SEA-FLOOR SPREADING HOW DO THEY KNOW?

Using sound waves researchers discovered an underwater

system of ridges (mountains & valleys) These ridges are caused by lava flows from volcanic eruptions on the ocean floor Henry Hess (Princeton University Scientist) said that hot, less dense material below earths crust rises toward the surface at mid-ocean ridges Once it rises up it flows sideways in both directions

Seafloor Animation

Evidence for Sea-floor Spreading

Magnetic clues geomagnitism Earths magnetic field has a north and a south

pole During a MAGNETIC REVERSAL the lines of magnetic force run the opposite way Scientists have determined that this reversal has happened several times every thousands or even millions of years apart

Magnetic Time Scale

Iron bearing minerals such as magnetite can

be found in the seafloors hardened rocks Using a magnetometer - a measuring instrument used to measure the strength and, in some cases, the direction of magnetic fields.

When rocks are heated to melting points

Minerals line up under intense heat and when

cooled the metals are aligned in polar configurations. The polarity in the rock can be detected and show when this reversal has occured/.