Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN: 9780134746241
Author: Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher: PEARSON
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Without doing any calculations, how can you tell that the Van Buren ridge is spreading faster than the Lavaca Ridge? (refer to picture attached)
![**Calculating Plate Speeds Using Seafloor Paleomagnetism**
The paleomagnetic time scale (Figure 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 seafloor (Figures 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?
**Figure Descriptions:**
- **Figure 1. Paleomagnetic Time Scale:**
- Displays periods of normal polarity in black. Key intervals include Brunhes, Matuyama, Gauss, and Gilbert. The scale is marked in millions of years.
- **Figure 2. Paleomagnetism across the Lavaca Ridge:**
- Depicts the magnetic polarity pattern with periods of normal polarity in black. It shows a symmetrical pattern extending from the Lavaca Ridge axis.
- **Figure 3. Paleomagnetism across the Van Buren Ridge:**
- Displays similar magnetic polarity patterns as the Lavaca Ridge, with periods of normal polarity in black, but with a wider distribution, indicating a faster spreading rate compared to the Lavaca Ridge.
**Note:** Show calculations and comparison for confirmation of spreading speeds in the provided area.](https://content.bartleby.com/qna-images/question/5312d9d6-6d91-4637-8159-7a26db52ed60/cdec15e7-b79e-484a-9ab3-ef363e81b36a/nie5g0c_processed.png)
Transcribed Image Text:**Calculating Plate Speeds Using Seafloor Paleomagnetism**
The paleomagnetic time scale (Figure 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 seafloor (Figures 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?
**Figure Descriptions:**
- **Figure 1. Paleomagnetic Time Scale:**
- Displays periods of normal polarity in black. Key intervals include Brunhes, Matuyama, Gauss, and Gilbert. The scale is marked in millions of years.
- **Figure 2. Paleomagnetism across the Lavaca Ridge:**
- Depicts the magnetic polarity pattern with periods of normal polarity in black. It shows a symmetrical pattern extending from the Lavaca Ridge axis.
- **Figure 3. Paleomagnetism across the Van Buren Ridge:**
- Displays similar magnetic polarity patterns as the Lavaca Ridge, with periods of normal polarity in black, but with a wider distribution, indicating a faster spreading rate compared to the Lavaca Ridge.
**Note:** Show calculations and comparison for confirmation of spreading speeds in the provided area.
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