Geomagnetic Polarity Reversal
Definition - What does Geomagnetic Polarity Reversal mean?
Geomagnetic Polarity Reversal, also known as magnetic reversal sequence is the periodic switching of the earth’s magnetic north and south poles due to the movement of fluids around the earth's core. The duration and onset of various episodes of the reversed polarity are documented by exploring the polarity of magnetic minerals. The magnetic materials are within the rocks of distinct ages from all over the world, notably in the igneous rocks or the basalts of the oceanic crust.
Petropedia explains Geomagnetic Polarity Reversal
A change in the earth's magnetic field results in the switching of the north and south poles in a way that magnetic south is aligned with the geographic north and magnetic north is aligned with the geographical south. This leads to geomagnetic polarity reversal. The oceanic basalts record the magnetic field of the Earth while they solidify from the molten lava uniformly on the mid-oceanic ridges. This data is compiled to create a time scale called geomagnetic polarity time scale. The wellbore recordings allow the direct correlation to geomagnetic polarity time scale and well-to-well correlations.