【Epoch Times, October 27, 2024】It is well known that the Earth’s magnetic field is crucial for life, but people have never been able to see or hear the Earth’s magnetic field before. Now, a fascinating new video showcases the most recent Earth magnetic field reversal event that occurred about 41,000 years ago, with the strange and squeaking sound in the footage being converted from geomagnetic signal data.
The Earth’s magnetic field or magnetosphere first formed approximately 3.7 billion years ago, generated by the rotating metal ocean in the Earth’s outer core. This magnetic field acts as a shield, protecting us from the onslaught of strong solar winds. Occasionally, this magnetic field gets disturbed by stronger solar winds, resulting in the mesmerizing auroras when particle flows interact with the gases in the Earth’s magnetic field.
Moreover, every few hundred thousand years, the Earth’s magnetic poles undergo a reversal.
In a recent study published by the European Space Agency (ESA) on October 10, researchers from the German Research Centre for Geosciences and the Technical University of Denmark created a visual representation of the most recent Earth magnetic field reversal event called the “Laschamp Event” by mapping the previous motion of Earth’s magnetic field lines.
To watch the video, click here.
NASA states that the Laschamp Event occurred about 41,000 years ago, causing a brief reversal of the Earth’s magnetic field. During this period, the Earth’s magnetic field weakened progressively, dropping to at least 5% of the current strength. According to the European Space Agency, this allowed more cosmic rays to enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
Evidence of such geomagnetic excursions can be found in ancient lava flows, where certain isotopes in these lava flows show abnormally high proportions, attributed to increased levels of cosmic rays.
In 2013, the European Space Agency launched three Swarm satellites aimed at helping humans understand how the Earth’s magnetic field is generated. These satellites monitor unique magnetic signals from the Earth’s core, mantle, crust, oceans, and the Earth’s outer magnetosphere. They also reveal new data about space weather.
On October 10, the European Space Agency released a new video showing how the magnetic field lines inside the magnetosphere twisted and weakened during the Laschamp Event. This animated video covers approximately 3,000 years, created using data from the Swarm mission. These data also helped researchers create an unsettling “audio” to accompany the visuals, emphasizing the enormous pressure the magnetosphere endured during the magnetic field reversal event.
In a statement, the researchers wrote, “The process of converting data into sound is similar to composing music based on a musical score.” However, the team did not use musical instruments; instead, they recorded natural noises like creaking wood and falling rocks to merge these sounds together, creating an eerie “alien-like sound.”
According to the European Space Agency website, Klaus Nielsen, a musician from the Technical University of Denmark and project supporter, said, “The team used data from the European Space Agency’s Swarm satellites and other sources to manipulate and control the sound waves of the core field.”
“This project is undoubtedly a beneficial attempt to merge art and science,” he said.
Nielsen continued, “Of course, the purpose is not to scare people – this is a unique way to remind us of the existence of our magnetic field, and although its roar is somewhat unsettling, the presence of life on Earth depends on it.”
(This article references reports from “USA Today” and Space website)