During basic practical physics, it was established that magnetism is not a static force. If the inconsistencies in your readings in the physics laboratory never bothered you, then our planet has a whole new set of concerns for you to think about.
Geomagnetic jerks are sudden and rapid changes in the angular positioning of the earth’s magnetic fields, causing errors and inaccuracies in ground navigation, readings, recordings, and observations [1].
The earth has both the geographic North Pole and the magnetic north pole. The magnetic pole was first discovered in 1831 and has been observed over the last century to be highly unstable, shifting massively every year and causing inaccuracies in navigation equipment readings, military reconnaissance activities, and global positioning systems. The North Pole moves an average of 50km every year and has shifted its position several times over the past century, currently moving further east and expected to come to rest in Siberia in a few years.
What causes geomagnetic jerking?
A new study published in Nature Geoscience attributes geomagnetic jerking to the liquid metallic core waving underneath the earth’s surface in its outermost core [3]. The earth’s magnetic field is provided by the churning liquid nickel and iron ore located about 1,800 miles below the surface. The study suggests that turbulence and the persistent movement of the fluid cause these jerks in the earth’s magnetic field.
These under-earth fluid movements happen at a rate of 6 miles per year and are caused by large bubbles of metal ore rising to the surface in rapid movements, sending magnetic waves up to the surface resulting in these geomagnetic jerks happening year-round.
Problems resulting from the movement of the magnetic north pole
The geomagnetic jerks may result in a weakened magnetic field, which is crucial for the earth’s habitability. Additionally, these jerks cause inaccuracies in observations made using the World Magnetic Model, affecting military, navigation, global positioning, and reconnaissance purposes.
The Siberian patch looks like it’s winning the battle,” says Phil Livermore, a geophysicist at the University of Leeds. “It’s sort of pulling the magnetic field all the way across to its side of the geographic pole.
All-out magnetic polar reversal? What happens to the earth then?
Once in every 780,000 years, a polar geomagnetic flip occurs [6], resulting in the earth’s magnetic poles switching positions. This could lead to a weakening of the magnetic field strength of the earth with potential consequences for radiation levels, navigational equipment, and animal navigation through magnetoreception.
However, scientists are still uncertain about when this reversal might occur again, so immediate panic is not necessary.
