If Magnetic Field protects us from cosmic ray, Why didn't Magnetic Field Reversal kill all the animals/plants? There are several Magnetic field reversals which reduced Magnetic field to almost zero.
2007-07-10 11:00:01 · 4 answers · asked by rap1zip1 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
There definitely was an impact on living things on the planet. Cosmic rays (and mostly high energy ionised particules coming from the solar wind) cause cancers. But as these reversals didn't last too long, there was no massive extinctions.
Some even believe it triggered mutations that favorised the diversity required for evolution.
2007-07-10 11:08:16 · answer #1 · answered by Kilohn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's believed that the reversals last only a few days, and it's not a purely vertical inversion as you might expect. The magnetic 'north' pole actually migrates down the 'side' of the planet before settling in the 'south'. The magnetic field never disappears, it simply rotates.
2007-07-10 18:05:31 · answer #2 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Magnetic field reversals reversed the polarity of the "terrestrial" magnet. It did not run it down to zero.
2007-07-10 18:04:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it happens it will purge the world.
2007-07-10 19:33:53 · answer #4 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋