Charlotte Edwards, Digital Technology and Science Reporter
Feb 19 2021, 7:25 ET
Updated: Feb 19 2021, 12:45 ET
Charlotte Edwards, Digital Technology and Science Reporter
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A DISASTROUS collapse of the Earth’s magnetic field wiped out the Neanderthals and could happen again, according to a new study.
Researchers say the event left Earth exposed to burning cosmic radiation and, unfortunately, think we re overdue a repeat.
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The Earth is protected from cosmic radiation by a magnetic field that stems from its magnetic polesCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Earth s magnetic field shields us from the cosmic radiation of space.
It stretches out from Earth s magnetic poles located at the north and south of the planet.
Study Suggests Earth s Protective Magnetic Shield Failed 42,000 Years Ago forbes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from forbes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Earth due another magnetic disaster that wiped out Neanderthals, scientists warn
Scientists say the disaster happened 42,000 years ago when Earth s magnetic poles flipped, exposing it to cosmic radiation from space. They suggested something is on the way
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Planet Earth Report -- The Douglas Adams Epoch to Earth s Earliest Life May Owe Existence to Viruses dailygalaxy.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailygalaxy.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Some 42,000 years ago, Earth’s magnetic poles switched, causing the magnetic field around the planet to temporarily collapse. According to a new study, the shift was apocalyptic, sparking major climate shifts filling the skies with electrical storms, widespread auroras, and cosmic radiation. The researchers even argue these major climate shifts and may have had a decisive role in the extinction of the Neanderthals and the giant megafauna that once roamed Australia.
It’s easy to assume that Earth’s magnetic poles are stable north is north and south is south. However, the magnetic poles can wander several kilometers every year, and based on geological records, it appears that Earth is long overdue for a total pole shift. This process is generally thought to be guided by the movement of the magnetic blobs of molten material swirling around the planet s interior.