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Marine magnetic anomalies, geomagnetic field reversals, and motions of the ocean floor and continents

J. R. Heirtzler, G. O. Dickson, Ellen M. Herron, Walter C. Pitman, Xavier Le Pichon

Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, 1968

1,194 citations

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of the three previous papers in this series, which have shown the presence of a pattern of magnetic anomalies, bilaterally symmetric about the crest of the ridge in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. By assuming that the pattern is caused by a sequence of normally and reversely magnetized blocks that have been produced by sea floor spreading at the axes of the ridges, it is shown that the sequences of blocks correspond to the same geomagnetic time scale. An attempt is made to determine the absolute ages of this time scale using paleomagnetic and paleontological data. The pattern of opening of the oceans is discussed and the implications on continental drift are considered. This pattern is in good agreement with continental drift, in particular with the history of the break up of Gondwanaland.

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