Geomagnetic Polarity

Geomagnetic polarity refers to the orientation of Earth's magnetic field, which has switched between "normal" (where magnetic north is near the geographic north) and "reversed" polarity (magnetic north is near the geographic south) over geological time. These reversals are recorded in rocks, particularly volcanic and sedimentary formations, through paleomagnetism. When magma cools or sediments are deposited, magnetic minerals align with the Earth's magnetic field, preserving a record of its direction. By studying these patterns, scientists can understand Earth's historical geodynamic processes, plate tectonics, and the timeline of geological events.