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Science 2 December 1966:
Vol. 154. no. 3753, pp. 1164 - 1171
DOI: 10.1126/science.154.3753.1164
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Articles

Magnetic Anomalies over the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge

W. C. Pitman III 1 and J. R. Heirtzler 1

1 Lamont Geological Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York

Four magnetic profiles across the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge reveal magnetic anomalies that show trends parallel with the ridge axis and symmetry about the ridge axis. The distribution of bodies that could cause these anomalies supports the Vine and Matthews hypothesis for the generation of patterns of magnetic anomalies associated with the midocean ridge system. The geometry of the bodies accords with the known reversals of the geomagnetic field during the last 3.4 million years, indicating a spreading rate of the ocean floor of 4.5 centimeters per year. If one assume that the spreading rate within 500 kilometers of the ridge axis has been constant, reversals of the geomagnetic field during the last 10.0 million years can be determined. This new, detailed history of field reversals accords with observed anomalies over Reykjanes Ridge in the North Atlantic if a spreading rate of 1 centimeter per year is assumed there.


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