How can magnetic symmetry be used as evidence of sea-floor spreading?
1 Answer
Magnetic symmetry shows that the floor on both sides of a mid ocean ridge were once together.
Explanation:
Magnetic symmetry was the first evidence that lead to the theory of sea floor spreading. During World War II submarine warfare caused the intense study of magnetism on the ocean floor. The magnetic symmetry made spotting local abnormalities like a steel submarine easier to spot.
The explanation of the magnetic symmetry was that as fresh magma came to the surface it was magnetized. Then as new magma came to the surface it was also magnetized but in a different orientation. The older magma was split apart and moved in two different directions.
The evidence of magnetic symmetry lead to a revival of the theory of Continental Drift, which was renamed plate tectonics.
