Magnetic Pole Shift: 5% Field Strength Drop Raises Global Concerns

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Earth's magnetic field, preserved in a tree for 42,000 years, recorded a time when our planet's magnetic field behaved very differently.

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The tree's rings showed that Earth's magnetic field weakened dramatically during this period, dropping to just 5%.

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Earth's magnetic field protects us from harmful solar radiation. When it weakens, cosmic rays enter and reach Earth's surface.

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Your phone's navigation systems require updates every five years as the magnetic pole moves.

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One current concern is the South Atlantic Anomaly, an area where Earth's magnetic field has become particularly weak.

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Satellites passing through this region face higher radiation levels, affecting everything from TV signals to GPS accuracy.

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Using recordings of creaking wood and crashing rocks, scientists have made Earth's magnetic changes something we can hear.

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Understanding Earth's magnetic changes helps us protect the technology we depend on.

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