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Earth's Magnetic Field Weakening Faster Than Previously Thought
ESA's Swarm mission [esa.int] was launched in 2013 to measure and classify the magnetic signals emanating from different depths of the Earth's crust. The data collected up to the present indicates that the Earth's magnetic field is weakening more quickly [esa.int] than previously thought.
It shows clearly that the field has weakened by about 3.5% at high latitudes over North America, while it has strengthened about 2% over Asia. The region where the field is at its weakest -- the South Atlantic Anomaly -- has moved steadily westward and weakened further by about 2%.
Chris Finlay, senior scientist at DTU Space in Denmark, states
Unexpectedly, we are finding rapid localised field changes that seem to be a result of accelerations of liquid metal flowing within the core.
Our planet's magnetic field is partially responsible for protecting us from high energy particles from space, for example, the solar wind, and cosmic rays. It has been known for quite some time [nasa.gov] that the Earth's magnetic poles move over time. The implications of weakening field strength, however, means more high energy radiation is reaching the Earth's surface which has been confirmed by measurements [spaceweather.com] from neutron monitors in the Arctic Circle. The collected data [esa.int] will be invaluable in the investigation of the planet's diminishing magnetic field, and the effects of the rising levels of cosmic radiation on life on Earth.
