Don’t flip out: Earth’s magnetic poles aren’t about to switch
Weakening magnetic field is a return to normal, not a sign of doom
MAGNETIC SHIELD The planet’s magnetic field isn’t on the cusp of a catastrophic flip of the magnetic poles, new lava analysis suggest. A magnetic reversal would weaken Earth’s magnetic field, causing auroras closer to the equator, as seen in this artist’s illustration.
Huapei Wang/MIT
Earth is not heading toward a doomsday reversal of its magnetic field, new research assures.
The planet’s magnetic field is about 10 percent wimpier today than when physicists began keeping tabs on it in the 1800s. In the geologic past, such weakening preceded geomagnetic reversals —swaps of the north and south magnetic poles. Such reversals temporarily make the planet more vulnerable to charged particles blasted off the sun that can disrupt power grids and disable satellites.
