Zircon Dime (IMAGE)

University of Rochester

Zircon Dime

Caption

In order to determine the past magnetic field direction and intensity, the researchers dated and analyzed zircon crystals collected from sites in Australia. The zircons are about two-tenths of a millimeter and contain even smaller magnetic particles that lock in the magnetization of the earth at the time the zircons were formed. Here, a zircon crystal is placed within the "O" on a dime, for scale.

Credit

University of Rochester / John Tarduno

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