Is "flipping" of the Earths magnetic field associated with mass extinctions?

Question

Does the process where the magnetic field of the earth flips over result in difficulties for life on earth?

Answer 1

No. There have been five mass extinctions in the Phanerozoic Eon (at the ends of the Cambrian, Ordovician, Devonian, Permian and Cretaceous Periods) and there (probably) have been a thousand polar reversals in the same time frame. That gives about 200 polar reversals for every extinction. Polar reversals occur about every 300,000 years (and there is wide variability in this average) with the reversal taking place over an average of 60,000 years. During the reversal, secondary dipoles assume the roles of the primary dipoles. There is never a time when the Earth is without its magnetic field, as this would require a fundamental change in the physical state of the Earth's core, which is where the magnetic field originates. Any difficulties for life would be localized and (relatively speaking) short-lived.

Answer 2

The short answer is "no".

As for the long answer:
When geologists learned of the fact that the magnetic field flipped there was much speculation on this point as, at the time, it was beleived that a reversal would leave the earth without much of a magnetic field for roughly 10,000 years. The evidence, however, does not support this line of thought as the magnetic field flips far more often than major extinction events occur. In addition, relatively recently there has been some data indicating that this idea of 10,000 years may be wrong and that a reversal can occur much more quickly.

Answer 3

No one is really sure if polar reversing causes mass extinction. It would certainly be the end of many migratory animals.

Answer 4

No, it was a flood that resulted in mass extinctions.