Chapter 04 of 5
The Chaotic Reversal
What happens to the magnetosphere during a full magnetic flip.
- The Transition
A Fading Shield
A geomagnetic reversal isn't an instant switch. The field first weakens to as little as 10% of its normal strength.
- Mechanism
Magnetic Multiplicity
As the main dipole collapses, the field becomes 'quadrupolar' or 'octupolar.' Multiple north and south poles may emerge simultaneously across the globe.
- Visuals
Global Auroras
Without a focused North Pole, the Northern Lights wouldn't be restricted to the Arctic. You might see auroras in the tropics.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
During the transition period of a magnetic flip, what typically happens to the number of magnetic poles?
🧲 Geomagnetic Flips
- 01The Glitch in the ShieldWitness the modern wandering of the North Pole and the South Atlantic Anomaly.
- 02The Geodynamo EngineHow molten iron and the Coriolis effect generate a planetary magnet.
- 03Frozen in StoneUnlocking Earth's history through paleomagnetism and ancient lava.
- 04The Chaotic ReversalWhat happens to the magnetosphere during a full magnetic flip.
- 05The Fate of a Dead CoreWhy the churning heart is the only thing keeping us from becoming Mars.