[mkj6080]

There was an interesting show on NOVA about it. It is clear from the geologic evidence, for example the Mid-Atlantic rift, that these reversals are periodic occurances. The cool thing is one would see the Northern Lights in lower latitudes. There would be an uptick in skin cancer rates but nothing catastrophic. The animal issue is interesting since this has happened before and the animals have been able to adopt.

[fourdeuce82d]

There would be an uptick in skin cancer rates but nothing catastrophic.

I'm noy s phsicist, but I've seen people play them on TV.

Couldn't the collapse of the magnetic field result in huge electrical currents, kind of like a hyper-ultra-Wicked Huge EMP, cooking cmos components?

I.e. all the chips are dead, and so are the machines that make them...and the machines that produce electiricity, and the machines that distribute water...etc.

Now THAT would be a disaster film- nothing broken, nothing going up in a mushroom cloud...but nothing other the hammer, can opener, and 1911 still working.

[tubebender]

There is something here for everyone... THE END OF THE WORLD IS COMING SOON

[RightWingAtheist]

[Erasmus]

The animal issue is interesting since this has happened before and the animals have been able to adopt.

What?! You mean it's gonna make 'em sterile??

[Right_Handed_Writer]

Will Santa have to move now?

[Indie]

I minored in Geology and graduated in 1979....1979!! And my geology prof, Dr Williams at SMU, mentioned the reversal of the earth's magnetic field even then when discussing plate tectonics. [He also said next time it occurred if we were around, we'd all be fried by electromagnetic radiation...not a nice thought]

And yet the press makes this stuff look brand new.

Amazing....

[NorseWood]

I rely on my ol' buddy down the street for guidance and direction, but he will be ok 'cause he is bipolar.

[TigersEye]

bttb

[lepton]

and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid."

Though obviously they have some method of dealing with it.

[SierraWasp]

Art Bell and George SNoree with have multiple orgasms over this... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

[NorseWood]

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.

I've been looking all through my Atlas but I can't seem to locate Earnest, where this appears to have started.

[SierraWasp]

"confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid"

Actually... It sounds more like the Repellican Party leadership in CA!!!

[I'm ALL Right!]

It's ALL BUSH'S FAULT!

[djf]

I think you might not have northern lights anywhere till it settles down. The reason is that the northern lights are caused by charged particles. These charged particles are "focused" at the north pole (and south) by the magnetic field. So if the field decays, the regular flux of particles that might hit any given area is probably too small to give any light effect.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

.ay llet I DEMOOD ,demood er'eW

Just practicing.;-)

[Grim]

[Jim Robinson]

"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."

Oh, no! It's Y2K all over again! Best start hoarding spam again!

[strongbow]

Boy it's been stinking hot here in Alaska for the last week, now I know why. Next thing I know it will be cooler down in Texas than here and then I'll have to move back. Just when I thought I had gotten it right.

[Cacique]

BTTFL

[Torie]

A flip would kill us all from the death rays, now blocked from the magnetic field. So says William Bryons, in a "Short History of Nearly Everything." I believe him.