2024-07-20 06:00:12
Every millennium or so, Earth experiences the devastating impact of an extreme solar particle event. These proton storms originating directly from the Sun can penetrate our atmosphere and cause significant damage to theenvironment and life on Earth. Scientists are now wondering regarding the consequences of these phenomena, particularly in times of magnetic field weak.
The Earth’s magnetic field, our shield once morest solar radiation, undergoes significant variations over time. For the past century, the magnetic north pole traveled 40 kilometers per year and the champ has lost more than 6% of its intensity. Periods of weak magnetic field have been recorded in geological history, and the total absence of this field has dramatic consequences, as shown by the example of Mars. Solar particle events are characterized by the massive emission of protons by the Sun, often associated with solar flares. Unlike electrons, protons, which are heavier and more energetic, can reach lower altitudes in theEarth’s atmospheregenerating X-rays invisible to the naked eye. Events of this type occur regularly, but some in thehistory of the earth were thousands of times more powerful than those observed with our current instruments.
The consequences of an extreme solar particle event on Earth’s ozone and UV radiation levels are alarming. During these events, a series of chemical reactions can dramatically deplete the ozone layer, increasing UV exposure, which increases skin cancer risks and affects the climate. If these events occur when the magnetic field is weak, the damage can last for years, increasing UV levels by 25% and DNA damage by 50%.
The study of periods of weak magnetic field and extreme solar events reveals correlations with mass extinctions and important evolutions of life on Earth. For example, the extinction of Neanderthals and marsupial megafauna coincides with a period of weak magnetic field 42,000 years ago. Similarly, the appearance of the first multicellular animals and the Cambrian explosion might be linked to these geomagnetic variations and high levels of UV radiation.
Scientists continue to seek to understand the influence of solar activity and the Earth’s magnetic field on the evolution of life, exploring new avenues to explain major transitions in biological history.
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