Earth’s magnetic pole reversal is happening faster than we previously thought – A new research in 2020 suggests

Written by LeBert Sam | Updated: August 12, 2020 7:53:02 pm

The invisible force around our earth made the existence of life possible on earth. This invisible force is nothing but the magnetic field which has been the guardian of the earth. The earth’s magnetic field is generated from the molten iron core, which is 3000km below our surface.

Pole reversal is happening!

The magnetic field at the surface is 0.25 – 0.65 Gauss, where at the center of the core the field is estimated to be 50 Gauss (Typical Iron magnet is 100 Gauss). This magnetic field forms protective shielding around our earth from the magnetic north pole to the south pole which protects us from the harmful radiations coming from the outer space.

This magnetic field is constantly undergoing changes in its strength and direction. A geomagnetic pole reversal is the shifting of the magnetic north pole to the magnetic south pole and vice versa. The magnetic field reversal (pole reversal) is estimated to be happening a few times every million years.

You may wonder how scientists are estimating the changes in the magnetic field, which happened a million years ago. The clue exists in old sedimentary rocks and minerals. During the formation of these rocks, the magnetic field direction of the atoms in the rocks can lock in the direction of the earth’s magnetic field. By analyzing the old rocks scientist can effectively study the behavior of the earth’s magnetic field at that time.

The wild changes in the convective molten outer iron core are the main reason for the Pole reversal event. Previously, paleomagnetic studies have estimated that a rapid shift of 1° /year of magnetic field shift is occurring. But, a recent paper published in nature communications has estimated a 10 times larger shift (10° /year )that the previous study.

The research team led by Christopher Davies, Associate professor, University of Leeds, used a computer-based model to stimulate the field shift based on the field generation process. They compiled the measured magnetic field data of sediments and rocks spanning the last 100,000 years. The fastest change in the magnetic field is associated with the locally weak field. During the pole reversal process, the magnetic field lines will be more complex and weak even there are possibilities of the formation of multiple magnetic poles.

Why should we be worried?

Nowadays, satellites are used to track the changes in the earth’s magnetic field, which will give us new insight. A magnetic reversal is a normal process in the geology of the earth, which won’t pose any threat to the life forms. Humans managed to survive a short (or failed) pole reversal called the ‘Laschamp event,’ which happened 41,000 years ago.

Since our modern life is dependent on electronic equipment, such an event during our time would cause a blackout. During the reversal, the charged particles from the outer space can easily enter our earth’s atmosphere and can disrupt the function of our satellites, electronics power grids. Just imagine our world going into total blackout. This would create trillions of dollar loss to all the countries. This event may unlikely to happen during our lifetime, but it will happen in the next thousands of years for sure.

Watch the video – First time in history: Detecting the earth’s magnetic field in 586 BCE

So what do you think about it? Is there any rapid pole reversing coming on our time? This question will remain unanswered until we discover more about this event. Researchers around the globe are looking for a possible explanation using computer simulations. We still have a long way to go.

Also read, NEW SKY EVENT ALERT: When and where to watch Perseid meteor shower 2020 in India