What would you study in order to determine the timescale on which the Earth's magnetic field reverses direction?
A) a spreading center on the sea floor
B) a volcano in the middle of a continental plate
C) a fault at the border between two plates
D) a subduction zone on the sea floor

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The timescale of the Earth's magnetic field reversals can be determined by studying the magnetic anomalies recorded in rocks on the sea floor at spreading centers. As magma rises and cools, the magnetic minerals in the rock align with the Earth's magnetic field at the time of solidification, creating a record of the field's direction and intensity. By studying the magnetic anomalies in the rocks, scientists can determine the timescale of the Earth's magnetic field reversals. Volcanoes, faults, and subduction zones may not record this information in a consistent or reliable manner.

What Would You Study in Order to Determine the Timescale