[...] At the heart of the matter, geologists believe, is a disturbance in the outer core of the Earth’s interior (2900km below the surface). This superheated pool of molten metal is what generates the magnetic field.
“If we look at our best numerical simulations of a magnetic field reversal, this is the type of pattern we see right before a reversal,” says Professor Tarduno. “We don’t know if the current (anomaly) will lead to a full reversal.”
If the anomaly continues to grow, a larger patch of near-orbit and our planet will become increasingly exposed to harmful rays and solar storms.
The last time Earth’s magnetic poles reversed was some 780,000 years ago.
South Atlantic Anomaly: Study reveals magnetic pole ‘wobble’ has been growing for 1000 years
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 15 2019, @03:37AM (1 child)
We can't use the same argument about the energy infrastructure or electronics, though.
Given their pervasiveness and role in the civilization, one may look into the effects. Or not.
Very much like in the case of climate warming when you can relocate zillions a bit higher the mountain, so why worry? It's not like money grow in a tree and the civilization won't survive if we use money on things that have not yet happened, right?
(Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday January 15 2019, @02:41PM
True. There probably will be some sort of problem. And until we experience this effect, we'll never be sure what flaws we'll find.
Indeed. I think the cases are quite similar. We have hyped problems with rather simple and relatively cheap adaptation to the problem (here, just replace infrastructure that breaks with more durable infrastructure - lather. rinse. repeat until the infrastructure stops breaking.). Meanwhile the Chicken Littles are ignoring all the other big problems we have in favor of their pet problem. Funny how they keep talking about the future while ignoring huge things that matter to the future.