why will the Earths magnetic poles aventually reverse?

Answer 1

It all happens in the earth's molten metal core. The theory of the generation of the net equatorial electric current, which generates the dipole magnetic field, is that it is a residual imbalance from lots of much stronger shorter current loops which interact and feed back into each other in uncomputable ways. It's like a chaotic system - a tiny internal change can cause a big external one. The historical evidence, as other posters have said, is that the system has enough inertia to keep its net dipole direction stable for about 100,000 years at a time, although the intensity varies over that period. At Newcastle-on-Tyne in the early 1960's, two experimenters constructed a simple mechanical model with two rotors, whose nett magnetic polarity was seen to oscillate smoothly but unpredictably even though the rotors were going at constant speed.

Answer 2

Because the Earth's magnetic field arises in the unstable patterns of fluid flow in the core, it changes direction at irregular intervals. In recent geologic history it may have switched direction about every 200,000 years. Any kind of geologic deposit (e.g.: lava flows, layered muds) put down over time will thus have different layers magnetized in opposing directions, recording the magnetic field direction as it was when the layer solidified. Geophysicists can measure the changes in direction to make a magnetostratigraphy for the deposit.

At oceanic spreading centers new ocean floor is being created constantly and slowly moved away from the rift. The farther the rock is from the rift, the older it is, and it will also show the magnetic reversals like a tape recording.

Answer 3

It has to do with the cause of the magnetic poles. The earths molten core rotates slightly slower that the rest of the planet. This creates the magnetic poles. If a large object were to strike the earth, the shock waves would disrupt this rotation. When the shock waves passed, the rotation would eventually resume. During the disruption there would be no north or south magnetic poles. After normal core rotation resumed, the north and south poles would reestablish themselves randomly. This means that there is a 50% chance that the poles would reverse themselves.

Answer 4

hi, so uve heard about the mid oceanic ridges right, and the change in the magnetic field as you move out from the source.

I would have to say maybe.

So far, we have explored, some 25% of the sea bed... something like that... we are allways finding new things.

You have to remember, that the actual internal structure oif the earth isnt known, its all just guess work, nobody has actually been in there.

I would say, due to some scientific mess, people have got something fundamentally wrong, to do with how our planets core works. I think its more plausible, but doesnt mean it wont happen...

Answer 5

Any magnetic field can be reversed by changing its polarity'
All you need is an electric current.
The earth's existing fields could move closer together then perhaps a nuclear weapon might do it, but I wouldn't want to be around after.
There wouldn't be a single computer chip that was functional, if it wasn't burnt out.

Answer 6

on account that our magnetic container performs a function as cosmic forcefield in blockading maximum radiation from area, with the shifting of the fields, radiations ought to attain the floor of the earth to instill maximum cancers and impact existence and the international probable negatively.

Answer 7

There's a cracking novel about this called The Hab Theory. Very much based on a book call Cataclysms of the Earth. Very interesting, but a bit hokum if you ask me!

Answer 8

no one knows if the poles will eventually reverse

geological evidence implies they have reversed before so they may well reverse again

the magnetic north focal point is moving

many geologists believe it is a cycle that will repeat itself including a full reversal of the field

Answer 9

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that they have in the past, so the smart money is betting that they will again at some point in the future.

Lots of theories as to why, but no general consensus as yet.


Doug

Answer 10

it's suppose to be some kind of phenomena that that isn't fully under stood yet it happen every couple million years but it's long off due for a next.