Evidence of second fast north-south pole flip found

[Joanne98]

(PhysOrg.com) -- The Earth's magnetic poles flip around every 200,000 years or so, with north becoming south and vice versa. Normally, the process takes 4-5,000 years and it ought to be impossible for the flip to be much faster, if models of the Earth's core are correct, but now for the second time evidence has been found of a flip that appears to have taken only a few years.

The first time evidence was discovered of a rapid geomagnetic field reversal was in 1995 when well-preserved lava flows were found at Steens Mountain in Oregon in the US. Research on the rocks by a team led by geologist Scott Bogue of the Occidental College in Los Angeles revealed the lava flow had an unusual magnetic pattern that suggested the magnetic field had been shifting over 10,000 times faster than normal, at six degrees a day. The magnetic patterns are preserved within the magnetic crystals in the lava, formed as the lava flow cooled.

The first findings remained controversial and many scientists have challenged the fast flip-flop theory, but now Bogue and colleague Jonathan Glen of the US Geological Survey have found evidence in ancient lava rock in Battle Mountain, Nevada of a second fast flip, dated around 15 million years ago.

The record in one particular lava flow in Nevada suggests the magnetic field moved by 53 degrees in a single year. The lava started to cool, but was then heated again within a year as it was buried under fresh lava. The crystals in the rock were re-magnetized by the fresh lava, producing a shift of 53 degrees. This finding could mean the poles swapped over a period of only four years, but Brogue said it could also suggest there was a rapid acceleration period within the steady movement of the field.

http://www.physorg.com/news202971192.html

[cliffordu]

1. Hope we don't fall off......

[ananda]

4. lol.

Maybe we need to start investing in suction cups for our feet.

[Buns_of_Fire]

9. Gravity -- it isn't just a good idea, it's the LAW. nt

[leveymg]

2. Wish I didn't buy that GPS for the car - I'll have to drive in reverse and upside down.

[Statistical]

6. GPS doesn't use magnetic fields.

You will be fine.

now if you have a dashboard compass that low tech solution would be flipped.

[truedelphi]

11. LOL. n/t

[FormerDittoHead]

3. Oh no. Will the magnets on my refridgerator fall off? Or is it the end of the world?

Of course, if it happened 200,000 years ago, then man survived it, so it's not the end of the world.

I'm sure it cause for selling a lot of books though, even though to be 0.5% correct, it can still be 1,000 years from now.

[Hawkowl]

7. It could weaken the protective magnetic field

Some scientists have theorized that during the short term pole flipping, the planetray magnetic field that shields the earth from the ionized solar wind would weaken.

200,000 years ago perhaps not such a big deal. In the 21st century, burning out every electrical device for the 4 - 1000 years of flipping, might be.

[Sheepshank]

8. We'll all become magnetized and stick to our refrigerators

or walk around with forks sticking out of us.

[stevedeshazer]

5. Ixnay on the eens-stay

The place that never, ever should be mentioned.

[Skidmore]

10. Something else to worry about...

dayum.