Posted on 12/13/2003 8:38:30 PM PST by gitmo
The Earth's magnetic field is weakening, and that could lead to a flip in the planet's poles making compasses point south instead of north for the first time in almost a million years, say scientists.
Experts at the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco say the field has declined 10 percent in the last 150 years, and suggest a reversal could lead to problems in navigation and a jump in cancer rates with a diminished ozone layer.
"Is a reversal coming? Yeah, it's coming for sure – sometime,'' said geologist Robert Coe of the University of California-Santa Cruz, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Physicists say the average period between pole flips is about 200,000 years, and the last one is believed to have taken place 780,000 years ago, making the next swap long overdue.
According to Harvard University's Jeremy Bloxham, the field could disappear completely within the next 2,000 years if the rate of decline remains constant, but he's not certain if the poles will actually reverse.
"Chances are this is going to die out," he said, reports the San Mateo County Times. "Reversals are pretty rare."
If a flip did take place, it would be over the course of several thousand years, and scientists say it would likely reduce the protective ozone layer, cause glitches in satellites and electronic products, and create a flurry of navigational anomalies as compasses would "cease to be a simple means of navigation," according to Bloxham.
The consequences would be the same if a reversal takes place or the field continues to diminish, with one researcher estimating an additional 100,000 cancer cases annually as people would be subject to more of the sun's harmful rays.
It means Kerry the flip-flopper will rise once again and take over the world.
Oooh, Mother Earth is having a period. Watch out! ;-)
A scientist reported on his work, and a reporter who was not trained in science wrote it up.
It's interesting science in it's own right and does not need sensationalism.
Look at some of the questins and replies on this thread- reasonable questions and concice accurate answers about how the mag field strength is measured and what it all means to us - done by the Pajamahadeen and not the reporter.
hahahahahaha
Hey toots...how are your magnetic fields this evening? ;-)
So, sure, it's likely.
But the South isn't moving as far in the other direction. So, how will that difference affect things?
"It MUST BE electro-magnetic emissions that is causing this."
Must be our extensive use of microwaves to heat our food. /s
within a week there will be a movie of the week showing the reversing of the magnetic polls will have disaster implications. The UN will demand a magnetic conservation tax, Greenpeace will send their ship to block a some ship for no reason. Nature conservancy will start buy land with natural magnets and demand sustainable development to halt human encroachment on the magnetic polls.
Algore will write a new book "magnetism in the balance."
Women and minorities hardest hit!
Ah, yes. I believe it was Elvis who wrote about this back in the 1950s.
I thought they were done flipping but decided to flip once again! ;-) Nothing a cadburys chocolate and glass of adult beverages with two midol won't fix!
All refrigerator magnets (in developed countries) will have to be turned in to the UN. US citizens will be fined for "reefer magnet" posession.
No more magnetic dogs.
Hey! meet ya sista...out of the way before Christmas, though. Life is good! :-)
AMEN *LOL*
Homosexuals will claim inverted magnets are more proof they were "born" that way. (/s)
Sun's rays to roast Earth as poles flip
The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 11/10/2002 | Robin McKie
Posted on 11/09/2002 5:59:37 PM PST by Pokey78
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/786012/posts
Why would anyone believe any garbage that comes out of that depicable pit called Sata Cruz which is overun by RED DIAPER DOPERS BABYS is beyond me. They hate Bush, Christians, GOD, their parents, meat eaters anyone without a ponytail and are about as phoney as the lift wing nuts in HOLLYWIERD.
That doesn't mean the science is wrong. Just their politics. But if they mix the two, then watch out!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.