What we do not know is how changes will affect mankind. What we do know is that over 90% of the measured magnetic field is generated within the planets internal area, compared to its outer core-referred to as the Main Field-which can be best described by NASA "as creating a cavity in interplanetary space we know as the magnetosphere."
"For the last hundred years geophysicists have observed a steady and significant weakening in the strength of the Earth's magnetic field. The weakening rate suggests that the magnetic field may vanish altogether within the next 1,500 years [1]. This weakening is about one percent per decade, and has deteriorated over the last two thousand years by about fifty percent. The magnetic field pattern also rotates in some areas by about one degree every ten years [2]. Much more noteworthy, however, are major shifts in the locations of the magnetic poles, in the form of complete reversals and in the form of 'excursions'." (Magnetic Pole Shift-Library of Alexandria)
The above notes are facts. What we do with those facts depends on us as individuals. Nothing new, the shifting of the magnetic poles has happened many times in the life of Earth, just not with you or I around, at least until now.
On a normal annual basis, the magnetic North Pole varies in position because of drifts the magnetic field of Earth. In fact, the first time it was ever documented was on May 31, 1831, by the British polar explorer, Sir James Clark Ross with the Canadian government scientists documenting it since it was located in 1994, running to 2001. In the past few years, it has moved offshore progressively.
Considered one of the oldest geophysical sciences, the mysteries of the magnetic field of Earth has fascinated mankind as observations have shown that is is constantly changing, and we want to know two things: how and why. What we do know is that over 90% of the measured magnetic field is generated within the planets internal area, compared to its outer core-referred to as the Main Field-which can be best described by NASA "as creating a cavity in interplanetary space we know as the magnetosphere."
The Magnetosphere
This area dominates within the magnetic field of the solar wind, and is shaped somewhat oval shaped in response to the dynamic pressure of the solar wind. A fascinating shape, it is extended tail-like away from the sun, more than 100 Earth radii and is compressed toward the side about 10 Earth radii. A protection of sorts, it deflects most of the solar wind particles which flow toward Earth from the Sun, with the deflection causing the particles to go around Earth.
The geomagnetic field lines control the motion of the charged particles within the magnetosphere. It is totally difficult at best to predict anything about the Earth's magnetic field in the future, due to the extreme complexity of its constant changes. As new data is observed, revisions of its mathematical representations must be changed on a steady basis. We do know that it's most recent reversal occurred about 70,000 years ago, with previous reversals showing no sign of regular patterns. We also know that scientific computer models have shown us that the strength of the Earth's magnetic field has declined approximately 10% over the past 100 years.
What we do not know is whether or not this is due to a slight fluctuation, or it will lead us to an actual reversal where the magnetic field needs to be actually non-existent for a short time. When past reversals have actually taken place, they have occurred within a short time span of about 10,000 years or so.
Decrease of Earth's Magnetic Field Developing
If the decrease of the magnetic field actually occurs with the reversal of the magnetic fields, the effects could be deadly to mankind. The magnetic field of the Earth forms a protective shield against the Sun's cosmic rays away from latitudes and towards the magnetic poles. If these were not there, the Earth would become saturated with high-intensity cosmic rays causing x-ray effects on the human tissue.
Some scientists are proposing that magnetic reversals have caused mass extinctions during previous reversal, while others do not agree. What they do agree on is that the Earth's magnetic poles are slowly moving toward the Equator with its intensity falling slowly but steadily. Previously, the news was that zero-point would occur in the far future, about 2,000 years. But with the latest data of the Earth's liquid core, apparently the polar shift is occurring much sooner. In 2001, it was revealed by an international polar expedition that the shift had occurred around 300 km, or 186.4 miles, currently drifting about 24.85 miles a year toward the Severnaya Zemlya Islands of Russia.
The prediction by some is that the North Pole could actually land somewhere in the South Atlantic, with a 60% positive predicted value. In recent years, the magnetic field has decreased about 10% in South Atlantic, with an overall decrease of 1.7% decreased in Earth's magnetic field.
Effects on Humanity
The effects on humanity depend on which country and scientist we listen to. But we know for sure without a protective barrier around Earth, life before the total fall of the magnetic field will be impossible to survive in. Quite possibly this is the hurry for space agencies to develop some sort of human habitat on Mars and the Moon. Who knows?
Russian scientists are saying any serious changes in the magnetic field would cause the failing of anti-radiation protection, making it totally impossible for space flights to be flown, and satellites systems to work-cell phones, computer systems, communication systems, avionics, or anything energy dependent.
Also, life on Earth would be affected by solar, space radiation, and solar flares-a large number of mutations and extinction. But so far, we have no records of mass genetic mutations occurring since the last reversal, and the atmosphere has remained steady. What is occurring is that the Euro Commission in 2000 has directed pilots and flight attendants to the status of high risk jobs due to the changing magnetic field.
