The width of magnetic marine anomalies can be influenced by the rate of seafloor spreading, fluctuations in Earth's magnetic field, the duration of magnetic reversals, and the local topography and bathymetry of the ocean floor.
The width of magnetic marine anomalies on the ocean floor can be influenced by several variables. These include the rate of seafloor spreading, changes in Earth's magnetic field, and the duration of magnetic reversals. The spreading rate is particularly significant, as it determines how much new material is added to the ocean floor; faster spreading results in broader magnetic stripes.
Earth's magnetic field has flipped many times throughout history, with periods of normal polarity (where the field's direction is the same as today's field) and reversed polarity (where the field is flipped). The frequency and duration of these magnetic reversals can also influence the width of marine magnetic anomalies. Additionally, the local topography and bathymetry play a role by affecting how the magnetic field is recorded in the oceanic crust.