earth science

Paleomagnetic pole

Paleomagnetic pole is a earth science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Paleomagnetic pole rather than just read about it. In short: Paleomagnetic poles or paleopoles are positions of the geomagnetic poles identified by the study of magnetic fields of the past as recorded in rocks and sediments. Determining paleomagnetic poles Theoretically, paleopoles could be located by measuring paleomagnetism in rocks of similar ages in different parts of the globe.

Key takeaways

Paleomagnetic pole belongs to earth science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Paleomagnetic pole to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Paleomagnetic pole from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Paleomagnetic poles or paleopoles are positions of the geomagnetic poles identified by the study of magnetic fields of the past as recorded in rocks and sediments.

Determining paleomagnetic poles Theoretically, paleopoles could be located by measuring paleomagnetism in rocks of similar ages in different parts of the globe. However chronological dating is insufficiently precise for this purpose for remote paleographic eras. In addition, continental drift must be taken into an account. Only approximate locations can be assigned to paleopoles, with varying degree of reliability. Due to changing techniques and data selection and acceptance criteria, many "paleomagnetic poles" reported in the past would not be considered reliably determined according to the more recent state of the knowledge.

Examples Paleocene intrusives of north-central Montana (as of 1992: reliable) Jurassic rocks of southeastern Arizona (as of 1992: "intermediate" reliability) Stratigraphic succession of Paleocene lavas at Gringo Gulch near Patagonia, Arizona (as of 1992: problematic reliability)

See also Apparent polar wander#Paleomagnetic poles Plate reconstruction#Paleomagnetic poles

References

Further reading Irving, E. (1960). "Paleomagnetic pole positions, a survey and analysis". Geophysical Journal International. 3 (1): 51–79. Bibcode:1959GeoJ....2...51I. doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.1959.tb05781.x.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Paleomagnetic pole

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Paleomagnetic pole claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In earth science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Paleomagnetic pole before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Paleomagnetic pole ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Paleomagnetic pole

In research: Paleomagnetic pole appears in earth science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Paleomagnetic pole in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Paleomagnetic pole is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Historical geology, Paleomagnetism, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Paleomagnetic pole outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Paleomagnetic pole in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Paleomagnetic pole means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Paleomagnetic pole out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Paleomagnetic pole in simple terms?

Paleomagnetic poles or paleopoles are positions of the geomagnetic poles identified by the study of magnetic fields of the past as recorded in rocks and sediments. Determining paleomagnetic poles Theoretically, paleopoles could be located by measuring paleomagnetism in rocks of similar ages in diff…

Why does Paleomagnetic pole matter?

Because it connects several earth science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Paleomagnetic pole?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Paleomagnetic pole.