Geomagnetic Field Polarity Changes

Abstract

The Earth’s magnetic field, or geomagnetic field, forms the magnetosphere around Earth, which shields our habitat from cosmic radiation and solar wind. It is generated by dynamic processes in Earth’s fluid outer core and changes constantly. These changes are slow on human timescales, but can be drastic on geological scales: over Earth’s history, the geomagnetic field has changed its polarity multiple times. While the occurrence of such events is firmly established, the underlying processes in Earth’s core and potential consequences for our habitat are not well understood.