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Friday, 29 March 2024

Mysterious weak spot in the Earth's magnetic field is spreading: ESA

Credit: Reuters - 3D Animations (Next Me
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Mysterious weak spot in the Earth's magnetic field is spreading: ESA
Mysterious weak spot in the Earth's magnetic field is spreading: ESA

A mysterious anomaly in the Earth's magnetic field that stretches from South America to Africa is spreading.

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RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN A mysterious anomaly in the Earth's magnetic field that stretches from South America to Africa is spreading and scientists do not understand why.

New data from the European Space Agency's SWARM constellation of satellites show that a weak spot in the Earth's magnetic field known as the South Atlantic Anomaly has been growing in size since 1970 and may possibly be developing a second cell centered above the coast of southwest Africa.

The Earth's magnetic field, which is generated by the dynamo action of its molten metal core, protects the planet from the full impact of solar and cosmic radiation.

According to the ESA, over the last two centuries, the global magnetic field has lost 9 percent of its strength on a global average.

For now, the most significant effect of the weakening of the South Atlantic Anomaly is interference with satellites and spacecraft that pass over the region.

However, the Earth's magnetic field destabilizes and reconstitutes itself over geological time, with sometimes even the north and south magnetic poles trading places.

According to the ESA, it is not clear what is causing the weakening of the South Atlantic Anomaly, but it could be related to the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province, one of two giant underground masses of rock that float like hidden continents where the Earth's mantle meets the outer core.

RUNDOWN SHOWS: 1.

South Atlantic Anomaly and emergence of a possible second cell on a map 2.

Earth's magnetic field is generated by the dynamo action of its molten metal core 3.

Earth's magnetic field protects the planet from solar and cosmic radiation 4.

Satellite in orbit over Earth 5.

African Large Low Shear Velocity Province and Pacific Large Low Shear Velocity Province VOICEOVER (in English): "New data from the European Space Agency's SWARM constellation of satellites show that a weak spot in the Earth's magnetic field known as the South Atlantic Anomaly has been growing in size since 1970 and may possibly be developing a second cell centered above the coast of southwest Africa." "The Earth's magnetic field, which is generated by the dynamo action of its molten metal core, protects the planet from the full impact of solar and cosmic radiation.

According to the ESA, over the last two centuries, the global magnetic field has lost 9 percent of its strength on a global average." "For now, the most significant effect of the weakening of the South Atlantic Anomaly is interference with satellites and spacecraft that pass over the region.

However, the Earth's magnetic field destabilizes and reconstitutes itself over geological time, with sometimes even the north and south magnetic poles trading places." "According to the ESA, it is not clear what is causing the weakening of the South Atlantic Anomaly, but it could be related to the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province, one of two giant underground masses of rock that float like hidden continents where the Earth's mantle meets the outer core." SOURCES: European Space Agency, Geophysical Journal International https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Swarm/Swarm_probes_weakening_of_Earth_s_magnetic_field https://academic.oup.com/gji/article/207/2/1122/2583772 *** For story suggestions please contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw For technical and editorial support, please contact: Asia: +61 2 93 73 1841 Europe: +44 20 7542 7599 Americas and Latam: +1 800 738 8377

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