1answer.
Ask question
Login Signup
Ask question
All categories
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Business
  • History
  • Health
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Technology
  • Arts
  • World Languages
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • SAT
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
Bezzdna [24]
3 years ago
13

Explain how looking at the magnetism of certain rocks helps support the idea that the continents have moved and changed over tim

e. How does a catastrophic event such as the Genesis Flood help explain this phenomenon? (5pts) thanksssss!
Geography
1 answer:
enyata [817]3 years ago
7 0

Twenty years ago geologists were certain that the data correlated perfectly with the then-reigning model of stationary continents. The handful of geologists who promoted the notion of continental drift were accused of indulging in pseudoscientific fancy. Today, the opinion is reversed. The theory of moving continents is now the ruling paradigm and those who question it are often referred to as stubborn or ignorant. This "revolution" in our concept of the earth's character is a striking commentary on the human nature of scientists and on the flexibility that scientists allow in use of the geological data.

Plate Tectonics

The popular theory of drifting continents and oceans is called "plate tectonics."1 (Tectonics is the field of geology which studies the processes which deform the earth’s crust.) The general tenets of the popular theory may be stated as follows. The outer lithospheric shell of the earth consists of a mosaic of rigid plates, each in motion relative to adjacent plates. Deformation occurs at the margins of plates by three basic types of motion: horizontal extension, horizontal slipping, and horizontal compression. Sea-floor spreading occurs where two plates are diverging horizontally (e.g., the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and East Pacific Rise) with new material from the earth's mantle being added between them to form a new oceanic crust. Transform faulting occurs where one plate is slipping horizontally past another (e.g., the San Andreas fault of California and the Anatolian fault of northern Turkey). Subduction occurs where two plates are converging with one plate underthrusting the other producing what is supposed to be compressional deformation (e.g., the Peru-Chile Trench and associated Andes Mountains of South America). In conformity with evolutionary-uniformitarian assumption, popular plate tectonic theory supposes that plates move very slowly — about 2 to 18 centimeters per year. At this rate it would take 100 million years to form an ocean basin or mountain range.

Fitting of Continents

The idea that the continents can be fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle to form a single super continent is an old one. Especially interesting is how the eastern "bulge" of South America can fit into the southwestern "concavity" of Africa. Recent investigators have used computers to fit the continents. The "Bullard fit"2 gives one of the best reconstructions of how Africa, South America, Europe, and North America may have once touched. There are, however, areas of overlap of continents and one large area which must be omitted from consideration (Central America). There are a number of ways to fit Africa, India, Australia, and Antarctica (only one can be correct!). Reconstructions have been shown to be geometrically feasible which are preposterous to continental drift (e.g., rotation of eastern Australia fits nicely into eastern North America).3

Those who appreciate the overall fit of continents call the evidence "compelling," while others who note gaps, overlaps, or emissions remain skeptical. It is difficult to place probability on the accuracy of reconstructions and one's final judgment is largely subjective.

Sea-Floor Spreading

Evidence suggesting sea-floor spreading is claimed by many geologists to be the most compelling argument for plate tectonics. In the ocean basins along mid-ocean ridges or rises (and in some shallow seas) plates are thought to be diverging slowly and continuously at a rate of several centimeters yearly. Molten material from the earth's mantle is injected continuously between the plates and cools to form new crust. The youngest crust is claimed to be at the crest of the ocean rise or ridge with older crust farther from the crest. At the time of cooling, the rock acquires magnetism from the earth's magnetic field. Since the magnetic field of earth is supposed by many geologists to have reversed numerous times, during some epochs cooling oceanic crust should be reversely magnetized. If sea-floor spreading is continuous, the ocean floor should possess a magnetic "tape recording" of reversals. A "zebra stripe" pattern of linear magnetic anomalies parallel to the ocean ridge crest has been noted in some areas and potassium-argon dating has been alleged to show older rocks farther from the ridge crest.

There are some major problems with this classic and "most persuasive" evidence of sea-floor spreading. First the magnetic bands may not form by reversals of the earth's magnetic field. Asymmetry of magnetic stripes, not symmetry, is the normal occurrence.4 It has been argued that the linear patterns can be caused by several complex interacting factors (differences in magnetic susceptibility, magnetic reversals, oriented tectonic stresses).5

<span>
</span>
You might be interested in
What does sand and gravel do to the soil explain
olasank [31]
Gravel in the soil helps crops grow better, since they provide nutrients. Sand however, doesn't impact the crops growth at all.
6 0
3 years ago
. HOW ARE THE G.L CONNECTED TO THE WORLDS OCEAN?
slamgirl [31]
I can’t answer that but I can help you by saying that every river or source of water connect to the ocean
7 0
3 years ago
The _____ theory explains how our universe became so structured and uniform.
Masja [62]
The inflation theory is your answer!
3 0
3 years ago
Read 2 more answers
map of the 9 provinces with symbols indicating the location of all airport required for domestic flights​
WINSTONCH [101]

The map of the provinces with symbols showing the location of all airport required for domestic flights​ is attached.

<h3>What makes a flight to be domestic?</h3>

A domestic flight is known to be a kind of flight that is said to go/take off and lands in the same country.

A good example of a domestic flight in the USA is the flight that left or depart from Los Angeles and did land in New York Los Angeles.

An international flight is known to be a flight that carry passengers out of a country.

Learn more about domestic flights​ from

brainly.com/question/376674

5 0
2 years ago
Which does not show earth past environment
Nikolay [14]
Ugh h ugh. Is a sus subsumed s aka. She snack s she. Eje. E
5 0
3 years ago
Other questions:
  • If there is property damage as a result of the collision, and you are unable to locate the owner, you should
    14·1 answer
  • The most commonly used source of geographical material is [a(n)]:
    6·2 answers
  • Two sides of a triangle are 7 cm and 13 cm long. The perimeter of the triangle is 30 cm. write an equation that models this prob
    11·2 answers
  • How is an ecoregion different from a ecosystem?
    5·1 answer
  • Which of these is a behavioral response that is determined by heredity
    13·2 answers
  • Which type of map would you use to locate oil reserves? Question 15 options: Political Topographical Resource Special Purpose
    5·1 answer
  • WILL GIVE BRAINLIEST
    15·1 answer
  • What is a dangerous side-effect of hurricanes in the central american region?volcanoesearthquakespollutionmudslides
    8·1 answer
  • 11. State whether the statement is true or false. b) The equator divides the earth into two equal halves. a) The Prime Meridian
    12·1 answer
  • Bodies of Water
    12·1 answer
Add answer
Login
Not registered? Fast signup
Signup
Login Signup
Ask question!