Earths magnetic field acts like a giant invisible bubble that shields the planet from the dangerous cosmic radiation spewing from the sun in the form of solar winds. The field exists because Earth has a giant ball of iron at its core surrounded by an outer layer of molten metal. Changes in the cores temperature and Earths rotation boil and swirl the liquid metal around in the outer core, creating magnetic field lines. The movement of the molten metal is why some areas of the magnetic field strengthen while others weaken, Florberghagen said. When the boiling in one area of the outer core slows down, fewer currents of charged particles are released, and the magnetic field over the surface weakens. The flow of the liquid outer core almost pulls the magnetic field around with it, Floberghagen said. So, a field weakening over the American continent would mean that the flow in the outer core below America is slowing down.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:45:32 +0000
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