Earth's magnetic field 'simpler than we thought' | M.H. Walczak et al

Created by : Francis Goodwin View profile

A composite image of the Western hemisphere of the Earth. Credit: NASAJuly 7, 2017 (Phys.org) -- Scientists have identified patterns in the Earth's magnetic field that evolve on the order of 1,000 years, providing new insight into how the field works and adding a measure of predictability to changes in the field not previously known.

The discovery also will allow researchers to study the planet's past with finer resolution by using this geomagnetic "fingerprint" to compare sediment cores taken from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Results of the research, which was supported by the National Science Foundation, were recently published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters.

(more)