Moving blobs in Earth's core may be linked to geomagnetic jerks
- 5 years ago
PARIS — The origin of geomagnetic jerks are unknown, but new research on the topic offers a possible explanation.
Earth's magnetic field serves as a protection against solar and cosmic radiation. It originates in the Earth's core. Whenever there is movement in the core, Earth's magnetic field shifts. When these movements occur suddenly, they are called geomagnetic jerks.
According to a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, Earth's sudden magnetic shifts may be caused by floating blobs of molten matter originating from the depths of the Earth's core.
The team of researchers developed a computer simulation that mimics movements on the Earth's outer core over several decades, effectively recreating the conditions that take place right before a geomagnetic jerk will happen.
Results showed that the sudden jerks happened when the Earth's inner core emitted hydromagnetic waves. As these waves move outwards and reach the surface of the Earth's core they become amplified and create movements that can be compared to geomagnetic jerks.
Earth's magnetic field serves as a protection against solar and cosmic radiation. It originates in the Earth's core. Whenever there is movement in the core, Earth's magnetic field shifts. When these movements occur suddenly, they are called geomagnetic jerks.
According to a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, Earth's sudden magnetic shifts may be caused by floating blobs of molten matter originating from the depths of the Earth's core.
The team of researchers developed a computer simulation that mimics movements on the Earth's outer core over several decades, effectively recreating the conditions that take place right before a geomagnetic jerk will happen.
Results showed that the sudden jerks happened when the Earth's inner core emitted hydromagnetic waves. As these waves move outwards and reach the surface of the Earth's core they become amplified and create movements that can be compared to geomagnetic jerks.