Author Question: Briefly explain why the movement of continents over geologic time was the best explanation for polar ... (Read 89 times)

jhjkgdfhk · **on:** Jul 15, 2018

Briefly explain why the movement of continents over geologic time was the best explanation for polar
wandering. What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Briefly explain why apparent polar wandering is apparent. What will be an ideal response?

jennafosdick · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 15, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Since the Earth has only one magnetic north pole now, it is extremely unlikely that there would have
been more than one in the past, but this would have been required to explain the different polar wander
paths of the different continents. The only other possible explanation is that the continents were once
joined and have since moved.

Answer to Question 2

Paleomagnetic studies of ancient rocks point to different locations for the north pole at different times.
When this is mapped out, it makes the pole appear to wander over time. The alternative to a wandering
magnetic pole, for which there is no other evidence at all, is that the continents move and, with them,
the rocks that contain the paleomagnetic data.