12-12-2003 23:08									#1
	Earth's magnetic field collapsing! Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

The Earth's magnetic field has fallen 10% since 1845. It could vanish and then reverse itself. But during the interim, the Earth would be exposed to deadly radiation. This could be a lot worse than global warming.

Also, note that the reduction begain aroung 1845. This coincides with the end of the little ice age. Is there a cause and effect relationship?

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/scienc...s.ap/index.html

	12-12-2003 23:23									#2
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I saw the Core, we have nothing to worry about until the birds start attacking!

	12-12-2003 23:25									#3
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What's even scarier, just a couple of hours ago the Sun disappeared completely! I mean it literally vanished, and now it's pitch dark outside. I've got a bad feeling about this.

	12-12-2003 23:27									#4
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Hey, that happened here aswell , that cannot be a coincedence, can it?!?!?!?

	12-12-2003 23:28									#5
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The sun is up here, so don't worry... Though it is a little hazy, couldn't be the fog though, could it?

	12-12-2003 23:29									#6
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Sun's still working on my side of the planet. You Euros just can't get anything right, I guess.

	12-12-2003 23:29									#7
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it must be bush's fault. and when the field reverses, maybe then unfair taxes will be profits.

	12-12-2003 23:30									#8
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NOOO!! The birds are attacking!! Must take cover fast!!

AAARrrgggg......

Sp....

	12-12-2003 23:31									#9
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quote: Originally posted by Osweld Sun's still working on my side of the planet. You Euros just can't get anything right, I guess.

Yeah, but who turned off the heat?

	12-12-2003 23:32									#10
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"Yeah, but who turned off the heat?"

Probably the same guy who stole the moon...

	12-12-2003 23:33									#11
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My compass will work correctly again then... Unless they decide to swap the names North and South along with the polarity.

	12-12-2003 23:58									#12
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quote: Originally posted by Japher I saw the Core, we have nothing to worry about until the birds start attacking!

HACK THE PLANET

	13-12-2003 00:05									#13
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I am probably the only one to do a serious answer to this question:

All research indicates that a reversing of Earth's magnetic field is indeed imminent. What scientists cannot agree upon is how long this will take. Some scientists believe that it can take place inside 1 or 2 years, others that it is a lengthier process.

But none of the research that I have seen on this subject indicates that the magnetic field should diminish a part of this process.

But who knows??

The magnetic field is created a a result of a layer of molten lava turning around a solid iron core, so unless you want to go down there and take measurements, your guess is as good as mine

Asmodean

Last edited by Asmodean on 13-12-2003 at 03:24

	13-12-2003 00:06									#14
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quote: At that rate of decline, the field could vanish altogether in 1,500 to 2,000 years, said Jeremy Bloxham of Harvard University.

The Y4K problem.

	13-12-2003 00:07									#15
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Are you blaming Bill Gates?

	13-12-2003 00:11									#16
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I'm blaming the Gregorians.

	13-12-2003 00:14									#17
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chant with me.

	13-12-2003 00:29									#18
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quote: Originally posted by Q Cubed chant with me.

java chant

	13-12-2003 00:32									#19
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By the way, in examining continental drift, scientists are able to determine how often the magnetic field has "flipped". I think its been determined that the magnetic pole has flipped hundreds of times in the Earth's history as a conservative estimate. Interestingly, it isn't on a regular interval. Sometimes it was a matter of years before it flipped...sometimes it took thousands of years.

Between Europe and North America, those plates are moving away from each other, so the Atlantic gets wider by a few inches every year. Scientists take samples of rock from the crack between the plate and can see the orientation of the iron atoms. The magnetic orientation alternates as the older rock (moving away from the crack between the two plates).

Yes, I said "crack" a few times there. I'm sure a few of you were giggling to yourself each time.

Well, South America, Southern Africa and Australia can take comfort. Soon you will be the northern hemisphere and we will all flip our maps around.

	13-12-2003 00:34									#20
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"crack" isn't as funny as having a dorm building named "babcock" on a street named "bever".

	13-12-2003 00:35									#21
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What rubbish...next you'll be telling me the earth is round

	13-12-2003 00:38									#22
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Oh the field is probably just going to reverse polarity or something like that. I very much doubt the earth's magnetic field is going to disappear. It will probably surge again. And besides we've got the Van Halen belt...do we have an Iron Maiden belt too?

	13-12-2003 01:29									#23
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Do sarcastic types truly understand the problems caused by radiation that today is deflected by the magnetic field?

BTW, when was the last reversal?

And, do we have any evidence of what happened to plants and animals during reversals that lasted a relatively long time?

	13-12-2003 01:31									#24
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quote: Originally posted by Asmodean I am probably the only one to do a serious answer to this question: All resaerch indicates that a reversing of Earth's magnetic field is indeed imminent. What scientists cannot agree upon is how long this will take. Some scientists believe that it can take place inside 1 or tow years, others that it is a lengthier process. But none of the research that I have seen on this subject indicates that the magnetic field should diminish a part of this process. But who knows?? The magnetic field is created a a result of a layer of molten lave turning around a solid iron core, so unless you want to go down there and take meausrements, your guess is as good as mine Asmodean

Can I pick which Apolytoner to send down there?

	13-12-2003 01:50									#25
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As to the correlation between the mini ice age and the beginning of the reduction of the field, could this be caused by the sun increasing its drag on the core by some sort of increased solar activity?

Does anyone here have a degree in astrophysics?

	13-12-2003 02:50									#26
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quote: Originally posted by Asmodean All resaerch indicates that a reversing of Earth's magnetic field is indeed imminent. What scientists cannot agree upon is how long this will take. Some scientists believe that it can take place inside 1 or tow years, others that it is a lengthier process.

The article says it is likely not to happen. But yeah, it's CNN .

	13-12-2003 03:19									#27
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If it happens in 1500 years or later, we'll definitely be zooming around space, () but it will be sad if we lose our home planet.

	13-12-2003 03:23									#28
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I'm not a scientist, but I remember reading something on the subject that speculates that the flipping doesn't cause the magnetic field to disappear, just the polarity switching (as mentioend before).

Actually, it is this magnetic field that protects the earth from space debris, cosmic rays and the such. You are right on about that Ned. I don't believe the earth would be unprotected by a magnetic field polarity flip.

	13-12-2003 03:25									#29
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All we "know" is that the field has declined by 10% in 150 years. What happens next and how soon is unknowable since we do not understand what is going on precisely. However, I noted the seeming correlation with the end to the mini ice age. This seems to indicate that the might be some interaction with the sun, such as marked increase in huge solar flares that do affect the magnetic field. We just experienced quite a few major flares in the last month. Could they be acting to slow the rotation of our core?

So far, this is just speculation on my part. I was hoping to hear from some members of the forum with the proper scientific background to discuss this issue.

	13-12-2003 03:28									#30
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Same reply as the other thread.

We don't have to be afraid of computers magnetic field collapse. We'll always be our own greatest threat.