Geophysicists from the University of Leeds have found that the anomalous changes observed in the Earth's magnetic field in
At extremely high temperatures deep underThe earth's core is a mass of rotating molten iron that acts like a dynamo, scientists explain. When molten iron moves, it generates the Earth's global magnetic field. Convective currents cause the dynamo to spin as heat flows from the core into the mantle, a layer of rock that extends about 3,000 km below the Earth's crust.
Seismic data analysis and modelingshowed that the cooling process of convective flows does not occur uniformly throughout the Earth. These changes cause anomalies in the Earth's magnetic field. Scientists have found that there are areas of the mantle, such as those under Africa and the Pacific Ocean, that are particularly hot. These regions reduce the cooling effect of the core, which causes regional or local changes in the properties of the magnetic field.
Where the mantle is hotter, the magnetic fieldthe upper part of the core is likely to be weaker, scientists believe, and vice versa. For example, this effect is responsible for the weakening of the magnetic field over the South Atlantic. The anomalies are caused by differences in the rate at which heat escapes from the Earth's core into the mantle, scientists add. The location in the Earth's internal structure where these heat flow differences occur determines how long they can last.
One of the functions of the magnetic field in space isdeflect charged particles emitted by the Sun. When the magnetic field is weaker, this protective shield is not as effective. Therefore, when satellites pass over this area, these charged particles can disable instruments or disrupt their operation.
Jonathan Mound, geophysicist and study co-author
Read more:
The secret of longevity is revealed: scientists have figured out how to start the necessary mechanism in the human body
Named a new cause of autism
Notre Dame fire helps scientists unravel the secret of the cathedral's construction