Part of Earth's Magnetic Field is Getting Weaker in 'Vigorously' Developing Anomaly, Scientists Say

newsweek. ^ | 5/22/20 | Hannah Osborne

[BenLurkin]

Using satellite data, researchers believe an "anomaly" in the South Atlantic may have split in two, with the eastern section "developing vigorously."

Earth's magnetic field is generated by movements within the planet's molten iron core. ...When the magnetic field is stronger, it blocks more radiation. When it is weaker, more radiation reaches the planet's surface.

The magnetic field is constantly moving. It strengthens and weakens as part of normal fluctuations. According to the European Space Agency, the magnetic field has lost around 9 percent of its strength over the preceding two centuries. One section of the magnetic field has been found to have weakened considerably since 1970.

This patch, called the South Atlantic Anomaly, sits between Africa and South America. Over the last 50 years, it has grown and moved farther west at a rate of roughly 12 miles per hour. However, in the last five years, part of the anomaly appears to have split off into a cell which the ESA calls a "second center of minimum intensity" located southwest of Africa.

Matzka said the South Atlantic Anomaly is caused by parts of Earth's core that sit beneath South Africa, the South Atlantic and South America, where the geomagnetic field is going into the wrong direction.

"We call these areas 'reversed flux patches,'" he said. "The 'normal flux patches' produce the field that we measure at the surface, while the reversed flux patches decrease it, causing the low field intensity in the anomaly. So there must be further reversed flux patches at the core of the earth that cause the split into different cells at the surface."

"Even the International Space Station has to have extra radiation shielding to protect the astronauts on-board when it passes through this region," Case said. "As the anomaly expands, and the field weakens

[BenLurkin]

Updating a story from a couple years ago.

[LouieFisk]

Gotta be a global warming angle in it somewhere.

[Steely Tom]

We can blame this on Trump, right?

[MeganC]

1. It’s Trump’s fault.
2. Undeniable proof of global warming.

[Viking2002]

Dang migrants. First our troops tip Guam over, now all those refugees are shifting the magnetic field. *Ducks and runs like hell*

[Signalman]

The weaker the magnetic field, the more cases of skin cancer.

[ConservativeInPA]

This patch, called the South Atlantic Anomaly, sits between Africa and South America. Over the last 50 years, it has grown and moved farther west at a rate of roughly 12 miles per hour.

That's only 5.475 million miles.

[DoodleBob]

Nope.

[HighSierra5]

Gotta be a typo. Probably 12 miles per year.

[John Milner]

Yeah, I noticed that data seemed way off too. Probably meant 12 miles per year.

[rexthecat]

I’m 73. I don’t care.

[G Larry]

I must say, the world is losing some of its attraction......

[wastedyears]

There it is.

[Bob434]

i thought everything was looking a little less attractive

boo hissss- boooooo

[Ouchthatonehurt]

I’m thinking … perpetual lockdown?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Over the last 50 years, it has grown and moved farther west at a rate of roughly 12 miles per hour.

So it is beyond the moon and headed to Mars?

[Honest Nigerian]

Some recent story (here?) said the Sun was really quiet. Is there a connection?
Or does Sol have the Covid?

[Salvavida]

After reading the article......scientists do NOT know much of anything.

[oldbill]

Horrors!

Let’s Make America Magnetic Again.

[SaxxonWoods]

That’s only 5.475 million miles.

Yes, that’s what cracked me up too. I commented at the site about it. Science!