Earth's magnetic field is weakening between Africa and South America, causing problems for satellites and spacecraft.
Scientists studying the phenomenon have observed that an area of depression in the Earth's magnetic field known as the “South Atlantic Anomaly” has grown considerably in recent years, although the reason and origin of this magnetic anomaly are not entirely clear. It is not yet a form of reversal of the Earth's magnetic poles, but it is certainly an anomalous distribution of the Earth's magnetic field. Something not without consequences, obviously.
Using data on electromagnetism and terrestrial magnetism collected by the European Space Agency (ESA) satellite constellation, researchers noted that this phenomenon grew by more than 8% between 1970 and 2020.
“A new minimum value of the South Atlantic Anomaly has appeared in the last decade and has been developing vigorously in recent years,” said Jurgen Matzka, of the German Research Center for Geosciences.
“We are very fortunate to have the Swarm satellites in orbit to investigate the magnetic axis and development of the South Atlantic Anomaly. The challenge now is to understand the processes at the core of Terra that drive these changes."
One possibility, according to ESA, is that the field is weakening it is a sign that the earth's magnetic field is about to reverse, so the north and south poles reposition themselves. The inversion of the Earth's magnetic field, however, would be much faster than expected.
The last time a “geomagnetic reversal,” a reversal of the Earth's poles, occurred 780.000 years ago. Several studies conclude that the next such event is long overdue. Typically, such magnetic reversal events take place every 250.000 years.
The repercussions of such an event could be significant, because the Earth's magnetic field plays an important role in protecting the planet from solar winds and harmful cosmic radiation.
Telecommunication and satellite systems also rely on the magnetic field for their operation. Computers and cell phones may also have difficulties.
ESA warns that the South Atlantic Anomaly, this physical shift of Earth's magnetic fields, is already causing problems with satellites orbiting Earth. Spacecraft in orbit may also experience “technical malfunctions.”
It's not the only hypothesis
A 2018 study published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences came to a different conclusion. Despite the weakened magnetic field, the study says, “Earth's magnetic field is probably not reversing.”
The study also explained that the process is not instantaneous and could take tens of thousands of years.
ESA said it will continue to monitor the weakening of the magnetic field with its constellation of Swarm satellites.
The mystery of the South Atlantic Anomaly has not yet been solved.
ESA
