Earth Pole Shift

Each of approximately 200 thousand years or so, the two poles of the planet earth, north and south of each shift. Generally, the two poles shift takes thousands of years.

Scott Bogue, geologists from Occidental College and Jonathan Glen, researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), who observed the lava in the area of Nevada which has 15 million years old.

The result, from research, they discovered that the planet's poles have shifted several times faster than normal speed. At least one time.

"When the lava cools, it stores records of Earth's magnetic field," Bogue said, as quoted from Discovermagazine, December 23, 2010. "After watching the lava that has cooled for 2 consecutive years, it is known that the lava in the region shifted 53 degrees from the east to the north with a speed of 1 degree every week," he said.

Initially, they thought there was a mistake in their research. However, more detailed testing to confirm the shift pattern. Other evidence of the polar shift is recorded by lava flows in Oregon, which has been investigated in 1985 and then.

The geological record of Earth's magnetic field is also generally indicates that the north-south magnetic field shifted once each about 200 thousand years. The shift occurs slowly and requires a 4 thousand years to complete.

Although scientists are not yet sure what makes the shifting of the two poles, hot liquid metal that can conduct electricity that flows in the bowels of the earth is estimated to be the cause. Moreover, this substance is also likely to generate magnetic fields that exist at Earth's poles.

The findings are expected to trigger a wave of new debate. Some geologists argue that the current magnetic field is also undergoing a shift.

As reported in Science News, planet Earth's magnetic field has weakened during the last century. Nevertheless, the shift of the magnetic field will not have much affect human life.