Disciplines
Paleomagnetism
pay-lee-oh-MAG-nuh-tiz-um
Geophysical Science
Citation Formats
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The study of prehistoric Earth's magnetic fields as recorded in rocks, sediment and archeological materials. Magnetic minerals lock in the field's direction and intensity when they form, and that record revived the continental drift hypothesis: apparent polar wander paths gave the first clear geophysical evidence for drift, marine magnetic anomalies did the same for seafloor spreading, and the record of geomagnetic reversals supplies a time scale geochronology uses.
Facts
Central QuestionWhat do rocks remember of Earth's ancient magnetic field, and where have the plates and continents been? 1 ScopePaleomagnetism studies the magnetization recorded in rocks at the time they formed, preserving a record of the Earth's ancient magnetic field. 1 SignificancePaleomagnetic stripes on the seafloor supplied the decisive evidence for seafloor spreading, and paleomagnetic data reconstruct the past positions of tectonic plates. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Evidence from paleomagnetism led to the revival of the continental drift hypothesis.
The record of geomagnetic reversals provides a time scale used as a geochronologic tool.
Marine magnetic anomalies gave clear geophysical evidence for seafloor spreading.
Includes
The magnetization magnetite locks in when it forms is the record paleomagnetism reads.
Part Of
Geophysicists who specialize in paleomagnetism are called paleomagnetists.
Sources
1. Paleomagnetism (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead sectionQuote, Lead section
Paleomagnetism (occasionally palaeomagnetism) is the study of prehistoric Earth's magnetic fields recorded in rocks, sediment, or archeological materials.
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