Hold on Tight! Earth's Magnetic Field May Be Preparing to Flip!
News story originally written on May 20, 2003
What is the world's largest magnet?
It is the Earth's magnetic field, of course!
Scientists say that the magnetic field has been getting a little weaker. This might be a sign that a magnetic field reversal is beginning. That's when the North and South magnetic poles flip.
The magnetic field does not change overnight. It takes thousands of years. The magnetic field strength decreases slowly. Then, it returns a few thousand years later with the magnetic poles reversed. So the magnetic North Pole is actually in the South and the magnetic South Pole is in the North!
Magnetic reversals have happened many times in the past and did not harm the animals and plants that lived long ago.
Last modified May 22, 2003 by Lisa Gardiner.
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