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Dispelling Myths About Geomagnetic Reversal

Posted by Soulskill on from the exploring-our-polar-system dept.

UniverseToday has an interesting look at geomagnetic reversal, the process in which the Earth's magnetic poles trade places. The article cites known trends and recent studies to debunk doomsday myths and unsubstantiated claims about the process. One such study is attempting to model the earth's core with a 26-ton ball of molten metal. Another recently found evidence that the Earth has a second, weaker magnetic field. "We do know that this magnetic pole flip-flop has occurred many times in the last few million years; the last occurred 780,000 years ago according to ferromagnetic sediment. A few scaremongering articles have said geomagnetic reversal occurs with 'clockwork regularity' — this is simply not true."

7 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. it switched last week... by AliasMarlowe · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...and the bankers flipped.

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    Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
  2. Lets see it... by alexborges · · Score: 3, Funny

    I wanna see it flip and take it all with it.

    Lets return to the earth, have half of us killed, and go back to hunting venison like we very well used to before some assholes started to chat about this "civilization" crap we are in right now.

    Fuck that.

    Back to the trees people, this stupid "modern society" thing didnt work.

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    NO SIG
    1. Re:Lets see it... by Daimanta · · Score: 4, Funny

      Says the guy posting to Slashdot.

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      Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
    2. Re:Lets see it... by Belial6 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, if we went through a phase of hunting people instead of venison for food, the plan just might work. Then not only do you get a reduced population due to food harvesting, but you also get a reduced population due to wide spread disease. Whoo Hoo! All our problems are solved!

  3. Get ready for it! by OrangeTide · · Score: 5, Funny

    "we'll be exposed to the vast quantities of radiation blasting from the Sun; with a reversing magnetic field comes a weakening in the Earth's ability to deflect cosmic rays."

    Finally, a use for our tinfoil hats!

    --
    “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
  4. Love the look in his eyes by David+Gerard · · Score: 3, Funny

    The guy who runs the 26 ton ball of molten metal. That's a Mad Scientist gleam in the eyes if ever I saw one.

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    http://rocknerd.co.uk
  5. Listen by jayhawk88 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just because I don't have a fancy "doctorate" or even "college education", doesn't mean you can just dismiss my theories! Einstein didn't go to college after all, look where he ended up!

    I'm telling you, my theory is solid. I saw this show on the History Channel the other day that was talking about what kind of propulsion UFO's might use, and it came to me: What would happen if the Earth's magnetic field happened every 780,000 years and 300 days, exactly? That would mean it would happen again in November! Our only hope is to align every source of magnetic material in the world along north-south magnetic lines! I've already done this with my stove, fridge, and just to be safe my wireless network. I encourage all of you to do the same!

    I am not crazy people! My scientific theories are backed up by some of the finest dramatization programs the Discovery Channel has to offer!