South Atlantic Anomaly
For years, scientists have been gripped by the existence of a strange
anomaly weakening Earth's magnetic field. It's located in the midst of
the South Atlantic ocean, extending all the way from South America to
the west coast of southern Africa. This giant, puzzling expanse of
reduced magnetic intensity - which in recent times looks to be splitting
into two divided entities - means the region offers less protection
against harmful radiation from the Sun for Earth's satellites. That's a
problem for spacecraft today. But perhaps the greatest significance of
the South Atlantic Anomaly
is what it might mean for tomorrow: specifically, whether the
mysterious phenomenon foreshadows the beginnings of a complete polar
reversal of Earth's magnetic field. Such giant magnetic flips have
occurred many times in our planet's history, and some scientists have
speculated that the South Atlantic Anomaly could be a kind of precursor
to these rare global transitions.
Vast Anomaly in Earth's Magnetic Field Keeps Growing, Satellites Reveal Science Alert - October 14, 2025
NASA
has been monitoring a strange 'growing' anomaly in Earth's magnetic
field: a giant region of lower magnetic intensity in the skies above the
planet, stretching out between South America and southwest Africa Science Alert - December 29, 2024
Marker for the collapse of key Atlantic current discovered Live Science - February 9, 2024
Ocean system that moves heat gets closer to collapse, which could cause weather chaos PhysOrg - February 9, 2024
An abrupt shutdown of Atlantic Ocean currents that could put large parts
of Europe in a deep freeze is looking a bit more likely and closer than
before as a new complex computer simulation finds a "cliff-like"
tipping point looming in the future.
NASA
is actively monitoring a strange anomaly in Earth's magnetic field: a
giant region of lower magnetic intensity in the skies above the planet,
stretching out between South America and southwest Africa Science Alert - March 23, 2023
