What phenomenon explains the orientation of metals in magma aligning with Earth's magnetic field?

The phenomenon that explains the orientation of metals in magma aligning with Earth's magnetic field is paleomagnetism. This process involves the alignment of magnetic minerals within molten rock as it cools and solidifies. When magma rises to the surface and begins to cool, iron-bearing minerals within the magma become magnetized in accordance with the direction of Earth's magnetic field at that time. As the magma solidifies into rock, these minerals retain their magnetic orientation, effectively "freezing" a record of Earth's magnetic field at that moment.

Paleomagnetism is crucial for understanding the history of plate tectonics and the movement of continents, as it provides evidence for how the magnetic field has changed over geological time. This record helps scientists reconstruct the past positions of the continents and the behavior of Earth's magnetic field, thereby illuminating the dynamic processes shaping our planet.

Other concepts listed, such as plate tectonics, thermal convection, and geothermal activity, pertain to different aspects of geological and hydrological phenomena, but they do not specifically address the mechanism by which the magnetic alignment of minerals in magma occurs as it cools.