Geophysicists Had to Update the Magnetic Map

[LordOfWizards]

Earth's Magnetic North Pole Was Moving So Fast, Geophysicists Had to Update the Map

From the article:
"Researchers have known since the 1800s that magnetic north isn't static. But in the 1990s, it started moving faster, from just over 9 miles (15 kilometers) a year to about 34 miles (55 km) annually, Chulliat said. Then, in 2018, it took a leap over the international date line and took up residence in the Eastern Hemisphere."

 

[Venusian Broon]

Interesting.

We really have little precise data going back in time and we still have no clear idea how the magnetic field really works, but I believe on geophysical grounds one could be expecting the magnetic field to flip practically any day (in geological terms!)

It could be the magnetic field 'warming up' for this event!

 

[BAYLOR]

Interesting.

We really have little precise data going back in time and we still have no clear idea how the magnetic field really works, but I believe on geophysical grounds one could be expecting the magnetic field to flip practically any day (in geological terms!)

It could be the magnetic field 'warming up' for this event!

The magnet filed is one the components that protects us from the sun. What effect will this have on that?

 

[Venusian Broon]

The magnet filed is one the components that protects us from the sun. What effect will this have on that?

Apparently it flips on average about once every 200,000 years (there's been a big dry spell recently ...) or about 170 times in the past 100 million years.

Hence in general my opinion is that I don't think it really impacts ordinary biological life that much - I don't think there are events - say extinction ones - that can be tied to these flips. It seems to be a normal part of living on the Earth.

However we are now a society that relies on electricity, the first one this planet has had. If there are moments where the field drops dramatically then solar flares could have a good chance of damaging our electrical equipment. Which would be costly and could have knock on effects that are bad.

Having said that, many of our important systems now have safety precautions that are supposed to deal with such events (although I can't tell you if they can handle all eventualities, probably not!)

 

[Graymalkin]

@BAYLOR I just read that the atmosphere confers more protection than the magnetosphere. There have been several magnetic reversals over the period of hominid/human evolution without any obvious effects. Unless your Magneto I shouldn't worry. I think one estimate gives us about 1500 years anyway.
Shucks VB beat me to it and way more thoroughly

 

[Venusian Broon]

@BAYLOR I just read that the atmosphere confers more protection than the magnetosphere. There have been several magnetic reversals over the period of hominid/human evolution without any obvious effects. Unless your Magneto I shouldn't worry. I think one estimate gives us about 1500 years anyway.
Shucks VB beat me to it and way more thoroughly

I guess it is because solar flares are random and therefore there is always a good chance that Earth is nowhere near them when they happen. So the atmosphere does a great job at shielding 'the simple stuff'!

The other negative thing that springs to mind is that if there is no magnetic field that could lead to the sun 'blowing away' parts of our atmosphere (see Mars). However I think to have a noticeable effect we'd probably need to lose the magnetic field for 10s of millions of years. Which seems unlikely.

 

[Graymalkin]

I guess it is because solar flares are random and therefore there is always a good chance that Earth is nowhere near them when they happen. So the atmosphere does a great job at shielding 'the simple stuff'!

The other negative thing that springs to mind is that if there is no magnetic field that could lead to the sun 'blowing away' parts of our atmosphere (see Mars). However I think to have a noticeable effect we'd probably need to lose the magnetic field for 10s of millions of years. Which seems unlikely.

I don't want to hijack the thread or @Venusian Broon but ... are you aware of any signs that the earth's magnetic field strength has been much higher at some point in the past and could there be any negative implications in that? cheers

 

[Venusian Broon]

I'm pumping iron at the moment , but that's a fascinating question.

One assumes that the magnetic field must stop at some time - when the core gets cool enough so perhaps temperature has an effect on the strength and it intuitively should decline! - a hot young earth having a higher field - I wonder if there is any evidence...

 

[Graymalkin]

I'll look for the book where I came across the idea. I think it may be classed as fringe or pseudoscience but hey, interesting things occur along the border...

Good luck with the iron. I pump oak, beech and sycamore (as in I have a gym set up in my local woods. Nearest actual fitness/sports centre/gym is seven miles away.)

 

[LordOfWizards]

I've seen reports that say Mars once had a magnetic field like Earth's and that it cooled down to the point that the field collapsed perhaps a billion years ago or more. That said, Mars is about half the size of Earth, and has only about 11% of Earth's mass*. So it would tend to lose heat much quicker than Earth. (I doubt we should worry about losing our magnetic field anytime soon).

* Mars Compared to Earth - Universe Today

 

[J Riff]

I think it's almost done. Don't flip out, magnetic pole! Stay calm!