If so, does this inversion come about suddenly or is it progressive?
2006-10-28 15:09:06 · 7 answers · asked by Alex S 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Yes the earth does reverse it's magnetic poles in time.
A geomagnetic reversal is a change in the orientation of Earth's magnetic field such that the positions of magnetic north and magnetic south become interchanged. These events, which typically last a few hundred to a few thousands years, often involve an extended decline in field strength followed by a rapid recovery after the new orientation has been established.
Scientific opinion is divided on what causes geomagnetic reversals. Many scientists believe that reversals are an inherent aspect of the dynamo theory of how the geomagnetic field is generated. In computer simulations, it is observed that magnetic field lines can sometimes become tangled and disorganized through the chaotic motions of liquid metal in the Earth's core.
In some simulations, this leads to an instability in which the magnetic field spontaneously flips over into the opposite orientation. This scenario is supported by observations of the solar magnetic field, which undergoes spontaneous reversals every 7-15 years (see: solar cycle). However, with the sun it is observed that the solar magnetic intensity greatly increases during a reversal, whereas all reversals on Earth seem to occur during periods of low field strength.
2006-10-28 15:14:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does. The evidence has been found in the direction of polarization of rock layers. The bad news is that during the 100 to 1000 or so years that it takes to reverse there is a period that our magnetic field is very weak and the magnetic field is what protects the earth from solar radiation. A long period without protection from the radiation could be catastrophic for animal life.
2006-10-28 19:32:40 · answer #2 · answered by the_buccaru 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The magnetic poles are the two positions on earth's floor the place the magnetic field is actual vertical. yet otherwise of asserting it extremely is that the inclination of the Earth's field is ninety° on the North Magnetic Pole and -ninety° on the South Magnetic Pole.The places of the magnetic poles are no longer static yet they wander as much as fifteen km in keeping with annum . the two poles wander independently of another and are not at without delay opposite positions on the globe. at present the magnetic south pole is further from the geographic south pole than the magnetic north pole is from the geographic north pole.
2016-11-26 01:32:21 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In science, very few things are actually proven. There is very strong evidence to support the inversions of polarity, but it is not proven. That's the thing about science. There are very few facts. Most things that we learn about in science class as "facts" are actually theories. Many theories have extremely stong evidence to support them, but can not be proven 100% without a doubt to be true.
And scientists don't know if the change is sudden or progressive.
2006-10-30 15:53:39 · answer #4 · answered by greenfrisbee_2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes by observing magnetic stones
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2006-10-28 20:17:27 · answer #5 · answered by Thermo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-10-28 15:16:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and Yes, it could happen in your lifetime, it is due now!
2006-10-28 15:14:41 · answer #7 · answered by tattie_herbert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋