Marine Magnetic Anomaly

A marine magnetic anomaly refers to variations in the Earth's magnetic field detected in ocean areas, primarily caused by different types of rocks on the ocean floor. As magma rises and cools at mid-ocean ridges, it solidifies with magnetic minerals aligned according to the Earth's magnetic field at that time. When Earth’s magnetic field reverses, new rock formations will exhibit opposite magnetic properties. These anomalies reveal the history of the Earth's magnetic field changes and help scientists understand plate tectonics and the age of oceanic crust, contributing to our knowledge of geological processes.