A pilot looking down at her plane controls and realizing magnetic north is hovering somewhere over Antarctica may sound like a scene from a science-fiction movie, but new research suggests the idea isn't so far-fetched in the relatively near future.
A magnetic field shift is old news. Around 800,000 years ago, magnetic north hovered over Antarctica and reindeer lived in magnetic south. The poles have flipped several times throughout Earth's history. Scientists have estimated that a flip cycle starts with the magnetic field weakening over the span of a few thousand years, then the poles flip and the field springs back up to full strength again. However, a new study shows that the last time the Earth's poles flipped, it only took 100 years for the reversal to happen.
Im not really sure how this will effect us and all the inhabitants of the earth.It would surely effect our technological advances our sense of direction , even our time zones. I wonder what the population was on earth the last time this happened .
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/10/21/earth-magnetic-field-could-flip-in-our-lifetime/
This would be cool to experience, but could be a hassle. Quentin Noble 2
ReplyDeleteNo one is entirely sure what could happen when the poles switch. The estimated effects vary from from slight seasonal changes to calamitous destruction. Hopefully it won't be the latter.
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting, but it could bring about a number of issues.
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy to think of how short human existence has been around compared to the rest of the earth. Hopefully if the poles do change the effects won't be catastrophic.
ReplyDelete