Collapse of the earth's magnetic field accelerates

**andpau66** · 07-12-2004, 11:30 PM

The collapse of the earth's magnetic field, which both guards the planet and guides many of its creatures, appears to have started in earnest about 150 years ago, the NY TIMES is planning to report on Page Ones Tuesday.

Science reporter Bill Broad has filed a report, according to newsroom sources, which explores how: 'The field's strength has waned 10 percent to 15 percent so far and this deterioration has accelerated of late, increasing debate over whether it portends a reversal of the lines of magnetic force that normally envelop the earth."

Broad explains: "During a reversal, the main field weakens, almost vanishes, and then reappears with opposite polarity. Afterward, compass needles that normally point north would point south, and during the thousands of years of transition much in the heavens and Earth would go askew."

Broad claims: "A reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid."

FULL ARTICLE

NY TIMES Article (same thing)

"A reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid."

Geez.. the day this happens is really going to suck huh?

**Drosophila** · 07-12-2004, 11:50 PM

When it happens, yeah, it will truly suck. I'll just assume that it won't happen within the next 60 years, so I'm fine. Not much to do about it, except wait it out. Going to Mars in the meantime might be an option?
(talking about humans in general, not my great great great grand kid going for a friday excursion to the red planet to wait a weekend as the poles turn, and the birds to go bananas, to then happily return again on monday.)

**[MJ-12]** · 07-13-2004, 03:40 AM

Originally posted by andpau66
[b]and confuse birds

Hey, I might be in with a chance then! Except we'll probably be dead, injured or without comfort. Ah crap... I hope that isn't going to happen until after global warming gets us....

**ArianeIV** · 07-14-2004, 02:49 AM

Originally posted by andpau66
[b]Broad explains: "During a reversal, the main field weakens, almost vanishes, and then reappears with opposite polarity. Afterward, compass needles that normally point north would point south, and during the thousands of years of transition much in the heavens and Earth would go askew."
Broad claims: "A reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid."

Oh you should know what to think of someone telling you this... even if he is a science _reporter_... Changing the polarity of the field is happening and has already happened several times during earth history. It took about 1000 YEARS at LEAST. So there is no 'knocking out power grids' and also most probably no big confusion or technical problems, because the mean power plant has a lifetime of 50 years and any other product will certainly have no 1000 years lifetime........

The 'Day after tomorrow scenario' seems to have impact on all kinds of people it seems..... but remember guys: It is a movie!

I would worry the more about OUR health because of the particle radiation...

**kellyb** · 07-17-2004, 02:32 PM

I thought the trend was more than likely going to reverse itself before too long, anyway...?

**ArianeIV** · 07-17-2004, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by kellyb
[b]I thought the trend was more than likely going to reverse itself before too long, anyway...?

Do you have a source for this? I do not know of such... where did you read it?

**kellyb** · 07-18-2004, 12:54 PM

I saw it on the Science Channel...lol...on a show called "Understanding"...they (whoever "they" are) said the earth's magnetic feilds were in constant flux, with a long history of waxing and waning in intensity, but only rare complete reversals.

**Ben** · 07-18-2004, 12:58 PM

That explains my knee problems...I've got a metal pin in one of them and I swear sometimes when I'm sleeping my leg just floats off into the air. You've just solved the riddle Kelly. Thank you!

Ben