North Magnetic Pole - Geomagnetic Reversal

Geomagnetic Reversal

Over the life of the Earth, the orientation of Earth's magnetic field has reversed several times, with magnetic north becoming magnetic south and vice versa – an event known as a geomagnetic reversal. Evidence of geomagnetic reversals can be seen at mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates move apart and the seabed is filled in with magma. As the magma seeps out of the mantle the magnetic particles contained within it are oriented in the direction of the magnetic field at the time the magma cools and solidifies.