Post by brillbilly on Feb 17, 2011 4:08:03 GMT 10
Magnetic reversal may now be in progress - BGS
17 Jan 11 - According to the British Geological Survey (BGS), we could now be headed into a magnetic reversal, thus validating the premise of both Not by Fire but by Ice and Magnetic reversals and Evolutionary Leaps.
The South Atlantic Anomaly is growing and spreading westwards from South Africa as the Earth’s internal magnetic field rapidly weakens in this region, says this article on the BGS website. "This may be early evidence of a forthcoming reversal in the direction of the Earth’s internal magnetic field."
"We do not know in detail precisely what occurs during such reversals, including the changes observed in the magnetic field and the time a reversal takes to complete," the BGS adds.
Since so little is known, and in order to determine where radiation risks may be increased and how the atmosphere might respond, the BGS is opening a South Atlantic Anomaly and South Georgia Magnetic Observatory.
By establishing the new observatory, BGS will re-start continuous magnetic observations in South Georgia, last carried out in 1982.
What is the South Atlantic Anomaly?
"The Earth’s magnetic field, generated deep within the planet, is a shield against particle radiation from space," the BGS article continues. "In the South Atlantic this shield is much weaker than elsewhere across the globe and radiation from space therefore penetrates deeper into the atmosphere. This region is known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) and the radiation in the SAA is a known hazard to satellites, spacecraft and high-altitude aircraft."
Let me repeat that because it's so important. "The Earth's magnetic field is a shield against particle radiation from space." Our magnetic field, in other words, shields us from the radioactive particles generated by cosmic rays.
The problem, which the BGS doesn't go into here, is that magnetic field strength declines dramatically during a magnetic reversal. This reduces our shielding and allows more and more radioactivity onto our planet.
That's when the mutations begin. And that's what "Magnetic Reversals and Evolutionary Leaps" is all about.
The BGS goes on to say that Earth’s magnetic field has had many highs, lows and reversals in its past, with the last reversal taking place around 800,000 years ago. I take issue with this date because there have been many magnetic reversals since that time.
There's the Gothenburg magnetic reversal of 11,500 years ago, when the mammoths went extinct.
There's the Mono Lake magnetic reversal of 23,000 years ago, when the earth descended into catastrophic glaciation.
There's the Lake Mungo magnetic reversal of 33,500 years ago, when the Neanderthals went extinct.
And there are several others, such as the Laschamp, the Blake, Biwa I, Biwa II, Biwa III ... the list goes on. (See Magnetic Reversal Chart.)
There's even the Big Lost magnetic reversal of 640,000 years ago, when - just by coincidence? - the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted.
In fact, my research shows that our planet undergoes a magnetic reversal about every 11,500 years and, agreeing with the BGS on this point, I think the next reversal is now due.
The problem is that a magnetic reversal could be disastrous.
During highlighted magnetic reversals (or excursions), the climate descended from periods of warmth such as today's into full-blown glaciation in less than twenty years. (kya = thousands of years ago)
That there is a link between magnetic reversals and ice ages is undeniable.
At least twelve magnetic reversals can be linked to glaciation during the last three million years alone.
A magnetic reversal about three million years ago marked the onset of glaciation. A magnetic reversal about two million years ago marked the onset of glaciation. And yet another reversal about one million years ago marked the onset of glaciation.
The Jaramillo magnetic reversal maked the onset of glaciation, as did the Brunhes magnetic reversal.
The Biwa I, Biwa II, Biwa III, and Blake (at the end Eemian) magnetic reversals coincided with glaciation, and so did the Lake Mungo, Mono Lake, and Gothenburg magnetic reversals (or excursions).
Many of those catastrophic cooling episodes, says Michael Rampino of NASA, may have actually been triggered by the magnetic reversal (or excursion).
Why should this concern us?
One: We appear to be headed for another magnetic reversal right now. During the past 2000 years, magnetic field strength has fallen some 50 to 65 percent. Unfortunately, the rate of decline is picking up. Five percent of the decline has occurred during the last 100 years alone. This decline, say geophysicists, may be a precursor to a new reversal attempt.
Two: When ice ages begin, they begin incredibly fast. At the end Eemian, for example, the climate descended from a period of warmth such as today's - such as today's - into full-blown glacial severity in less than twenty years.
Three: I think we're headed into such a twenty-year period right now.
Four: The North Magnetic Pole is moving! "The magnetic pole, which has steadily drifted for decades, has picked up its pace in recent years and could exit Canadian territory as soon as 2004," said Larry Newitt of the Geological Survey of Canada. "It's speed has increased considerably during the past 25 years," the geophysicist said. See: CNN.com - North Magnetic Pole - March 20, 2002.
Five: According to John Tarduno, professor of geophysics at the Univerity of Rochester (NY), the next magnetic reversal could occur within a matter of centuries.
Tarduno based his findings on detailed studies of the Earth's magnetic field made during four trips above the Arctic Circle. (Published in the Proc. of the National Academy of Sciences, 16 Oct 2002.) See also: www.rochester.edu/pr/News/NewsReleases/latest/tarduno-cylinder.html
17 Jan 11 - According to the British Geological Survey (BGS), we could now be headed into a magnetic reversal, thus validating the premise of both Not by Fire but by Ice and Magnetic reversals and Evolutionary Leaps.
The South Atlantic Anomaly is growing and spreading westwards from South Africa as the Earth’s internal magnetic field rapidly weakens in this region, says this article on the BGS website. "This may be early evidence of a forthcoming reversal in the direction of the Earth’s internal magnetic field."
"We do not know in detail precisely what occurs during such reversals, including the changes observed in the magnetic field and the time a reversal takes to complete," the BGS adds.
Since so little is known, and in order to determine where radiation risks may be increased and how the atmosphere might respond, the BGS is opening a South Atlantic Anomaly and South Georgia Magnetic Observatory.
By establishing the new observatory, BGS will re-start continuous magnetic observations in South Georgia, last carried out in 1982.
What is the South Atlantic Anomaly?
"The Earth’s magnetic field, generated deep within the planet, is a shield against particle radiation from space," the BGS article continues. "In the South Atlantic this shield is much weaker than elsewhere across the globe and radiation from space therefore penetrates deeper into the atmosphere. This region is known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) and the radiation in the SAA is a known hazard to satellites, spacecraft and high-altitude aircraft."
Let me repeat that because it's so important. "The Earth's magnetic field is a shield against particle radiation from space." Our magnetic field, in other words, shields us from the radioactive particles generated by cosmic rays.
The problem, which the BGS doesn't go into here, is that magnetic field strength declines dramatically during a magnetic reversal. This reduces our shielding and allows more and more radioactivity onto our planet.
That's when the mutations begin. And that's what "Magnetic Reversals and Evolutionary Leaps" is all about.
The BGS goes on to say that Earth’s magnetic field has had many highs, lows and reversals in its past, with the last reversal taking place around 800,000 years ago. I take issue with this date because there have been many magnetic reversals since that time.
There's the Gothenburg magnetic reversal of 11,500 years ago, when the mammoths went extinct.
There's the Mono Lake magnetic reversal of 23,000 years ago, when the earth descended into catastrophic glaciation.
There's the Lake Mungo magnetic reversal of 33,500 years ago, when the Neanderthals went extinct.
And there are several others, such as the Laschamp, the Blake, Biwa I, Biwa II, Biwa III ... the list goes on. (See Magnetic Reversal Chart.)
There's even the Big Lost magnetic reversal of 640,000 years ago, when - just by coincidence? - the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted.
In fact, my research shows that our planet undergoes a magnetic reversal about every 11,500 years and, agreeing with the BGS on this point, I think the next reversal is now due.
The problem is that a magnetic reversal could be disastrous.
During highlighted magnetic reversals (or excursions), the climate descended from periods of warmth such as today's into full-blown glaciation in less than twenty years. (kya = thousands of years ago)
That there is a link between magnetic reversals and ice ages is undeniable.
At least twelve magnetic reversals can be linked to glaciation during the last three million years alone.
A magnetic reversal about three million years ago marked the onset of glaciation. A magnetic reversal about two million years ago marked the onset of glaciation. And yet another reversal about one million years ago marked the onset of glaciation.
The Jaramillo magnetic reversal maked the onset of glaciation, as did the Brunhes magnetic reversal.
The Biwa I, Biwa II, Biwa III, and Blake (at the end Eemian) magnetic reversals coincided with glaciation, and so did the Lake Mungo, Mono Lake, and Gothenburg magnetic reversals (or excursions).
Many of those catastrophic cooling episodes, says Michael Rampino of NASA, may have actually been triggered by the magnetic reversal (or excursion).
Why should this concern us?
One: We appear to be headed for another magnetic reversal right now. During the past 2000 years, magnetic field strength has fallen some 50 to 65 percent. Unfortunately, the rate of decline is picking up. Five percent of the decline has occurred during the last 100 years alone. This decline, say geophysicists, may be a precursor to a new reversal attempt.
Two: When ice ages begin, they begin incredibly fast. At the end Eemian, for example, the climate descended from a period of warmth such as today's - such as today's - into full-blown glacial severity in less than twenty years.
Three: I think we're headed into such a twenty-year period right now.
Four: The North Magnetic Pole is moving! "The magnetic pole, which has steadily drifted for decades, has picked up its pace in recent years and could exit Canadian territory as soon as 2004," said Larry Newitt of the Geological Survey of Canada. "It's speed has increased considerably during the past 25 years," the geophysicist said. See: CNN.com - North Magnetic Pole - March 20, 2002.
Five: According to John Tarduno, professor of geophysics at the Univerity of Rochester (NY), the next magnetic reversal could occur within a matter of centuries.
Tarduno based his findings on detailed studies of the Earth's magnetic field made during four trips above the Arctic Circle. (Published in the Proc. of the National Academy of Sciences, 16 Oct 2002.) See also: www.rochester.edu/pr/News/NewsReleases/latest/tarduno-cylinder.html