Climate Change and the Earth's Magnetic Poles,
A Possible
Connection
Author: Kerton, Adrian K.
Source: Energy & Environment, Volume 20, Numbers 1-2, January 2009 , pp.
75-83(9)
Publisher: Multi-Science Publishing Co Ltd
Abstract:
Many natural mechanisms have been proposed for climate change during the past
millennia, however, none of these appears to have accounted for the change in
global temperature seen over the second half of the last century. As such the
rise in temperature has been attributed to man made mechanisms. Analysis of the
movement of the Earth's magnetic poles over the last 105 years demonstrates
strong correlations between the position of the north magnetic, and geomagnetic
poles, and both northern hemisphere and global temperatures. Although these
correlations are surprising, a statistical analysis shows there is a less than
one percent chance they are random, but it is not clear how movements of the
poles affect climate. Links between changes in the Earth's magnetic field and
climate change, have been proposed previously although the exact mechanism is
disputed. These include: The Earth's magnetic field affects the energy transfer
rates from the solar wind to the Earth's atmosphere which in turn affects the
North Atlantic Oscillation. Movement of the poles changes the geographic
distribution of galactic and solar cosmic rays, moving them to particularly
climate sensitive areas. Changes in distribution of ultraviolet rays resulting
from the movement of the magnetic field, may result in increases in the death
rates of carbon sinking oceanic plant life such as phytoplankton.
Keywords: MAGNETIC POLES; DRIFT; CLIMATE; COSMIC RAYS
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1260/095830509787689286
Although correlation does no prove cause, there is a significant body of evidence in paleomagnetic studies linking aspects of the Earth's magnetic field with climate.
Here are 3 of the graphs from the paper which you can download as a pdf below. I would be grateful for any comments.
Cheers
Adrian
I am indebted to Professor Jan Veizer for his help and guidance in writing my first scientific paper.