Marine magnetic anomalies result from seafloor spreading in conjunction with
A) global warming.
B) magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun.
C) magnetic polarity reversals.
D) apparent wander of the magnetic poles.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Marine magnetic anomalies result from changes in Earth's magnetic polarity, which occur during magnetic polarity reversals. As new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, the magnetic minerals in the rocks align themselves with the direction of Earth's magnetic field. When the field reverses, the minerals in the rocks also reverse their alignment, resulting in a change in the magnetic signature of the oceanic crust. This can be detected and mapped as magnetic anomalies using instruments such as magnetometers.

Marine Magnetic Anomalies Result from Seafloor Spreading in Conjunction with