“Solidifying core saved protection against the sun”
“the Earth’s magnetic field was extremely weak for 565 million years ago, according to a new study.”
“the Scientists behind the study believe that the field was near collapse at the time. Had the collapse occurred, the earth had lacked the protection against the radiation from the sun.”
“The new findings suggest that earth’s interior has a stormy history.”
“In the present, comprises the innermost part of the earth of a solid core of iron. But it has not always been so. For a long time was the essence for more liquid – and during the period where the magnetic field is weaker. First, when the core solidified, became the magnetic field powerful.”
“the Scientists, who publish their findings in Nature Geoscience, concludes that the core was fixed very late in the history of the planet. Probably solidified it in the nick of time, just before the magnetic field wiped out entirely, judging by the study.”
“Through the analysis of the magnetism in crystals in various rocks and minerals that was formed for 565 million years ago in eastern Quebec in Canada, the researchers found that the magnetic field must have been unusually low at the time. Luckily was avoided, however, the collapse, and eventually, when the inner core solidified, became the magnetic field stronger.”
“For life on earth, this was likely of great importance. But the field would the radiation from the sun become worse. In addition, we will be protected from the solar wind – the vast amounts of charged particles that streams out from the sun, which otherwise could lead to the earth losing parts of its atmosphere.”
“the Earth’s magnetic field consists of two opposite poles, one north Pole and one at the south pole. The magnetic field extends out from the earth several tens of thousands of kilometres – the so-called the magnetosphere.”
“the Field has been around for a very long time, but its strength has varied. In the planet’s youth, it was significantly weaker than today.”
“both poles have been thrown about repeatedly during the earth’s history, most recently for approximately 780 000 years ago.”
“Source: Nature Geoscience, NE”