Will the poles "flip" magnetically and if so, in what sort of time scale?

Answer 1

Yes they will. They have flipped a number of times through the earths history.

Scientists generally agree the the process has started. The magnetic pole is moving at 14 kilometres a year but this may have nothing to do with the flip.

The mid Atlantic anomaly is growing and fluctuating which is probably a better guide. This is where the magnetic flux is actually flowing in the wrong direction! There are other smaller anomalies.

At one time the North pole was under the Sahara.

Although science recognises that it has happened a number of times before there is no idea of time scale. Whether it happens in minutes, days weeks years, hundreds or thousands of years.

A flip would certainly put navigation, satellites and a host of other things that are pole related to set positions. It is also likely that a quick switch in magnetic flux may effect and damage electrical equipment particularly computers etc.

Short answer - it will happen - it has started - no one has any inkling whatsoever of the time scale.

Answer 2

Yes, poles flip but with no regular schedule and as of right now scientists do not understand the mechanisms by which it happens. They know that it does happen by measuring magnetically charged particles in formerly liquid magma. These particles align to the north and south while the magma is still liquid, and then become locked in place when the lava solidifies. So by looking at very old magma there is a record of which direction North and South were in the past. The last time the North Pole was the South Pole was 740,000 years ago.

On Earth, these changes vary in period from about 5,000 years to 50,000,000 years. However, the Sun's magnetic poles flip about every 11 years like clockwork. Again, no one knows why.

Answer 3

Yes, they've flipped quite a few times before but no one knows when the next flip will happen or how long it will take.