Page 5 - 201212 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - December 2012

Beyond 2012: Why the World Didn't End Beyond 2012: Why the World Didn't End Continued from Page 4 Sediment cores taken from deep ocean floors can tell scientists about magnetic polarity shifts, providing a direct link between magnetic field activity and the fossil record. The Earth’s magnetic field determines the magnetization of lava as it is laid down on the ocean floor on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Rift where the North American and European continental plates are spreading apart. As the lava solidifies, it creates a record of the orientation of past magnetic fields much like a tape recorder records sound. The last time that Earth's poles flipped in a major reversal was about 780,000 years ago, in what scientists call the Brunhes- Matuyama reversal. The fossil record shows no drastic changes in plant or animal life. Deep ocean sediment cores from this period also indicate no changes in glacial activity, based on the amount of oxygen isotopes in the cores. This is also proof that a polarity reversal would not affect the rotation axis of Earth, as the planet's rotation axis tilt has a significant effect on polarity reversals are not entirely predictable – storms. But there is no special risk associated climate and glaciation and any change would be the north pole's movement could subtly change with 2012. The next solar maximum will occur evident in the glacial record. direction, for instance – there is nothing in the in the 2012-2014 time frame and is predicted to Earth's polarity is not a constant. Unlike millions of years of geologic record to suggest be an average solar cycle, no different than a classic bar magnet, or the decorative magnets that any of the 2012 doomsday scenarios previous cycles throughout history. [] on your refrigerator, the matter governing connected to a pole reversal should be taken Earth's magnetic field moves around. seriously. A reversal might, however, be good Geophysicists are pretty sure that the reason business for magnetic compass manufacturers. Dumb Earth has a magnetic field is because its solid iron core is surrounded by a fluid ocean of hot, Q: Is the Earth in danger of being hit Predictions liquid metal. This process can also be modeled by a meteor in 2012? with supercomputers. Ours is, without A: The Earth has always been subject to hyperbole, a dynamic planet. The flow of liquid impacts by comets and asteroids, although big ``The abolishment of pain in surgery is a iron in Earth's core creates electric currents, hits are very rare. The last big impact was 65 chimera. It is absurd to go on seeking it today. which in turn create the magnetic field. So while million years ago, and that led to the extinction Knife and pain are two separate words in parts of Earth's outer core are too deep for of the dinosaurs. Today NASA astronomers are surgery that forever must be associated in the scientists to measure directly, we can infer carrying out a survey called the Spaceguard consciousness of the patient. To this compulsory movement in the core by observing changes in Survey to find any large near-Earth asteroids combination we shall have to adjust ourselves.`` the magnetic field. The magnetic north pole has long before they hit. We have already - Dr Alfred Velpeau, 1839 been creeping northward – by more than 600 determined that there are no threatening Anaesthesia was introduced 7 years later. miles (1,100 km) – since the early 19th century, asteroids as large as the one that killed the when explorers first located it precisely. It is dinosaurs. All this work is done openly with the ``While theoretically and technology television moving faster now, actually, as scientists discoveries posted every day on the NASA may be feasible, commercially and financially I estimate the pole is migrating northward about Near-Earth Object Program Office website, so consider it an impossibility, a development of 40 miles per year, as opposed to about 10 miles you can see for yourself that nothing is which we need waste little time dreaming.`` per year in the early 20th century. predicted to hit in 2012. - Lee De Forest Another doomsday hypothesis about a ``Father of Radio``1926 geomagnetic flip plays up fears about incoming Q: How do NASA scientists feel about solar activity. This suggestion mistakenly claims of the world ending in 2012? `` At present. Few scientists foresee any serious assumes that a pole reversal would momentarily A: For any claims of disaster or dramatic or practical use for atomic energy. The regard leave Earth without the magnetic field that changes in 2012, where is the science? Where is the atom-splitting experiments as useful steps in protects us from solar flares and coronal mass the evidence? There is none, and for all the the attempt to describe the atom more ejections from the sun. But, while Earth's fictional assertions, whether they are made in accurately, not as the key to the unlocking of magnetic field can indeed weaken and books, movies, documentaries or over the any new power.`` strengthen over time, there is no indication that Internet, we cannot change that simple fact. - Fortune Magazine, 1938 it has ever disappeared completely. A weaker There is no credible evidence for any of the field would certainly lead to a small increase in assertions made in support of unusual events ``What can be more palpably absurd then the solar radiation on Earth – as well as a beautiful taking place in December 2012. prospect held out of locomotive traveling twice display of aurora at lower latitudes -- but as fast as stagecoaches.`` nothing deadly. Moreover, even with a Q: Is there a danger from giant solar - The Quarterly Review, 1825 weakened magnetic field, Earth's thick storms predicted for 2012? atmosphere also offers protection against the A: Solar activity has a regular cycle, ``The ordinary `horseless carriage` is at present sun's incoming particles. with peaks approximately every 11 years. Near a luxury for the wealthy; and although its price The science shows that magnetic pole these activity peaks, solar flares can cause some will probably fall in the future, it will never, of reversal is – in terms of geologic time scales – a interruption of satellite communications, course, come into as common use as the common occurrence that happens gradually although engineers are learning how to build bicycle.`` over millennia. While the conditions that cause electronics that are protected against most solar - The Literary Digest, 1889