Breaking News English

Earth's magnetic poles are about to flip

Magnetic Poles - Level 4

Scientists often warn us about climate change, asteroids or nuclear war. Now scientists have warned of the threat of Earth's magnetic poles reversing. The poles create the magnetic shield around Earth. This protects us from deadly radiation. Life on Earth depends on this shield. The poles could flip in the next thousand years because the molten iron turning around Earth's center is changing direction. This molten iron is like a gigantic electromagnet.

Earth's poles flip roughly every 250,000 years. The last time was 780,000 years ago. The next flip could destroy communications and power grids; deadly solar rays could increase rates of cancer; and climate change could kill many species. A polar flip could even blow Earth's atmosphere away. One scientist dismissed the danger from increased radiation from the poles flipping. He said it would be as harmful as lying on a beach for a day without wearing a hat.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Magnetic Poles - Level 5

When scientists warn us about threats to our existence, we usually hear about climate change, asteroids or nuclear war. Now scientists have warned of the threat of Earth's magnetic poles flipping upside down. The poles are responsible for the magnetic shield around Earth. This protects us from deadly radiation. Life on Earth depends on this shield. Radiation and solar rays cause a lot of damage. The poles could flip in the next thousand years. This is because the molten iron revolving around Earth's center is changing direction. The molten iron acts as a gigantic electromagnet.

Earth's magnetic poles have flipped every 250,000 years. The last time was 780,000 years ago. The next flip is long overdue. The flip could destroy communications and power grids; deadly solar rays could greatly increase rates of cancer; and climate change could kill many life forms. Some scientists say a polar flip could blow Earth's atmosphere away. One scientist dismissed any danger from the poles flipping. He believes any increased radiation would be as harmful as lying on a beach for a day. He said a "floppy hat" would be enough to protect us.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Magnetic Poles - Level 6

When doom-and-gloom merchants warn us about threats to our existence, we usually hear about climate change, asteroid strikes or nuclear war. Now scientists have warned of the potential threat from Earth's magnetic poles flipping upside down. The North Pole and South Pole are responsible for creating a special barrier around Earth that protects us from killer radiation from space. All life on Earth depends on this shield. Without it, scientists say solar rays could cause considerable damage. The poles could flip in the next thousand years. This is because a rolling layer of liquid iron under the earth's crust is changing direction. The revolving currents of this molten iron at Earth's center act as a gigantic electromagnet.

Historically, Earth's North and South magnetic poles have flipped every 200,000 to 300,000 years. The last time was 780,000 years ago, so the next flip is well overdue. Some scientists say the flip could destroy satellite communications and power grids; that dangerous solar rays would greatly multiply rates of cancer; and that climate change could kill billions of creatures. Some scientists forewarn that a polar flip could even blow Earth's atmosphere away. However, one scientist dismissed the doom-mongers. He believes that the effects of any increase in radiation would be as harmful as lying on a hot beach for a day. He suggested a "floppy hat" would be enough to protect us from any increased radiation.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson