THE North Pole is on the move. Scientists have found large holes appearing in the Earth's magnetic field, suggesting the north and south poles are preparing to reverse positions in a magnetic flip.

A period of chaos could be imminent when compasses no longer point north, migrating animals head in the wrong direction and satellites are burnt up by solar radiation.

The holes lie over the south Atlantic and the Arctic. The changes were revealed after detailed data from the Danish Orsted satellite was analysed. Results were compared with data from earlier satellites.

The speed of the change has surprised scientists. Nils Olsen, of the Centre for Planetary Science in Denmark, one of several centres analysing the data, said the Earth's core appeared to be undergoing dramatic changes. He added: "This could be the state in which the Earth's geodynamo operates before reversing."

The geodynamo is the way the magnetic field is generated: by currents of molten iron flowing around a solid core. Sometimes giant vortices form in the liquid metal and they can change or even reverse the magnetic fields above them.

Olsen's team believes vortices have formed beneath the North Pole and south Atlantic. If they become powerful enough they could reverse all the other currents, causing the north and south poles to switch places.

Andy Jackson, a specialist in geomagnetism at Leeds University, said a change was long overdue: "Such flips normally happen every 500,000 years, but it has been 750,000 years since the last one."

The change could affect humans and wildlife.

The magnetosphere gives vital protection against searing solar radiation that would otherwise sterilise Earth.

Although the magnetic field would probably not disappear altogether, it may weaken while the poles switch. The resulting surge in radiation could cause cancers, reduce crops and confuse migrating animals, including whales and pigeons.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2003

Answers

>if Earth's poles flip

Yes, if they flip, this could be a Bad Thing. Right now, this worry is filed right along with Planet X articles.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2003

To be honest, I had to check to make sure it wasn't an Onion article. Not much we can do to prepare for THAT eventuality.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2003

The question is, will just the magnetic orientation flip, or will the globe also suffer displacements? And if I pay to have my surveyor finish the job soon, will my borders still be legal after the poles flip? This is a very important news item with far-reaching consequences...

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2003