What does paleomagnetism provide evidence for?

Paleomagnetism provides crucial evidence for the changing location of the magnetic north pole over geological time. This scientific field studies the magnetic properties of rocks, particularly those formed in the past. When igneous rocks solidify, they lock in the Earth's magnetic field direction at that time, which can be later analyzed to track how the magnetic poles have shifted. Through studies of these rocks, scientists have determined that the Earth’s magnetic field has undergone numerous reversals and movements, which indicates that the position of the magnetic north pole is not fixed. This understanding of paleomagnetism has significantly contributed to the theory of plate tectonics by demonstrating how continental drift affects the orientation of the magnetic field in different locations over millions of years.

While other choices touch on important geological concepts, they do not encapsulate the primary evidence that paleomagnetism provides. The fixed position of continents, stability of oceanic crust, and permanence of landforms are not supported by the field of paleomagnetism in the same way as the movement of the magnetic north pole is.