The Earth\'s magnetic field has changed orientation several times over the geolo

Question

The Earth's magnetic field has changed orientation several times over the geologic past of our planet. In your post, explain the nature and orientation of the Earth's current magnetic field. How do we map the orientation of the global magnetic field? What mechanisms are proposed that make the planet's magnetic field change orientation? What is the evidence that the planet's magnetic field has changed periodically? Is the Earth's magnetic field currently changing orientation? What is the potential impact of this change in magnetic orientation? Is there a danger that we will not have a magnetic field? What would happen if we lost our planet's magnetic field?

Explanation / Answer

The earth's magnetic field extends from interior of earth to the outer space where it meets solar winds . The orientation of the field had changed in past at present It is tilted at an angle of 10°: from the earths rotational axis in such a way that the south pole of the field is near Greenland near geographical north pole.

The field is generated by geodynamo that is the motion of molten iron alloys in outer core of earth. orientation and field keeps on changing due to the change in this motion .

These changes have evidence in igneous rocks . The field has reversed its orientation several times in past. These reversal are detectable as strips on mid oceanic ridges. These are also used for dating of rocks. This process is very slow and might take many years . The intensity and direction of earth's magnetic dipole has been decreasing and shifting ovr last two decades at a greater rate than the past . Some estimations conclude that if it decrease at current rate it would be over within 2000 years. But these changes are random and ubrupt and had been known to change without any reason.

Magnetosphere is a region in atmosphere above ionosphere which prevents the striping of layers of atmosphere by the charged particles of solar wind

The magnetic field is helpful for protection of ozone layer . The absence of this field might even disrupt the functioning of artificial satellites.

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