Question

Volcanic rock shows that some layers have magnetic fields that are aligned opposite to Earth's. This evidence BEST fits which hypothesis? A) Earth's rotation has reversed in the past. B) Earth's magnetic field has reversed in the past. C) Earth did not have a magnetic field until recently. D) Earth's magnetic field has always had the same orientation.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) Earth's magnetic field has reversed in the past.

Volcanic rock shows that some layers have magnetic fields that are aligned opposite to Earth's. This evidence BEST fits the hypothesis that the Earth's magnetic field has reversed in the past.

There is a field in science called Paleomagnetism that studies the rocks and the Earth's magnetic field. This serves geologists ti understand the magnetic changes in the Earth in the past. Volcanic and sedimentary rock sequences record geomagnetic reversals, that help scientists determine the Earth's condition thousands or millions of years ago.