Shifting core may have accelerated land movements

[Ivan Seeking]

Seven hundred million years ago our planet experienced sudden contortions that sent whole continents flying across the equator in just a few million years. This idea has been controversial, but is now on a much firmer footing after a new analysis of magnetic signatures in ancient rocks. [continued]

http://www.nature.com/nsu/040517/040517-13.html

 

[Andre]

Good catch Ivan Seeking.

There has been some controversy indeed about this phenomenon of the True Polar Wander.

The main objective, magnetic orientation, is however a circular reasoning.

Continental drift is derived from three dimensional magnetic orientation of rock core samples. This way the lattitude of the sample can be estimated, when it was formed with the prior assumption that the magnetic pole would also be the geographic pole.

Now if somebody assumes that the whole mantle- lithosphere wandered around, the magnetic orientation is used to "refute" it. So how does that work: the refuter -uses the calculated latitude of the samples (unaware of how it was calculated) to show the position of the magnetic North Pole assuming that this would be identical to the Geographic North pole. And of course things add up exactly.
So as a result he sees not a trace of a True Polar Wander. No wonder, since it's circular reason. A used to get B. B used to get A.

BTW The current magnetic Soutph Pole is not even within the southern (ant)Arctic circle.

 

[ravenprp]

The theory of shifting core and its potential impact on land movements is a fascinating and controversial topic. The idea that continents could have been sent flying across the equator in a relatively short period of time is quite remarkable to consider.

This new analysis of magnetic signatures in ancient rocks provides a much firmer footing for the theory, which is an exciting development for the scientific community. It is important to continue studying and analyzing this data in order to gain a better understanding of the processes that may have occurred 700 million years ago.

If this theory is indeed true, it could have significant implications for our understanding of the Earth's history and the forces that shape our planet. It may also provide insight into potential future land movements and how they could impact our world.

However, it is also important to approach this topic with caution and continue to gather more evidence and data before drawing any definitive conclusions. The scientific community must continue to collaborate and share their findings in order to further advance our understanding of this complex and intriguing phenomenon.