What would happen if Earth's magnetic field reversed?

Answer 1

If the magnetic field of the Earth suddenly changed, and this DOES happen naturally every 250,000 years or so, the consequences would be fascinating. For life, we can see from the fossil record that the past field changes had no significant effect on living organisms. This is most curious because the field reversal ( North magnetic pole shifting to antarctica and the South magnetic pole shifting to the arctic region in the Northern Hemisphere) one might expect the field to go to zero strength for a century or so. This would let cosmic rays freely penetrate to the Earth's surface and cause mutations. This seems not to have had much effect in the past, so we probably don't really know what is going on during these field reversals. There have been a dozen of them over the last few million years, documented in the rock which has emerged and solidified along the mid-Atlantic Ridge where continental plates are slowly separating. These epochs form parallel bands all long the ridge where the rock has stored a fossilized image of the local orientation of the Earth's magnetic field for the last few million years.

Magnetic field wandering would let the aurora borealis occur at any latitude, but other than that there would be no noticeable effects other than changes in the amount of cosmic rays that penetrate to the ground. Even this effect is minimal because we can visit the Arctic and Antarctic and only receive a slight increase in cosmic rays. So long as the strength of the field remains high during this field wandering event, the effects should be pretty benign.

The Earth's magnetic field is believed to be generated by the rotation of the Earth's molten iron-nickel core. The period of field reversal is determined by the rotation rate of the core and its electrical conductivity. If you were to change either one of these, the field orientation, strength and '250,000 year cycle' would be increased or decreased. We also know from studies of the Sun's magnetic dynamo, that this phenomenon can change abruptly as it did during the 'Little Ice Age' on the Earth a few hundred years ago. There were no sunspots observed on the Sun for 50 years or so, then rather abruptly, the familiar 11-year cycle started-up over the course of a few decades.

Answer 2

The earth magnetic field has reversed quite a few times since the earth was formed. The reversal of the earth's magnetic field is recorded in the ferromagnesian rocks, especially those sedimentary rocks. This reversal has helped to elucidate the theory of plate movement proposed by Alfred Wegner. The reversal of the earth's magnetic field becomes one of the many evidences about spreading ocean floor. Nothing will happen.

Answer 3

The Earths magnetic container is so susceptible, I doubt there will be any sensation in any respect. The compasses would aspect opposite to what they do now. What causes an iron magnet to opposite its poles? warmth weakens it, no matter if it is struck through a hammer it would realign opposite. besides the undeniable fact that it needs yet another solid or more beneficial magnet to realign it. The spin of the earth must have some electromagnetic effect on the polar alignment of the magnetic container. basically wondering the idea.

Answer 4

The north pole would become the south pole and the south pole would become the north pole. This happens on a regular basis and the process takes several tens of thousands of years to complete, with secondary dipoles assuming the main dipoles. This does lead to harmful cosmic radiation being directed to the temporary north pole, which is located somewhere else than the cold northern latitudes where life is minimal.

Answer 5

if im not mistaken, i believe it reverses quite frequently, which is caused by the Earth's geodynamo. I dont hink much will hapen, only compass direction will change, and other things that depend on the Earths magnetic feild.

Answer 6

It has quite a few times. Compasses would point in the opposite direction but if the flip took a long long time, we could have higher exposure to solar radiation as the field stayed near zero.

Answer 7

The north and south poles would have to be renamed. Wait! That wouldn't make sense. Oh, OK. You would have to turn compasses upside down to read them. (?) Or would that be sideways? West would be north and east would be west of west. Or is it south of west. But then, where would the equator be?

Answer 8

Flooding, changes in weather patterns and other weather related disasters.

Answer 9

everyones tolit water would spin in the oppisite direction