[dark_lord]

This would indicate the earth STOPPED rotating or shifted it's axis of rotation to place that location in a polar orientation. This is describing a PHYSICAL change in the direction and orientation of the rotation of a planet. Does anyone remember a little thing called INERTIA? Such a change, even spread out over a matter of days would destruct this planet to the very core, not just create a "phenomena" that they used to set in the quarter where they now rise, and used to rise where they now set , it would have the effect of a planetary paper shredder... right to the core and then some.

I make no claims as to whether the earth has "flipped" or not. I will point out that the earth is essentially a gyroscope. Gyroscopes are interesting things. We used them when I was on the subs. By orienting them along 3 axis you can maintained a stable platform. Along with accelerometers, you can calculate where you are based on measuring the acceleration effects along those 3 axis. But occasionally a gyro will "flip" (which is why you always have at least 2 intertial platforms, because when a gyro "flips" the platform will "crash".)

In any case, I think the earth could conceivably "flip" - no inertia is lost, the earth continues to spin quite happily. However, the atmosphere will not flip with the earth, so fairly quickly you will have some high relative wind velocities. Possibly very high. In which case, you want to be able to have a nice hole in the ground to crawl into for a while.

Here is a link on some basic gyro effects and simple gyro math: THE GYROSCOPE

[TLI]

I make no claims as to whether the earth has "flipped" or not. I will point out that the earth is essentially a gyroscope.

Yes you are correct.  The point that most seem to be missing is there are two potential events being discussed here...

1. Actual physical changes in the rotation character of the entire planet.

2. A change on the magnetic field of the planet.

One would be catastrophic, two would be a nuisance but not "earth shattering."   Since the magnetic poles are established and maintained by the interaction of the solid inner core and the fluid outer core, changes occurring there, (flow rate/direction, inner core rotation speed, etc) would have little effect on the physical rotation of the entire planet. 

Essentially, Item two does not cause item one to occur..