Do the Earths magnetic poles switch every few hundred year?

Answer 1

It's actually every 200,000 years. Here's some info for you to read;

Pole reversals take time

Pole reversals take place with intervals of about 200.000 years and even though the reversal takes place over a span of a thousand years the dynamics of the changes to the magnetic field have practical consequences. The Earth’s magnetic field forms a shield that protects against harmful cosmic radiation from space. The weaker the magnetic field is the greater the danger is to be exposed to the harmful cosmic radiation. This doesn’t mean that we have to start worrying about the strength of the magnetic field and plan our vacations accordingly.


”When there are solar eruptions the Earth’s magnetic field determines where in space you encounter a risk of being exposed to dangerous cosmic radiation,” says Eigil Friis-Christensen, Director of the Danish National Space Center.


”This is why the changes to the Earth’s magnetic field are important to astronauts who are sent out on space walks on a space station or for satellites carrying sensitive instruments. Here the maps of the magnetic field can tell you which orbits are safe and the ones you should avoid.”


The link is posted below.

Answer 2

A standard naming system for the poles of magnets is important. Historically, the terms north and south reflect awareness of the relationship between magnets and the earth's magnetic field. A freely suspended magnet will eventually orient itself north-to-south, because of its attraction to the north and south magnetic poles of the earth. The end of a magnet that points toward the Earth's geographic North Pole is labeled as the north pole of the magnet; correspondingly, the end that points south is the south pole of the magnet.

The Earth's current geographic north is thus actually its magnetic south. Confounding the situation further, magnetised rocks on the ocean floor show that the Earth's magnetic field has reversed itself in the past, so this system of naming is likely to be backward at some time in the future.

Fortunately, by using an electromagnet and the right hand rule, the orientation of the field of a magnet can be defined without reference to the Earth's geomagnetic field.

To avoid the confusion between geographic and magnetic north and south poles, the terms positive and negative are sometimes used for the poles of a magnet. The positive pole is that which seeks geographical north.

Answer 3

No, they switch (on average) every 200,000 years. Since we are long overdue for a switch (the last one being 700,000 years ago) get ready for the next one. Of course, it takes about 20,000 years for the switch to take place, so you won't be around to see it finish.

Answer 4

The poles switch, but over timescales much longer than 100s of years. I can't remember how long off the top of my head.

Answer 5

i don't know about the time frame or why it happens but it is true that, according to geological records, the earth's magnetic pole has reversed in the past.

Answer 6

On average it is about every 200,000 years. The last one was 700,000 years ago so we are somewhat overdue for one.