Tag Archives: Paleomagnetism

As new seafloor is formed by volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges, the magnetic field polarity of Earth at that time gets preserved in magnetic minerals within the volcanic rocks. As the seafloor moves away from the ridges, it serves as a geological "tape recorder," showing variations in magnetic polarity over time.
1963: Unraveling Earth’s Magnetic Mysteries – The Study of Reversing Polarity

Researchers in geophysics and paleomagnetism, like Motonori Matuyama and Lawrence Morley, have discovered Earth's magnetic field reversals, revealing crucial insights into seafloor spreading and plate tectonics

A hand sample of lodestone, a rock containing the mineral magnetite, with small nails sticking to its surface due to its powerful magnetism
c. 2000 BCE: Magnetite – The Ancient and Versatile Mineral

Magnetite, an iron oxide mineral with remarkable magnetic properties, has played a pivotal role in ancient navigation, geological studies, and modern technology, reflecting its enduring significance from antiquity to present-day applications