Is the earth losing its magnetic field??

Question

If the earths core cools and freezes, the earth would lose its magnetic field and we would go the way of mars. Is this likely to happen??

Answer 1

Yes, slowly. We are heading for a magnetic pole reversal in x years. Could be a decade, could be a thousand years. Alll that is know is that the field has weakened some 10% in 10 years.

Answer 2

Not in a timescale that would worry you, ever. The inner core of the Earth, although probably at 5 000oK or more,
is under such pressure that it is solid. It is almost entirely iron,
perhaps alloyed with some nickel. As the Earth cools, the inner core slowly grows. It is actually freezing at a rate of about a thousand tons per second. That seems fast but, after 4.5 billion years, still only 4% of the total core has solidified, so the Earth is likely to have a magnetic field for billions of years to come. It is this freezing process which keeps the outer core in motion. In addition to heat released from the decay of radioactive elements, heat is released by the freezing process. Also, lighter impurities in the outer core are left behind as the iron freezes and these float upwards through the outer core, stirring it up. All this results in eddy-like motions in the outer core, and where eddies converge and diverge, the magnetic field is intensified or rarefied. In spite of the screening effect of the mantle, such magnetic anomalies can sometimes be detected at the surface. For more information on this topic do a search on Geodynamo, or alternatively for the full text of this paper go to - http://www.absw.org.uk/Briefings/earth.htm

Answer 3

Well there are things called 'Polar switches' or 'Polar realignment'. This occurs every so many millions of years, during which the poles literally flip-flop (North becomes South and visa versa). For a brief span (possible a hundred thousand years) there would be no magnetic field. This would cause problems with electronics on Earth. Furthermore, the magnetic field prevents charged particles from reaching earth. If a large solar flare coincided with the absent magnetic pole, huge amounts of radiation and other particles could reach the Earth. This is one popular theory for the 2012 'doomsday'

Answer 4

must be due to global warming right!?
I don't think it is believed that the earth inner core is going to freeze though...go to this site to learn more apparently it is a normal effect of what goes on inside the earth, they have found that the field is always in a constant state of change it would be a neat thing to see happen but if it does start there is no way we would actually see the end result...now that would be a time to live in. All that really happens is North and South end up in different geographical locations from where they are now...I knew nothing of this before reading this article and I suggest you do the same it is interesting and not too long and drug out either.

Answer 5

The Earth is a considerably larger body than Mars, and billions of tons of hot magma take a *very* long time to cool down - i.e. billions of years - so we have nothing to worry about on that score for the foreseeable future. Whether we have a magnetic *reversal* (i.e. a flip in the polarity of the Earth's magnetic field) is another matter entirely, and that has happened numerous times throughout geological time and it will inevitably happen again. It could be any time.

Answer 6

Definitely it will soon in geological time; but not now.
The universe is very much alive and never static. There is a lot taking place. Our earth is changing form as pertains to loosing it's magnetic field as do other planets.
it will come but not in our time. After reaching zero it will again start counting in the reverse way,this will mean the magnetic field now moving from the south to the north.

Answer 7

every 22,000 years the earth's magnetic fields reverse from one pole to the other. It is probably true that we are due for one of these reversals, but I am not sure when the last one occurred. I believe it could cause a lot of problems, but I don't forsee the earth turning into a Mars type situation in the near future!

Answer 8

Yes it certainly is.
People have being making measurements for many years.
Also, archaeological measurements show that the field was 40% stronger in AD 1000 than today.

Theis is strong evidence that the earth is young, for if you extrapolate backwards, a very strong magnetic field is not conducive to life.

Answer 9

I had a quick browse in the creationist website thingy. What a load of old rubbish! The earth is only 10,000 year old? OK now here is one for you. Explain coal formation. You cannot conceivably convert vegetable matter into anthracite in 10,000 years.No way no how Oh sorry I forgot, coal is not made from ancient forests, God put the coal in the ground for mans own use!

Answer 10

Always theories.

Actually within our existence and next milion of years, Earth will not loose its magnetic field. Ther are almways theories without mathematic comprobation because there are no system (not accessible one) in earth capable to simulate the intrincated and complex magnetic field.

There is inversion and it happens in a progressive way. There is no ZERO point. Small portions of areas have their inversions within hemispheres and are growing in a progressivelly way.