GEOS 112L - Pre-Lab assignment

This assignment is due on: September 22nd, 2005 at 13:00

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Question 1

How long does it take for the earth's magnetic field to reverse its direction (polarity)? How often has this happened over the past 4 million years?

The duration of a magnetic reversal is a little bit disputed, but it is generally assumed that it takes on the order of a thousand years. So your answer can range between 1000-5000 years. Over the past 4 Ma the field reversed about 17 times.

Question 2:

What are the predictions of the VMM hypothesis, and how do you plan on testing them?

  • magnetic anomalies should be symmetric about the ridge axis
  • they should correlate along a ridge
  • their timing should correlate with the magnetic reversal time scale

how to test it - you better read the handout...

Comments:

Use this part to address any problems that you want to be addressed in class, or make any other comments.

 
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