GEOL 107: Physical Geology

Dr. Lijun Liu

Announcements
First CPR writing due Fri. Sep 11;
assignment will show up in Compass on
Fri. Sep 4.
Carefully follow instructions in Compass
Work has to be submitted to the CPR server at
https://cpr.molsci.ucla.edu/cpr/cpr/login.asp

You should have all received your username

and password in email.
Finish each step of the CPR assignment in time

Chap 5 quiz due next Wednesday

This is a reading quiz based on the
textbook.

Magnetic field intensity (absolute

values)
(2x10 , 6x10 T)
-5

-5

Global
magnetic
anomaly
map
(-2x10-7, 2x10-7 T)
~1% anomaly

Refrig magnet
(5x10-3 T)

~100 times stronger

than the total
geomagnetic strength

Review last lecture

Continent moved
over time
or
Geomagnetic field
changed
or
Both the above

Apparent polar wander

Relative plate motion

Young

Old

The plate moved toward the _______ in the ________ Hemisphere.

(Lets assume the geomagnetic field has never changed during
the geological past.)
a. Equator; Southern
b. Equator; Northern
c. Pole; Southern
d. Pole; Northern

Review last lecture

Continent moved
over time

Geomagnetic field
changed

or
Geomagnetic field
changed
or
Both the above

Apparent polar wander

Relative plate motion

Geomagnetic polarity reversal

Earth-like
magnetic field
generation in a
3D simulation:

Dipolar
dominant
surface
magnetic field

Periodic
magnetic
polarity
reversals

Courtesy of G. Glatzmaier
8

Earth-like
magnetic field
generation in a
3D simulation:

Dipolar
dominant
surface
magnetic field

Periodic
magnetic
polarity
reversals

Courtesy of G. Glatzmaier
9

Earth-like
magnetic field
generation in a
3D simulation:

Dipolar
dominant
surface
magnetic field

Periodic
magnetic
polarity
reversals

Courtesy of G. Glatzmaier
10

Earth-like
magnetic field
generation in a
3D simulation:

Dipolar
dominant
surface
magnetic field

Periodic
magnetic
polarity
reversals

Courtesy of G. Glatzmaier
11

Earth-like
magnetic field
generation in a
3D simulation:

Dipolar
dominant
surface
magnetic field

Periodic
magnetic
polarity
reversals

Courtesy of G. Glatzmaier
12

What is the least likely for this

rock record?
Part I

Part II

Paleomag

A. The paleomagnetic anomaly pattern is irregular.

B. This record is symmetric with respect to part II.
C. A possible age order is part I > part II > part III.
D. Part II could be younger than both part I and part III.

Part III
Up

Evidence I: Seafloor
Topography

Notice the topographic symmetry across mid-ocean ridges

Evidence II: Paleomagnetic

anomalies

What caused
these? nt
bi
am

Polarity reversals
would work!

Marine magnetic anomalies are symmetric across midocean ridges

Polarity reversal is a global phenomenon

Some notes:

Magnetic polarity reversal is a global phenomenon

Reversals happened many times during the geological

past

Reversals are independent of surface tectonic

motions --- so we can use them as a reference

Reversal chart is a time table, so we can find age of

the seafloor from its magnetic pattern

How did this paleomagnetic record suggest for the growth of seafloor?

Up

Hint:

A.
B.
C.
D.

From left to right.

From right to left.
From side to center.
From center to side.

Deep sea drilling project

Lab measurements:
Paleomag
Age

All measurements reveal the same reversal sequence

Ages of
polarity
reversals are
determined by
radiometric
dating of lava
flows

Evidence III: Seafloor age

distribution

Topography + paleomag
+ age
Mid-ocean ridge

Topography

Paleomag

Age
old

young

Seafloor spreading!

old

Magnetic field
directions are
registered
during the
formation of
ocean crust

 The Atlantic ocean opened up since

180 million years ago (Ma) and is still
expanding

 Seafloor spreading rate varies from

ocean to ocean: the Pacific is the
fastest

Sea Floor Spreading

Most direct evidence for Plate

Tectonics

Continents move with ocean plates they dont plow through them!

Calibrated Peer-Review
writing #1