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The Effects of a Polar Shift

Like a magnetic bar, the planet itself has two distinct, oppositely charged poles that aid in everything from the rotation of the Earth to the migration of birds. These poles are constantly changing and have, throughout the history of the world, flipped on a number of occasions; that is, north has become south and south has become north. Often called a polar shift, the event is more aptly named a geometrical reversal, and the effects of such a reversal would likely be more gradual and less severe than some people imagine.

  1. Time Frame

    • The Earth's poles have, on average, geomagnetically reversed every 300,000 years, based on the magnetic data collected from rocks. Scientists estimate that the last such reversal happened 780,000 years ago, making some people feel that a geomagnetic reversal is long overdue and that the event is imminent. Still, these reversals happen with extreme irregularity, with interim periods ranging from a few hundred years to tens of millions of years. Thus, there is no indication that the Earth is overdue for such a shift, and it may well be many millions of years before another reversal happens. And, even should a geomagnetic reversal occur, the entire process would take about 5,000 years to complete, making it hardly a sudden or catastrophic event.

    Technology

    • Should the next geomagnetic reversal happen within the life span of humanity, then certain forms of human technology would almost certainly be affected. Navigation equipment and satellites all rely on the Earth's poles as they are now. The poles would become much more chaotic during a geomagnetic reversal, meaning many potential malfunctions of navigation equipment and satellites during the reversal. After the reversal was finished, however, this technology could be revived, though magnetic north would be roughly where the south pole is today.

    Climate

    • The climate of the Earth would also likely change, particularly during the five-thousand-year reversal itself. Though nobody knows precisely how the climate would change during a pole reversal, the irregular magnetic fields and potential changes to the Earth's rotation could cause extreme weather or great variations in climate. This would undoubtedly spark severe changes in many of the Earth's ecosystems.

    Plants and Animals

    • The Earth's plants and animals would adapt during a geomagnetic reversal, particularly if the climate and ecosystems changed. There would likely be extinction of some species, and evolutionary changes in others to allow survival under new conditions. The Earth's inhabitants would most likely continue to thrive through change, as they have during previous geomagnetic reversals. And humans, as the most advanced animals on Earth, would likely be able to survive the reversal with relative ease, using technology to adapt to the slowly-changing world.

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