A REVIEW OF MARINE GEOMAGNETISM

The publication in 1963 of the Vine-Matthews theory of symmetrical magnetic lineations about mid-ocean ridges caused a rapid reappraisal of the value of the magnetometer as a geophysical tool. A review is given of the development of marine magnetic surveys from the first reported profile made with a towed magnetometer (Heezen et al., 1953) up to the present day. The results of magnetic surveys over continental margins and island arcs are reported, followed by a review of the earlier work over mid-ocean ridges and rifts. The major part of the review traces the development of sea-floor spreading models in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, the Red Sea and, finally, in the Mediterranean. © 1969.