DON'T BE THE LAST TO HEAR ABOUT BLAST
Blast Science
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Ask a Scientist
  • Brad Gross Memorial Page

What will the effects be on the Earth when the magnetic poles flip? Mrs Cook, age 48, Westfield School.

9/25/2016

 
Picture
The liquid iron outer core of the Earth is in constant motion due to convecting heat and the rotation of the planet. This causes the magnetic field to move and shift around. Roughly every million years the magnetic field flips entirely about 4 or 5 times, so that the north and south poles swap places. The last one took place about 780,000 years ago during the Stone Age.

We see evidence for this in the new crust that is created between tectonic plates as they move apart. The mid-ocean ridge in the floor of the Atlantic Ocean shows many field reversals, with magnetic patterns in the hardened lava showing the history of the Earth’s magnetic field.

There seems to be a reduction in the magnetic field at present, suggesting that a reversal may take place in the next couple of thousand years. A reversal happens gradually and so would go largely unnoticed. There is no scientific consensus as to the effects that would be experienced. With the weaker magnetic field providing less protection to Earth, it is possible that the effects of the solar wind may be stronger. This might cause holes in the Earth’s ozone layer and increase the rates of skin cancer. However, the atmosphere would still provide considerable protection and so it is also possible that these effects may be minimal.

Some animals, such as pigeons, bees and whales, are thought to use the Earth’s magnetic field for navigation. It is therefore theoretically possible that they may become disorientated at this time. However, the slowness of the reversal may also mean that individuals are able to adapt.
​
- Catherine Bell

Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Please email us with your questions!!
    ask@blastscience.co.uk
    * Kids - ask an adult before you use their email

    * Please include your age!
    Picture

    VID 1: Do you love your job?

    VID 2: Can you come to my party?

    VID 3: What is your favourite experiment?

    Our team of Scientists...

    Picture
    Lydia Samuel  
    As Director
     of Blast Science and a Primary Science Teacher for more than 15 years, Lydia has answered unending questions about Science from hundreds of children for over a decade and has a wealth of Primary Science classroom experience. She has a particular passion for Wizard Science, Chocolate Science and all things Gross!
    Picture
    Tom Holloway
    ​is a Primary Science Teacher and Space Enthusiast. Alongside being a full time teacher he runs Star Gazing evenings, is a Science Advisor, has established a Darwin Garden in his school in Caterham and won Primary Science Teacher of the Year in 2013/14. Watch the video here!
    Picture
    Steve Evans
    ​has recently joined Blast Science as a performer after working for several years at Herstmonceux Observatory. He knows a huge amount about physics, chemistry, space and.... Star Wars! So can answer all your intergalactic questions..
    Picture
    Keita Lynch 
    has helped Sussex 'stay curious' by coordinating the Brighton Science Festival for three years.  She's passionate about sharing science in simple 
    and engaging ways; without all the big words. 
    Keita's also a keen supporter of campaigns 
    like Let Toys Be Toys that encourage toy makers and retailers to stop limiting children's imagination by branding things for 'girls' or 'boys'. Astronaut suits and dinosaurs for all!
    Picture
    Dr Sarah Newnham
    I am 26 and have a degree and PhD in biochemistry. I enjoy learning new things and have spent 7 years at university studying and experimenting with molecules and microorganisms. I mainly like to play with bacteria and get them to do new things and produce different chemicals.  I also enjoy helping with Science projects in schools and enthusing children about my subject.
    Picture
    Dr Matt Edwards 
    Dr Matt decided to become a doctor when he ran out  of his own scabs to pick. He used to work in Accident and Emergency in Brighton,  pulling broken bones back into place and sewing up cuts. He now works in Brisbane, Australia as a Family doctor. This involves cutting out lots of funny lumps and sticking his fingers in every hole that people have. In his time he has been covered in every body juice you can think of, and once juggled with three hearts. Ask him anything about bodies and Gross Science.
    Picture
    Jonathan Brown 
    (Engineer at Ricardo) Had a strange fascination with all things mechanical from an early age and would often spend time 'fixing' his Dad's car without telling his Dad first. Rarely did it end happily, so of course he decided to continue this into a career than now spans almost 2 decades of designing engines for big names the world over. Having studied Mechanical Engineering at university he has been working since at a world leading technology consultancy, principally creating models and simulations of engines big and small for everyone from McLaren to Volvo. These days you're as likely to find him on a ship or looking at a tidal turbine, but it's still engines that keep him running.
    Picture
    Ivan Teage
    Ivan is a experienced all-round scientist. He studied astrophysics after a childhood of being obsessed with going to the moon, and now works at the Natural History Museum in London using technology to explain Science to young and old audiences. Ivan is interested in the science of music and is keen to help people understand the natural world, how it works, and what it has to offer. He is looking forward to your questions about nature, space, music, sound & the meaning of life.
    Picture
    Alex Nicholls
    With A-levels in Pure Maths, Applied Maths, Physics and Chemistry he went to Uni to read Nuclear Physics, but in the end switched to Law. He nevertheless retained a great interest in Science and has an encyclopedic general knowledge about nearly everything. Alex is also the linchpin of the Blast Science props dept but helps out answering complicated questions about Science for light relief from complicated carpentry. 

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    April 2017
    September 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    Chemicals
    Explosions
    Life
    Space

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly