paleomágneses

Paleomagnetism is the study of the record of the Earth's magnetic field in rocks, sediments, and archeological materials. This field is generated by the motion of molten iron in the Earth's outer core and is responsible for phenomena like the aurora borealis and the operation of compasses. As rocks form, particularly igneous rocks that cool from molten lava or sedimentary rocks that settle from water, magnetic minerals within them align themselves with the prevailing direction of the Earth's magnetic field at that time. This alignment acts as a permanent magnetic "fossil" or remanence.

By analyzing the direction and intensity of this remanent magnetism in rock samples, scientists can determine the direction and intensity of the Earth's magnetic field at the time the rock was formed. This information is crucial for understanding the Earth's geological history. Paleomagnetic studies have provided strong evidence for plate tectonics, showing how continents have moved over millions of years. They also help in dating rock formations and correlating them across different regions. Furthermore, the Earth's magnetic field has reversed its polarity many times throughout history, and paleomagnetism records these reversals, creating a global timeline of magnetic events that can be used for geological dating.