Earth's magnetic field collapsing!

Ned · December 12, 2003, 14:08

The Earth's magnetic field has fallen 10% since 1845. It could vanish and then reverse itself. But during the interim, the Earth would be exposed to deadly radiation. This could be a lot worse than global warming.

Also, note that the reduction begain aroung 1845. This coincides with the end of the little ice age. Is there a cause and effect relationship?

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science....ap/index.html

Japher · December 12, 2003, 14:23

I saw the Core, we have nothing to worry about until the birds start attacking!

Winston · December 12, 2003, 14:25

What's even scarier, just a couple of hours ago the Sun disappeared completely! I mean it literally vanished, and now it's pitch dark outside. I've got a bad feeling about this.

alva · December 12, 2003, 14:27

Hey, that happened here aswell

, that cannot be a coincedence, can it?!?!?!?

Japher · December 12, 2003, 14:28

The sun is up here, so don't worry... Though it is a little hazy

, couldn't be the fog though, could it?

General Ludd · December 12, 2003, 14:29

Sun's still working on my side of the planet.

You Euros just can't get anything right, I guess.

Q Classic · December 12, 2003, 14:29

it must be bush's fault. and when the field reverses, maybe then unfair taxes will be profits.

Spec · December 12, 2003, 14:30

NOOO!! The birds are attacking!! Must take cover fast!!

AAARrrgggg......

Sp....

Richelieu · December 12, 2003, 14:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Osweld
Sun's still working on my side of the planet.

You Euros just can't get anything right, I guess.

Yeah, but who turned off the heat?

Japher · December 12, 2003, 14:32

"Yeah, but who turned off the heat?"

Probably the same guy who stole the moon...

Mercator · December 12, 2003, 14:33

My compass will work correctly again then... Unless they decide to swap the names North and South along with the polarity.

ixnay · December 12, 2003, 14:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Japher
I saw the Core, we have nothing to worry about until the birds start attacking!

HACK THE PLANET

Asmodean · December 12, 2003, 15:05

I am probably the only one to do a serious answer to this question:

All research indicates that a reversing of Earth's magnetic field is indeed imminent. What scientists cannot agree upon is how long this will take. Some scientists believe that it can take place inside 1 or 2 years, others that it is a lengthier process.

But none of the research that I have seen on this subject indicates that the magnetic field should diminish a part of this process.

But who knows??

The magnetic field is created a a result of a layer of molten lava turning around a solid iron core, so unless you want to go down there and take measurements, your guess is as good as mine

Asmodean

Zopperoni · December 12, 2003, 15:06

Quote:

At that rate of decline, the field could vanish altogether in 1,500 to 2,000 years, said Jeremy Bloxham of Harvard University.

The Y4K problem.

Japher · December 12, 2003, 15:07

Are you blaming Bill Gates?

Zopperoni · December 12, 2003, 15:11

I'm blaming the Gregorians.

Q Classic · December 12, 2003, 15:14

chant with me.

Asmodean · December 12, 2003, 15:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Q Cubed
chant with me.

java chant

Shogun Gunner · December 12, 2003, 15:32

By the way, in examining continental drift, scientists are able to determine how often the magnetic field has "flipped". I think its been determined that the magnetic pole has flipped hundreds of times in the Earth's history as a conservative estimate. Interestingly, it isn't on a regular interval. Sometimes it was a matter of years before it flipped...sometimes it took thousands of years.

Between Europe and North America, those plates are moving away from each other, so the Atlantic gets wider by a few inches every year. Scientists take samples of rock from the crack between the plate and can see the orientation of the iron atoms. The magnetic orientation alternates as the older rock (moving away from the crack between the two plates).

Yes, I said "crack" a few times there. I'm sure a few of you were giggling to yourself each time.

Well, South America, Southern Africa and Australia can take comfort. Soon you will be the northern hemisphere and we will all flip our maps around.

Q Classic · December 12, 2003, 15:34

"crack" isn't as funny as having a dorm building named "babcock" on a street named "bever".

Provost Harrison · December 12, 2003, 15:35

What rubbish...next you'll be telling me the earth is round

Provost Harrison · December 12, 2003, 15:38

Oh the field is probably just going to reverse polarity or something like that. I very much doubt the earth's magnetic field is going to disappear. It will probably surge again. And besides we've got the Van Halen belt...do we have an Iron Maiden belt too?

Ned · December 12, 2003, 16:29

Do sarcastic types truly understand the problems caused by radiation that today is deflected by the magnetic field?

BTW, when was the last reversal?

And, do we have any evidence of what happened to plants and animals during reversals that lasted a relatively long time?

MrFun · December 12, 2003, 16:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Asmodean
I am probably the only one to do a serious answer to this question:

All resaerch indicates that a reversing of Earth's magnetic field is indeed imminent. What scientists cannot agree upon is how long this will take. Some scientists believe that it can take place inside 1 or tow years, others that it is a lengthier process.

But none of the research that I have seen on this subject indicates that the magnetic field should diminish a part of this process.

But who knows??

The magnetic field is created a a result of a layer of molten lave turning around a solid iron core, so unless you want to go down there and take meausrements, your guess is as good as mine

Asmodean

Can I pick which Apolytoner to send down there?

Ned · December 12, 2003, 16:50

As to the correlation between the mini ice age and the beginning of the reduction of the field, could this be caused by the sun increasing its drag on the core by some sort of increased solar activity?

Does anyone here have a degree in astrophysics?

Thue · December 12, 2003, 17:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Asmodean
All resaerch indicates that a reversing of Earth's magnetic field is indeed imminent. What scientists cannot agree upon is how long this will take. Some scientists believe that it can take place inside 1 or tow years, others that it is a lengthier process.

The article says it is likely not to happen. But yeah, it's CNN

.

Jaguar · December 12, 2003, 18:19

If it happens in 1500 years or later, we'll definitely be zooming around space, (

) but it will be sad if we lose our home planet.

Shogun Gunner · December 12, 2003, 18:23

I'm not a scientist, but I remember reading something on the subject that speculates that the flipping doesn't cause the magnetic field to disappear, just the polarity switching (as mentioend before).

Actually, it is this magnetic field that protects the earth from space debris, cosmic rays and the such. You are right on about that Ned. I don't believe the earth would be unprotected by a magnetic field polarity flip.

Ned · December 12, 2003, 18:25

All we "know" is that the field has declined by 10% in 150 years. What happens next and how soon is unknowable since we do not understand what is going on precisely. However, I noted the seeming correlation with the end to the mini ice age. This seems to indicate that the might be some interaction with the sun, such as marked increase in huge solar flares that do affect the magnetic field. We just experienced quite a few major flares in the last month. Could they be acting to slow the rotation of our core?

So far, this is just speculation on my part. I was hoping to hear from some members of the forum with the proper scientific background to discuss this issue.

mrmitchell · December 12, 2003, 18:28

Same reply as the other thread.

We don't have to be afraid of ~~computers~~ magnetic field collapse. We'll always be our own greatest threat.