<p>Magnetic reversals are very random and unpredictable,but average about one every 260,000 years. We could have the next at any time,but as I say, they are unpredictable. So faras is known,they don't affect the weather,but they are very useful to geologists because they make tiny magnetic crystals in solidifying volcanic rock line up with the Earth's magnetic field. Thus,millions of years later, geologists can tell how the rock was lined up with the field when it was formed and can see for themselves how the alignment has changed in the intervening timespan. That gives them an insight into continental drift and other crustal movements. It is particularly useful in the study of sea floor spreading.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-24T23:09:24.870Z
2019-07-24T23:09:24.870Z
Michael Walsby
<p>Every two hundred thousand years or so the magnetic poles flip. Obviously it is not life ending but how would our weather change? How long does the transition take? Is there a map or model to show where the warmer areas would be effected from the loss of the mesosphere during transition?</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012-poleReversal.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012-poleReversal.html</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-25T03:54:09.400Z
related https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/17110/what-happens-when-the-north-and-south-poles-flip but not a duplicate.earths magnetic field is about 1000 times weaker than a refrigator magnet and those silly things cant even hold a note in place most of the time.
trond hansen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-31T08:57:42.703Z
What effects do you expect the magnetic field to have on the weather/climate?
Erik
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-01T11:14:05.080Z
You're asking about changes in the orientation of the magnetic field, not its disappearance. Huge differences.
Erik
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-01T16:55:29.753Z
@trondhansen thanks for the catch!
Muze
<atmosphere><geomagnetism><mapping>
How would our weather change in the event of a magnetic pole shift?
Muze
# How would our weather change in the event of a magnetic pole shift?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-07-24)

Every two hundred thousand years or so the magnetic poles flip. Obviously it is not life ending but how would our weather change? How long does the transition take? Is there a map or model to show where the warmer areas would be effected from the loss of the mesosphere during transition?

<https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012-poleReversal.html>

**Tags:** atmosphere, geomagnetism, mapping

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: related https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/17110/what-happens-when-the-north-and-south-poles-flip but not a duplicate.earths magnetic field is about 1000 times weaker than a refrigator magnet and those silly things cant even hold a note in place most of the time.  
> **username_2**: What effects do you expect the magnetic field to have on the weather/climate?  
> **username_2**: You're asking about changes in the orientation of the magnetic field, not its disappearance. Huge differences.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 thanks for the catch!  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-07-24. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

Magnetic reversals are very random and unpredictable,but average about one every 260,000 years. We could have the next at any time,but as I say, they are unpredictable. So faras is known,they don't affect the weather,but they are very useful to geologists because they make tiny magnetic crystals in solidifying volcanic rock line up with the Earth's magnetic field. Thus,millions of years later, geologists can tell how the rock was lined up with the field when it was formed and can see for themselves how the alignment has changed in the intervening timespan. That gives them an insight into continental drift and other crustal movements. It is particularly useful in the study of sea floor spreading.


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