Earth's magnetic field re-explained by new evidence ...

by Alexa Smith Banned
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"Earth's magnetic field shields the life on our planet's surface from cosmic rays. It is generated by turbulent motions of liquid iron in Earth's core. Iron is a metal, which means it can easily conduct a flow of electrons. New findings show that a missing piece of the traditional theory explaining why metals become less conductive when they are heated was needed to complete the puzzle of this field-generating process."

Source and full story: Missing link in metal physics explains Earth's magnetic field -- ScienceDaily


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  • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
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    You still single?
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      "Earth's magnetic field shields the life on our planet's surface from cosmic rays. It is generated by turbulent motions of liquid iron in Earth's core. Iron is a metal, which means it can easily conduct a flow of electrons. New findings show that a missing piece of the traditional theory explaining why metals become less conductive when they are heated was needed to complete the puzzle of this field-generating process."

      Source and full story: Missing link in metal physics explains Earth's magnetic field -- ScienceDaily


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      Hmmm, not sure whether this theory fits in with established science, but it is a good theory!


      I, know dumb people, but spending a billion to drill down half way into the Earth is pretty cool!


      Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

      You still single?
      LOL, she isn't your type WC, trust me on that one!

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      • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
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          • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

      You still single?
      It is easy to see why you are.

      I remember how we use to complain about the missteps of Freelancer and how they were destroying the WF.

      ...

      They can't hold a candle to the Emotionally Needy and the Claudettes when it comes to the degradation of the Off-Topic Forum.
      I rest my case.

      http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...pic-forum.html

      Joe Mobley
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  • Profile picture of the author Leriqs
    Often wondered why the magnetic field had a polarity reversal. I am sure that the heating cause variation in the flux generation, but there has to be some other mechanism, that is also present that is not realised by current papers on the subject. I would also imagine that as we spin through the magnetoshere of the sun there are electric field generated, in the molten core of the earth, so earth sun distance would also need to be accounted for, as well as solar maxima and minima.

    Just thinking outloud a interesting subject though
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by Leriqs View Post

      Often wondered why the magnetic field had a polarity reversal. I am sure that the heating cause variation in the flux generation, but there has to be some other mechanism, that is also present that is not realised by current papers on the subject. I would also imagine that as we spin through the magnetoshere of the sun there are electric field generated, in the molten core of the earth, so earth sun distance would also need to be accounted for, as well as solar maxima and minima.

      Just thinking outloud a interesting subject though
      Gee, here we were trying to derail this thread with WC's love life, (or lack of it) and you ask an intelligent and thought provoking statement like that!

      Since you are new here, you are forgiven!


      Hmmm, WC and Claudette,.....when is the wedding???

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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Alexa,

      I find this stuff fascinating. One thing the article did not mention is how long they think this "thermal convection" can go on.(?)

      On another point, when I hear about an earth-like planet being discovered, the first thought is "magnetic field?" If no magnetic field then no atmosphere. With no atmosphere there is probably not much chance of life.

      Good find.

      Joe Mobley
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Originally Posted by Leriqs View Post

      Often wondered why the magnetic field had a polarity reversal.
      That's a great question. That's a question that deserves an answer... sure wish I had one.

      Reversals are the rule, not the exception. Earth has settled in the last 20 million years into a pattern of a pole reversal about every 200,000 to 300,000 years, although it has been more than twice that long since the last reversal. A reversal happens over hundreds or thousands of years, and it is not exactly a clean back flip.
      NASA - 2012: Magnetic Pole Reversal Happens All The (Geologic) Time


      Originally Posted by Leriqs View Post

      Just thinking outloud a interesting subject though
      Agreed.

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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Alexa - very interesting. Thanks for the share.

    Joe - part of what keeps earth "alive" is continental drift, which allows for the recycling of crust material, which also provides a continuum for convection.

    The magnetic field is effected also by continental drift as centrifugal force shifting land masses also changes directions of the melted mantle flow. It's this drift and fluctuation of flow that effects pole shifting. Magnetism does not disappear during polar shifts, it decentralizes so you get several poles and magnetism becomes regionalized until the poles snap back into one N and S pole field again. Then mass starts aligning with the new poles again (during which time we experience lots of larger earthquakes as land realigns). As the land shifts the cycle of change in mantle flow continues and the cycles start all over again. If we didn't have continental drift, our magnetism would be long gone by now - and so would our atmosphere.
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