South Atlantic Anomaly's Expansion Threatens Satellites

Rahul Somvanshi

The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is a vast region over South America and the southern Atlantic Ocean where Earth's magnetic field has weakened significantly.

Photo Source - NASA Goddard space flight center (CC BY 2.0)

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Earth's magnetic field acts as our planet's protective bubble, deflecting harmful radiation and charged particles from the Sun.

Photo Source: NASA Goddard (CC BY 2.0)

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Satellites passing through the region experience higher radiation levels, which can have real consequences for technology.

Photo source: NASA (CC0)

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The anomaly begins roughly 2,900 kilometers (1800 miles) below Africa, where scientists have identified a massive, dense region called the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province (LLSVP).

Photo Source: Terrs Rara (X)

This structure disrupts the flow of liquid iron in Earth's outer core – the process that generates our magnetic field.

Photo source: Argonne National Laboratory (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

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The anomaly isn't just growing; it's splitting into two distinct centers of magnetic weakness.

Photo Source: Shayari Gaurgi (X)

Ancient burned clay structures from the Limpopo River Valley contain magnetic records showing similar field weaknesses in the past.

Photo source: Olga Ernst (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Some have wondered if the weakening field signals an impending magnetic pole reversal; however evidence of previous anomalies suggests this may simply be part of a repeating pattern.

Photo source: Fatma alharthi (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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NASA has dedicated significant resources to tracking the anomaly through satellites like the Swarm constellation.

Photo source: NASAAmes (x)

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