NYT: COLLAPSE OF THE EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD ACCELERATES (Via Drudge)

Drudge Report ^ | 7/12/04 | Drudge

[mkj6080]

The collapse of the earth's magnetic field, which both guards the planet and guides many of its creatures, appears to have started in earnest about 150 years ago, the NY TIMES is planning to report on Page Ones Tuesday.

Science reporter Bill Broad has filed a report, according to newsroom sources, which explores how: 'The field's strength has waned 10 percent to 15 percent so far and this deterioration has accelerated of late, increasing debate over whether it portends a reversal of the lines of magnetic force that normally envelop the earth."

Broad explains: "During a reversal, the main field weakens, almost vanishes, and then reappears with opposite polarity. Afterward, compass needles that normally point north would point south, and during the thousands of years of transition much in the heavens and Earth would go askew."

Broad claims: "A reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid."

Developing...

[G Larry]

No!
Ask any Democrat, it would be the "new North".
Cultural evidence suggests the shift is further along than 10% - 15%.
Wrong is right & right is wrong.

[Texas Eagle]

Science reporter Bill Broad has filed a report, according to newsroom sources,....

What the?

[snopercod]

How will this affect the millions of refrigerator magnets ? ROFL!

I'm not sure, but my guess is that they will all catch on fire due to the moving lines of magnetic flux.

[SoCal Pubbie]

And does that mean that those of us in the U.S. and Canada would suddenly become South Americans?

[kabar]

http://www.iceagenow.com/

[kabar]

http://www.iceagenow.com/Magnetic_Reversal_Chart.htm

[Nowhere Man]

I wonder how this will effect 10 meter DX? B-)

DE KA3WRW

[Uncle Hal]

Does not make any difference. The liberals will blame it on Bush.

[jgorris]

Just waiting for the inevitable Rat spin: and it's all W's fault.

[mkj6080]

Maybe the Demos will demand the US build an artificial magnetic field based on the Highlander 2 movie!!!

[Solamente]

Does this mean Clinton's bent schlong will skew in the opposite direction?

[Thud]

Conclusive proof of global warming! Note when the magnetic field started collapsing!

[prognostigaator]

yes,the worm turns

[etcetera]

What will Civil War re-enactors do?

[RightWhale]

The cool thing is one would see the Northern Lights in lower latitudes.

Somewhat, but the intensity would be dispersed.

[GSlob]

"Does this mean we weigh up to 15% less ...?"
The thing you're asking for - the decrease in gravitational constant - is on the legislative agenda for the 2nd GWB term. This alone ought to impress upon everyone the acute importance of the coming election. And remember: to make it happen the President will need the strongly supportive Republican Congress, or the stinky Rats would filibuster this important initiative.

[Political Junkie Too]

Does this means that "when events go south," that's now a good thing?

-PJ

[Phsstpok]

I am a firm believer in my own (brilliant) theory that we pass through many phases in reality. Primarily these can be described as times of more... stuff, yeah, that's it, stuff... and times of less stuff. We are leaving a time of less stuff that has lasted for several thousand years, and about to enter times of MORE stuff. Prepare to duck and cover, folks.

[adam_az]

Will my toilet swirl and flush in the other direction?

The mind boggles.

[Capriole]

Sir, you are a genius. This has to be the Post of the Day.