ANTH 1131 Lecture Notes - Paleomagnetism
Document Summary
Method for dating objects in sites that are extremely old. Earth has its own electromagnetic field, because the inside of the earth is an iron-rich core the magnetic field of the iron core creates a magnetic pattern, flow. Electrons flow out from the south of the core and moves and enters into the north. However, hasn"t always been this way it fluctuates daily and was different in the past. The locations of north and south pole constantly wanders, although now it"s closer to earth"s axis sometimes, north pole can become the south pole and vice-versa, in regards of the magnetic pull. Becomes reverse polarity when north becomes south. Throughout the years, there are time periods called chrons or. Subchrons that show what the polarity of earth over time. When sediments settles on the ground iron-based particles align with current magnetic pole. When sediments become compacted, their orientation becomes locked in.
