In an analysis of satellite data from the GRACE and CHAMP instruments, geophysicists in Europe have shown that annual and decadal changes in the Earth's magnetic field (as measured by CHAMP) in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions are related to changes in the Earth's gravitational field (as measured by GRACE) in these areas.
Earth's magnetic field, which protects us from cosmic radiation, is generated movements of ionized fluids in the outer core. These movements may be related to mass displacements in these regions.
For more information about these findings, visit Science Daily. Windows to the Universe includes extensive information about Earth's magnetic field, as well as reversals in its dipole field. For extensive resources for teachers on space weather and magnetism, visit our space weather workshop pages.