Science a GoGo's Home Page Forums General Discussion General Science Discussion Forum what causes the pole shift?

I want to know what causes the magnetic poles of earth to shift slightly.

So does every geophysicist on the planet: Get in line.

i can tell you that every few hundered million years that the poles reverse. the is the method scientist use to calculate the rate of sea floor spreading, as the basalt oceanic crust retains the polarity of the Earth when the rock was formed from magma at a mid ocean ridge. as the earths polarity switches (very rapidly when it happens) it forms a striped effect of higher than arerage and lowwer than average magnetic strength parallel to the mid ocean ridge. as for why the poles reverse and slightly shift the only theory that i have heard (from Dr. ian blanchard, a geologist i work with) is interaction between the outer liquid core and iner soild core altering, having small effects most of the time and massive effects rarely. however he is unaware of the theory that satisfactorly explains polar shift.

Yeah well I know why - and we will never understand it because its Demons that shift the poles.

And its Angels that keep shifting them back.

And you can prove it scientifically through prayer.

Just kidding - trying to wind Dan up.

Blacknad.

It happens a lot more frequently than that. Models indicate that we may be in for one very soon. See: http://www.geotimes.org/june04/NN_magpole.html

it this gradual or sudden, or is it sometimes gradual and sometimes sudden? -the link was not specific about this.

From the geological time perspective, it's sudden. I think the process takes at least 1,000 years or more, but I'm not really sure.

Interesting.
I assume that as the earth's interior cools,
these magnetic flips will become less frequent,
and finally stop?
The pidgeons will be pleased. Are there any other
life forms that use the Earths mag field?