Calculating Plate Speeds Using Seafloor Paleomagnetism Chron Subchron The paleomagnetic time scale (Fig. 1) illustrates the reversals of earth's magnetic polarity through time. The time scale was developed by examining the magnetic polarity of lava flows of various ages from thousands of locations on the continents. Many years later, and by accident, a similar pattern of magnetic reversals was discovered on the sea floor (Figs. 2 and 3). In each case, the pattern of reversals on the seafloor exhibits symmetry with respect to mid-ocean ridges (i.e. East Pacific Rise, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, etc.). Can you figure out how the paleomagnetic data provides a way to calculate how fast the plates are moving away from the ridge axis? 1.0 Jaramillo Cobb Mountain Definitions Half-spreading rate is the speed at which one plate is moving away from a mid-ocean ridge. Full-spreading rate = 2x half-spreading rate (This is the rate at which the ocean basin is getting wider.) OMai 2.0 Reunice 1. Without doing any calculations, how can you tell that the Van Buren ridge is spreading faster than the Lavaca Ridge? Karna Mammoth 3.0 2. Calculate and compare the a) half-spreading rates and b) full spreading rates for the Lavaca and Van Buren ridges. SHOW YOUR WORK! Do your calculated results confirm that the Van Buren ridge is spreading faster? Cochiti Lavaca Ridge axis 4.0 Nunivak SHOW YOUR WORK HERE! Sidufjall Thers 50 Figure 1. Paleomagnetic Time Scale, with periods of normal polarity in black. Figure 2. Paleomagnetism across the Lavaca Ridge. Periods of normal polarity are in black. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Van Buren Ridge axis Kilometers SCALE Figure 3. Paleomagnetism across the Van Buren Ridge. Periods of normal polarity are in black. Radiometric Age (million year) GILBERT GAUSS MATUYAMA BRUNHES

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**Calculating Plate Speeds Using Seafloor Paleomagnetism**

The paleomagnetic time scale (Fig. 1) illustrates the reversals of Earth's magnetic polarity through time. This scale was developed by examining the magnetic polarity of lava flows of various ages from thousands of locations on the continents. Many years later, and by accident, a similar pattern of magnetic reversals was discovered on the sea floor (Figs. 2 and 3). In each case, the pattern of reversals on the seafloor exhibits symmetry with respect to mid-ocean ridges (i.e., East Pacific Rise, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, etc.). Can you figure out how the paleomagnetic data provides a way to calculate how fast the plates are moving away from the ridge axis?

**Definitions:**
- **Half-spreading rate** is the speed at which one plate is moving away from a mid-ocean ridge.
- **Full-spreading rate** = 2 x half-spreading rate [This is the rate at which the ocean basin is getting wider.]

1. Without doing any calculations, how can you tell that the Van Buren ridge is spreading faster than the Lavaca Ridge?

2. Calculate and compare the a) half-spreading rates and b) full spreading rates for the Lavaca and Van Buren ridges. *Show your work!* Do your calculated results confirm that the Van Buren ridge is spreading faster?

---

**Figures and Explanation:**

- **Figure 1**: Paleomagnetic Time Scale, with periods of normal polarity in black.
  
- **Figure 2**: Paleomagnetism across the Lavaca Ridge. Periods of normal polarity are in black. A scale is provided (0 to 60 kilometers) to measure distances and infer spreading rates.

- **Figure 3**: Paleomagnetism across the Van Buren Ridge. Periods of normal polarity are in black, also with a scale for measuring spreading rates. This figure shows more extensive areas of the normal polarity, indicating a faster spreading rate compared to the Lavaca Ridge.

**Note**: The blank box labeled "SHOW YOUR WORK HERE!" suggests an area for students to input their calculations and findings.
Transcribed Image Text:**Calculating Plate Speeds Using Seafloor Paleomagnetism** The paleomagnetic time scale (Fig. 1) illustrates the reversals of Earth's magnetic polarity through time. This scale was developed by examining the magnetic polarity of lava flows of various ages from thousands of locations on the continents. Many years later, and by accident, a similar pattern of magnetic reversals was discovered on the sea floor (Figs. 2 and 3). In each case, the pattern of reversals on the seafloor exhibits symmetry with respect to mid-ocean ridges (i.e., East Pacific Rise, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, etc.). Can you figure out how the paleomagnetic data provides a way to calculate how fast the plates are moving away from the ridge axis? **Definitions:** - **Half-spreading rate** is the speed at which one plate is moving away from a mid-ocean ridge. - **Full-spreading rate** = 2 x half-spreading rate [This is the rate at which the ocean basin is getting wider.] 1. Without doing any calculations, how can you tell that the Van Buren ridge is spreading faster than the Lavaca Ridge? 2. Calculate and compare the a) half-spreading rates and b) full spreading rates for the Lavaca and Van Buren ridges. *Show your work!* Do your calculated results confirm that the Van Buren ridge is spreading faster? --- **Figures and Explanation:** - **Figure 1**: Paleomagnetic Time Scale, with periods of normal polarity in black. - **Figure 2**: Paleomagnetism across the Lavaca Ridge. Periods of normal polarity are in black. A scale is provided (0 to 60 kilometers) to measure distances and infer spreading rates. - **Figure 3**: Paleomagnetism across the Van Buren Ridge. Periods of normal polarity are in black, also with a scale for measuring spreading rates. This figure shows more extensive areas of the normal polarity, indicating a faster spreading rate compared to the Lavaca Ridge. **Note**: The blank box labeled "SHOW YOUR WORK HERE!" suggests an area for students to input their calculations and findings.
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