will the earth go through a pole shift in 2012 and what will that mean to everyone. What will happen?

Answer 1

No. The sun is scheduled for a magnetic shift in that year.
The sun reverses its magnetic field like clockwork every eleven years at the peak of the sunspot cycle. The next solar flip is due in 2012. South-pointing magnetic flux moves from sunspots, which are intense magnetic loops near the equator of the sun, along “meridional flows” to the north magnetic pole, and vice versa. As the oppositely-directed charge accumulates at the poles the field declines, until eventually the reverse charge predominates.

Scientists point out that the heliosphere does not wink out of existence during this reversal. The sunspots are intense magnetic knots, much stronger than the star’s main field, which continue to spiral outward even when the main dipole field vanishes briefly. Though the solar magnetic reversal is not completely understood, the Ulysses space probe has sent back detailed data which has supplied answers to many questions. (6)

The mechanism that controls earth's field reversals may not be based on similar principles. For one thing, a planet does not seem to have any equivalent to the powerful sunspots. McFarlane refers to there being more than one north-south pole system and about 10% of the total field being involved in smaller extra fields. If these subordinate minor magnetic fields take up more of the magnetic activity during the main field’s decline, they might become active enough to sustain a minimal protective layer shielding the biosphere, even if the main dipole field declines to zero gauss. This could be important for our survival, as the Steen’s mountain lava flows indicate that the reversal took 4,500 years to be completed! (5)

Answer 2

no.

Mayan calendar charlatans will have had their fun.
Those who have believed them will either be disappointed or relieved (or both).

The Earth's magnetic pole appears to be headed for a reversal. This kind of thing takes centuries. At first, it was thought that the magnetic field would become very weak during the reversal, reducing our protection against cosmic rays and other charged particles from space.

However, it now appears that the magnetic field will simply be less organised (but still existent). For a few centuries, the magnetic compasses may become less useful. However, gyrocompasses (using Earth's rotation) and GPS (using satellites in orbit around Earth) would not be directly affected.

The magnetic pole that is now moving around the north coast of Siberia will migrate towards the south, maybe split in more than one 'pole' (but of the same polarity) and the portions will slowly migrate south, and finally reintegrate as one magnetic pole near Antarctica.

The magnetic pole in Antarctica has already split in two weaker poles.

This has happened several times over Earth's history (as indicated by magnetic field in lava flows left at different eras).

If you leave in your will a 20th century magnetic compass to your great-great-...-great grandchildren, then the 'N' needle will point South.

Answer 3

If you mean a magnetic pole reversal, then there may be one underway right now. It will probably take a few thousand years to complete. It is not going to start one year and end the same year.

Probably not much will happen.After all these reversals have happened many times before.

Answer 4

It is not going to turn on its side. The polar axis is positioned at a 23.6 degree angle currently. The pole will just shift to a different angle. There will definately be changes in the climate and environment I am guessing. Hopefully all of the dumb people will be killed

Answer 5

The sun shifts polarity every 11 years so why not the Earth? Better worry more about the galactic alignment!

Answer 6

Not likely. I doubt it. Those events are unpredictable. The questioner did not say whether he/she was talking about the magnetic poles or the geographic poles. But strangely everyone here assumes it was about magnetic poles.

Answer 7

a pole shift takes thousands of years, and it is happening again, but it will be a long time before they are completely reversed.

and as for what it will mean. nothing, absolutely nothing. it wouldnt effect us at all, aside from our compasses being reversed.

Answer 8

Not 2012. It's happened before and nothing happens that would affect us or the envinronment. This Aztec Calender thing is just some more scare-mongering.

Answer 9

I doubt there will be a pole shift -- even if we do, all compasses and GPS, etc, will have to be re calibrated to read South as North, and vice-versa. East and west, as well.

Answer 10

Wouldnt that be crazy. They say that it is supposed to happen. I would imagine that magma would shoot out of every hole or crevass of the crust. Maybe a bunch of earth quakes and tidal waves. Then a thick cloud of smoke and dust to cover planet for years. I hope not.