Slashdot Mirror


Dispelling Myths About Geomagnetic Reversal

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."

3 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Lets see it... by Cyberax · · Score: 2, Interesting

    There's evidence that cannibalism leads to prion diseases (like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuru_(disease) ). So have a nice meal!

  2. Debunking Doomsday Myths? by jvkjvk · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The article is actually a rant against the 2112 Millenialism of a particular strain of people that have imprinted the mayan great cycle myth at a precognitive level through the influence of McKenna (whether they know it or not). At best, the article says that it's not very probable that a reversal will happen in our lifetime and if it does, "satellites may malfunction and migrating birds may become confused" but that's about it. Without a shred of proof given to that. It could presumably be much worse, so we should probably at least look at it.

    though I do concur that the world probably won't end dec 21 2012.

    However it also makes reference to a type of potentially catastrophic type event, a 'polar shift', which is really rare. Of course, all that means is that it is eventually inevitable. So there's another ticking clock. Has anyone come up with a clock incorporating all the known doomsday events that are actually going to happen sooner or later? e.g. catastrophic asteroid, polar shift, super solar event, whatnot? Would be interesting.

  3. Re:Not really worried. by sir+fer · · Score: 2, Interesting

    What bullshit. The largest influence on the Earths climate is the Sun! You know? that bright thing in the sky that makes it warmer during the day. I don't know what sort of climatologists you speak to but they are idiots if they say the Earths magnetic field is the largest influence on the climate. It prevents the solar wind being a significant influence so it prevents many other influences but it is NOT an influence in and of itself. Incident EM radiation and the Earths magnetic field are 2 distinct and unrelated phenomena. FYI I am a physicist and your post is almost complete nonsense.

    --
    Debian FTW ;o)