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What Would Happen if Earth's Poles Flipped
What Would Happen if Earth's Poles Flipped?
Hypothesis 1
If the magnetic poles flipped, then organisms on Earth would be exposed to direct radiation/secondary radiation from beryllium-10.
Reason
I believe this would happen because it has been shown that, in the past, when the magnetic poles switch, it causes the magnetic field to fade away. It then reappears once the poles have completely switched around. Since the switching of the poles takes an extremely long time, organisms would be exposed to radiation. If the atmosphere stopped it instead, the radiation will break down and give organisms secondary radiation from beryllium-10 or other radioactive particles.
Hypothesis 2
If the Earths poles reverse, then the tectonic plates will move around and cause one colossal, worldwide earthquake.
Reason
While many people believe this, there is no scientific evidence from past reversals that this will happen. This could happen, but it would take millions of years as the liquid core only just barely touches the mantle.
Hypothesis 3
If the poles reverse, then birds and other animals that rely on the magnetic field to migrate will become confused and extinct.
Reason
This could actually happen because many birds, sea creatures, and even bacteria depend on the magnetic field to know where they are going. So if birds went South for the winter instead of North, they could freeze to death and die.
Sources:
- http://bit.ly/1hL752s
- http://1.usa.gov/1eQSKAa
- http://bit.ly/1mcoaSj
- https://bitly.com/
On a side note, compasses would reverse.
Hypothesis 4
If the Earths poles reverse, then there will be several volcanic eruptions that cover the sky in ash.
Reason
While it is highly unlikely, it could happen from the liquid core heating up tremendously because of the magnetic field being gone/weakened and convecting heat up into volcanoes, causing eruptions. This would also cause everything to go extinct because no plants would be able to get sunlight, so they would die, then the herbivores, then the carnivores, then humans. The insects and bacteria would be the last to go as they consume less and eat waste.
Hypothesis 5
If the poles flipped, then there will be another glacial period.
Reason
This could happen or it could not. The last time the poles switched was during the last glacial period, so it could have caused them to melt faster. So the flip could either cause a new glacial period, or heat up the atmosphere a lot more.