Magnetic Stripes On Sea Floor

Magnetic stripes and isotopic clocks oceanographic exploration in the 1950s led to a much better understanding of the ocean floor.

Magnetic stripes on sea floor.

Magnetic striping of the sea floor after mid ocean ridges and trenches were discovered more evidence was discovered that helped to support the theory that the continents had moved around. These two things were the magnetic striping on the ocean floor and the age of seafloor rocks. These patterns were unlike any seen for continental rocks. When scientists studied patterns in the rocks of the ocean floor they found more support for sea floor spreading.

Magnetic striping magnetic minerals are found in rocks. Among the new findings was the discovery of zebra stripe like magnetic patterns for the rocks of the ocean floor. Surprisingly earth s magnetic poles have reversed themselves many times during earth s history. What they discovered was that the magnetism of the ocean floor around mid ocean ridges was divided into matching stripes on either side of the.

Evidence from magnetic stripes. You read earlier that earth behaves like a giant magnet with a north pole and a south pole. Basalt the once molten rock that makes up most new oceanic crust is a fairly magnetic substance and scientists began using magnetometers to measure the magnetism of the ocean floor in the 1950s. The discovery of magnetic stripes on the seafloor in the 1950s validated the plate tectonics theory for the geological community.