Question

The importance of the figure at the right is that it shows?

1) that the polarity (direction) of Earth's magnetic field has remained constant over time
2) that new oceanic lithosphere is produced at mid-ocean ridges
3) that the theory of continental drift was completely wrong
4) that glaciers once covered this part of the Earth
5) the wandering path of Earth's magnetic pole

Answer 1

The figure indicates that the Earth's magnetic field has reversed over time, and this information can be used with the knowledge of the rate of oceanic lithosphere spreading to create a historical record of these reversals, supporting the theory of plate tectonics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The figure showing the Earth's magnetic field implies that Earth's magnetic field has not remained constant over time but has experienced reversals. These reversals are recorded in the magnetization of oceanic lithosphere, which is created at mid-ocean ridges. As new material extrudes and solidifies at these ridges, it records the Earth's magnetic polarity at that time. If you measure the distance from the ridge and know the rate of spreading, you can use that information to date when flips in polarity occurred. This phenomenon supports the theory of plate tectonics and contributes to the understanding of continental drift.