Reversals of the Earth's Magnetic Field

Reversals of the Earth's magnetic field have played a major role in the development of plate tectonics and in establishing a geological time scale. In this 1994 book, observational data and ideas on the mechanism of the reversal process are reviewed in detail.

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By measuring the direction and intensity of magnetism in rocks of different ages, a record of the Earth's magnetic field in the past can be obtained. This 1994 book deals with the particular case of reversals of the Earth's magnetic field. These have played a major role in the development of plate tectonics and in establishing a geological time scale. The magnetism of rocks is discussed in some detail with a warning of possible misinterpretations of the record. Observational results and theories are reviewed with special attention to the structure and geometry of the transition field. Changing conditions at the core-mantle boundary, their effect on reversals, the generation of plumes and the possible correlation of reversals with tectonic changes, ice ages or mass extinctions are thoroughly discussed, including suggested periodicities in the reversal record and in other geophysical data.