What would happen if the Earth's magnetosphere was weakened due to pole reversal and a large solar flare hit?

Answer 1

A solar flare would result if it ever did so then it then causing stronger solar wind would make the earth turn faster and dis align from its current rotaional axis and possibly causing pole reversal by a 180' turn. This would in turn not likely cause direct pole reversal unless the impact was greater. The modern life would evaporate of course, but the magnetosphere would simply realign itself. With the earth spinning faster due to impact, depending on the angle impact occured, it would replenish the ozone and magnetosphere, due to the rapid revolutions it would be rotating in.
Life would again evolve in zillenia.
But then why does a compass dial always point north, and another metal dial on say a watch keeps revolving.

Answer 2

First thing that would happen would be most of the electronics and power grids on Earth would fail. Also, most humans/animals would be subjected to massive amounts of solar radiation. You would also get one heck of a light show from the aurora.

Of course the extent of this damage depends on how weakened the magnetosphere was and how large the solar flare was. If the magnetosphere completely dissapeared, the Earth would basically incinerate.

Answer 3

First, as the normal poles weaken, secondary poles (not near the axial poles) strengthen. Solar radiation would be deflected toward the new "north pole". Second, since the Earth has periodic pole reversals this is not something new. Life has experienced this before and has not perished. Third (and last) pole reversals take tens of thousands of years to complete, giving the sun ample time to emit large solar flares. Wow! Life goes on! Who'd've thunk it?

Answer 4

We would experience a potencialy devasting collapse of much of our electronic infrastructure. Remeber when a flame knocked out the grid in the north east last year, it would be like that only the scale could be different.

Answer 5

We would lose a little atmosphere to space, and electrical systems would be damaged by currents induced into things like power lines.

Answer 6

there goes the lights for a while! and our satelites, navigation equipment, tv, radio, subway, elevators, internet, and anything else electrical and electronic.

Answer 7

well if the poles reversed, birds would not migrate so well, i can tell ya that.