Nature: Earth's magnetic field periodically reverses direction…

Question

Did you know? Earth's magnetic field periodically reverses direction — North becomes South and vice versa. The last time was 780,000 years ago (the "Brunhes-Matuyama reversal"). During the transition the field weakens; cosmic radiation would temporarily be higher. We are now "overdue" for the next.

Accepted Answer

Earth's magnetic field periodically reverses direction — North becomes South and vice versa. The last time was 780,000 years ago (the "Brunhes-Matuyama reversal"). During the transition the field weakens; cosmic radiation would temporarily be higher. We are now "overdue" for the next.

Het magnetische veld van de aarde wisselt periodiek van richting — Noord wordt Zuid en omgekeerd. De laatste keer was 780.000 jaar geleden (de "Brunhes-Matuyama omkering"). Tijdens de overgang verzwakt het veld; de kosmische straling zou tijdelijk hoger zijn. We zijn nu "te laat" voor de volgende.

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