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paleomagnetic

paleomagnetic

1 9.9
About old magnetic directions kept in rocks
  • adjective
  • /ˌpeɪliˈoʊmæɡnɛtɪk/
  • Specialized
: paleomagnético
  • The new techniques in paleomagnetic dating allow scientists to uncover the Earth's magnetic history.

Examples

  • The new species was not only smaller but also more ancient, coming from sediments that have been dated (by paleomagnetic reversals) to about 6.3 million years ago.

    Academic text (1991)
  • This theory was either ignored or ridiculed for half a century until eventually confirmed by paleomagnetic research during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

    Blog text (20)
  • Evidence came from a technique called paleomagnetic dating: When lava cools and hardens, iron-rich minerals permanently point like frozen compass needles toward the Earth's magnetic poles.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Researchers analyzed rocks for paleomagnetic properties to understand tectonic plate movements.

  • Many studies rely on paleomagnetic data to determine the age of ancient geological formations.

Surface Forms

paleomagnetic positive

Morphology

paleomagnetic = magnetic (semi-transparent) = paleo + magnet + ic

Formation is regular (paleo- 'ancient' + magnetic), but 'paleo-' is a technical combining form that may be unfamiliar to average learners.

Etymology

Paleomagnetic starts with paleo- meaning 'ancient' and ends with magnetic from magnet meaning 'related to a magnet'. So paleomagnetic is about the 'ancient magnetism' kept in rocks, which is why scientists use it to learn about Earth's past magnetic field and how continents moved.