When scientist suggest that we may experience a polar shift(reversing of the earth's magnetic field) does this mean the globe will flip, or just the earth's field? ie: will north become south and vice versa?
by 
bubblegum72
ANSWERS: 4
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yes, north will be south. Stupid theroy though.
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I take it from some science documentaries I've watched that it's just the internal magnetism that will change. Scientists have examined iron particles in the sea floor and found that they indicate semi-regular shifts in the earth's polarity over time (many eons). If the whole earth flipped around from time to time, it would result in the extinction of all life on the planet from massive earthquakes (that would make a severe earthquake my current standards look like a gentle breeze) and dire flooding from oceans getting slopped around. We know that life still abounds here, so it isn't likely the whole earth flips over. However, when the polarity of the earth's core changes, North America will have to be referred to as South America.
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Just the magnetic field will change, and it will take about 5000 years to do it. It is possible the process has already started: the earth 's magnetic field has weakened over recent years. If it were to happen, the main dipole component of the earth's magnetic field would weaken to zero, then re-emerge pointing in the opposite direction. Compasses would flip, but all the rest - the movement of sun, stars etc. - would remain unchanged.
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Yes, the magnetic field will flip, but it'll take quites some time, and solar radiation during that time will be very dangerous. It could cause another mass extinction.
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