Question

In 3-5 sentences, describe how paleomagnetic evidence supports the theory that continents change position (drift) over time.(4 points)

Answer 1

Paleomagnetic evidence supports the theory of continental drift by showing that the Earth's magnetic field has flipped multiple times throughout history. As rocks form, they align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field. When these rocks are later studied, their magnetism can reveal the latitude at which they were originally formed. By comparing the magnetism of rocks from different continents, scientists have found that their current positions do not align with their magnetism, suggesting that the continents have moved over time.