movement of Earth's tectonic plates and past changes in the Earth's magnetic field. This information is crucial for reconstructing the history of plate tectonics and understanding the processes that shape the Earth's surface.


Bands of magnetic material in the sea floor that have opposite poles or exhibit magnetic reversal can provide evidence for sea floor spreading true or false?

True. Bands of magnetic material in the sea floor that have opposite poles or exhibit magnetic reversal provide evidence for sea floor spreading. This is because as new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges, Earth's magnetic field periodically reverses, creating magnetic stripes on the ocean floor that align with the direction of the magnetic field at that time.


How would the history of magnetic reversals show it self on the ocean floor?

The history of magnetic reversals is recorded in the seafloor by magnetic striping patterns. As new rock is formed at mid-ocean ridges and the Earth's magnetic field switches polarity over time, the rocks' magnetic alignment gets locked in. By studying the alternating patterns of normal and reversed polarity on the ocean floor, scientists can reconstruct the timeline of Earth's magnetic reversals.


Identify how magnetic symmetry can be used as evidence of sea-floor spreading?

Magnetic symmetry in rocks can provide evidence of sea-floor spreading by showing alternating patterns of magnetic polarity on either side of mid-ocean ridges. As new oceanic crust forms at the ridge and spreads outward, minerals in the crust record Earth's changing magnetic field. These symmetrical patterns of magnetic polarity across the ocean floor support the idea that the seafloor is spreading apart at these mid-ocean ridges.


How does seafloor spreading affect the magnetic pattern on the sea floor?

Seafloor spreading creates symmetrical magnetic patterns on the sea floor due to changes in Earth's magnetic field orientation over time. As magma rises and solidifies at mid-ocean ridges, it records the current magnetic field orientation. This creates alternating bands of normal and reversed magnetic polarity on the ocean floor, known as magnetic stripes, which reflect the history of Earth's magnetic field reversals.