Geologists and scientists alike have noted that the earth's magnetic poles have shifted periodically thoughout the planet's existence. However, I am left to wonder what effects the shift of the earth's magnetic poles would have on the technological advances of todays society. Magnetism plays a vital role in a vast multitude of machines as basic as a compass to something as complex as a computer monitor. However, I hypothesize that the reversal of the magnetic poles would have a catastrophic affect upon what we have become most accostomed to, techonology. Furthermore, I would not expect that this reversal would happen instantly, if the poles were shifted, could the earth be potentially exposed to some of the ionizing particles emmited from the sun? What other effects could be expected to accompany this natural occurence? Just some thoughts...

I don't think it would drastically affect our way of life. Technology based on the earth's magnetism and technology based on magnetism are two totally different things. A compass would definitely be affected by the shift but I think it would have little impact on a computer monitor.

Scientists now have theorized that as the shift happens the magnetic field would only drop by about 10%. So really, the only thing would be that compasses would be confused.

Scientists now have theorized that as the shift happens the magnetic field would only drop by about 10%. So really, the only thing would be that compasses would be confused.

 

Right - the magnetic energy doesn't just go away. What would happen is that you would lose the dipole, but gain higher-order multipoles.

Can you give me some references on this. It's a reversal of the accepted wisdom of a decade ago.