arth's magnetic field, also known as the geomagnetic field, is the magnetic field that extends from Earth's
interior out into space, where it interacts
with the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun. The magnetic field is generated by electric currents due to the motion
of convection currents of a mixture of molten iron and nickel in Earth's outer core: these convection currents are caused by heat escaping from the
core, a natural process called a geodynamo.
The magnitude of Earth's magnetic field at its surface ranges from 25 to 65 μT (0.25 to 0.65 G).[3] As an approximation, it is represented by a field of
a magnetic dipole currently tilted at an angle of about 11° with respect to Earth's rotational axis, as if there were an enormous bar magnet placed at
that angle through the center of Earth. The North geomagnetic pole actually represents the South pole of Earth's magnetic field, and conversely
the South geomagnetic pole corresponds to the north pole of Earth's magnetic field (because opposite magnetic poles attract and the north end of a
magnet, like a compass needle, points toward Earth's South magnetic field, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada).
While the North and South magnetic poles are usually located near the geographic poles, they slowly and continuously move over geological time
scales, but sufficiently slowly for ordinary compasses to remain useful for navigation. However, at irregular intervals averaging several hundred
thousand years, Earth's field reverses and the North and South Magnetic Poles respectively, abruptly switch places. These reversals of
the geomagnetic poles leave a record in rocks that are of value to paleomagnetists in calculating geomagnetic fields in the past. Such information in
turn is helpful in studying the motions of continents and ocean floors. The magnetosphere extends above the ionosphere that is defined by the extent
of Earth's magnetic field in space or geospace. It extends several tens of thousands of kilometres into space, protecting Earth from the charged
particles of the solar wind and cosmic rays that would otherwise strip away the upper atmosphere, including the ozone layer that protects Earth
from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Significance[edit]
Earth's magnetic field deflects most of the solar wind, whose charged particles would otherwise strip away the ozone layer that protects the Earth from
harmful ultraviolet radiation.[4] One stripping mechanism is for gas to be caught in bubbles of the magnetic field, which are ripped off by solar winds.
[5]
Calculations of the loss of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere of Mars, resulting from scavenging of ions by the solar wind, indicate that the
dissipation of the magnetic field of Mars caused a near total loss of its atmosphere.[6][7]
The study of the past magnetic field of the Earth is known as paleomagnetism.[8] The polarity of the Earth's magnetic field is recorded in igneous rocks,
and reversals of the field are thus detectable as "stripes" centered on mid-ocean ridges where the sea floor is spreading, while the stability of the
geomagnetic poles between reversals has allowed paleomagnetism to track the past motion of continents. Reversals also provide the basis
for magnetostratigraphy, a way of dating rocks and sediments.[9] The field also magnetizes the crust, and magnetic anomalies can be used to search for
deposits of metal ores.[10]
Humans have used compasses for direction finding since the 11th century A.D. and for navigation since the 12th century.[11] Although the magnetic
declination does shift with time, this wandering is slow enough that a simple compass can remain useful for navigation. Using magnetoreception,
various other organisms, ranging from some types of bacteria to pigeons, use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation [citation needed].
Characteristics[edit]
At any location, the Earth's magnetic field can be represented by a three-dimensional vector. A typical procedure for measuring its direction is to use a
compass to determine the direction of magnetic North. Its angle relative to true North is the declination (D) or variation. Facing magnetic North, the
angle the field makes with the horizontal is the inclination (I) or magnetic dip. The intensity (F) of the field is proportional to the force it exerts on a
magnet. Another common representation is in X (North), Y (Ea