A Misconception Shrouding the Impact of the Magnetic Field.

12 min readApr 26, 2020

Statement: Earth’s magnetic field is rapidly weakening, and the increasing solar radiation is damaging ozone, resulting in more warming.

The Sun’s influence on Earth’s magnetic field. Source retrieved from Encyclopedia of the Environment.

As Earth’s magnetic field is weakening, there have been many misconceptions around its impact on climate change. Some have claimed that the increasing solar radiation caused by a weaker magnetic field is damaging the ozone layer, resulting in increased rates of global warming. However, this article can prove why this claim is false, by understanding the topics of the magnetic field, ozone depletion, and the impact of solar radiation on Earth.

Before we get into further detail, we need to first understand what the statement is claiming:

the magnetic field is weakening
with a weak magnetic field, there will be an increase in solar radiation
solar radiation is damaging the ozone layer
a damaged ozone layer results more global warming

Throughout this article, these claims will be covered and discussed about, whether they are true or false. In addition, it will discuss what the magnetic field is and how a weak magnetic field impacts Earth. It will also cover what the ozone layer is, what the “ozone hole” is and what actually causes global warming.

Magnetic Field

What is it?

Imagine a giant magnet inside Earth, in a shape of a rectangle, more or less aligned to Earth’s axis and where the poles of the magnet lie close to Earth’s geographical poles. However, this magnet is flipped: the south pole of the magnet is close to Earth’s geographical North Pole, and the north pole of the magnet is close to Earth’s South Pole. Lines, called magnetic field lines, travel from the north pole of the magnet to the south pole. This is how Earth’s magnetic field is often visualized.

This is a variation between the magnetic poles and Earth’s geographical poles. The green circle represents Earth. The pink li — This is a variation between the Earth’s magnetic poles and Earth’s geographical poles. The green circle represents Earth. The pink line represents the magnetic north and south pole, meanwhile the blue line represents the geographical north and south pole. In addition, the grey lines are magnetic field lines. Retrieved from Universitat d’Alacant.

We know that Earth does not actually have a giant magnet to create its magnetic field. Instead, it is actually created by the currents of molten iron from the outer core (Vandette, 2018). The flow of liquid iron generates electric currents, which produces this magnetic field (Physics in Society, n.d.). If the molten iron stops moving, then electric currents will stop forming and Earth’s magnetic field will disappear.

What does Earth’s magnetic field do?

The magnetic field is an important barrier that shields the Earth from harmful solar radiation and solar wind. Solar wind is created by the outward plasma, a collection of charged particles, from the Sun’s outermost atmosphere, also known as the corona (NASA, n.d.). These charged particles hit the Earth every second and have the power to destroy Earth’s atmosphere. However, the strong force of the magnetosphere, the region around the Earth dominated by the Earth’s magnetic field, keeps them out of the atmosphere (SWPC, NOAA, n.d.; NASA, 2011).

Magnetospheres are created when the magnetic field lines from the Sun, hits the planet. Since, magnetic field lines cannot pass through electrically conductive objects, like planets, they drape themselves around the planet creating a magnetosphere. So even without a magnetic field, every planet has a magnetosphere.

The Van Allen belts and different parts of Earth’s magnetic field. Retrieved from Study.com.

What is happening to the magnetic field?

From past data, research has shown that the magnetic field is weakening and the magnetic poles are shifting at an accelerating pace. The magnetic north pole is moving erratically away from Canada’s Arctic Circle and closer towards Siberia: during the mid-1990s, the pole suddenly sped up its movements from just over 15 kilometers a year to 55 kilometers a year.

The movement of the magnetic north pole between the 1990 to 2015. Retrieved from World Data Center for Geomagnetism/Kyoto University.

This is actually not a new phenomenon, since Earth’s magnetic poles have flipped before. The last flip happened 780,000 years ago. Though, 41,000 years ago, the poles temporarily shifted, but did not fully flip. Past reversals have taken over a geologically, short period of time: about 7000 years or so (NSF, 2004).

These 2 images are some snapshots of the Glatzmaier-Roberts model of the geodynamo, which was first published in 1995. This model successfully reproduces the intensity of the Earth’s field. The imagine on the left is the magnetic field before a reversal. The image on the right is the magnetic field during a reversal. Retrieved from Glatzmaier-Roberts model, 1995.

Currently, the data collected from the SWARM satellite shows that the magnetic field is weakening by 5 percent every 10 years, instead of 5 percent every 100 years (Snyder, 2019), meaning that the magnetic field is weakening at 10 times its original speed. This means that there is possibility that the magnetic field could be gone in 500 years. However, most scientists believe that a pole flip takes thousands of years to happen (Snyder, 2019). Though, they do not really know, since they have never seen one actually take place. Right now, scientists can only imagine the full extent of what could happen if Earth’s magnetic field disappeared.

How does a weak magnetic field impact Earth?

Many scientists believe that with a weaker magnetic field, we can face up to “trillions of dollars in damage,” (Specktor, 2018). Many disasters will occur that can leave both the Earth and all living organisms on it, including humans, in serious danger.

For example, without the magnetic field to block out the Sun’s solar winds and radiation, there will be an increase in the amount of solar radiation entering Earth’s atmosphere. This can lead to an increase in health conditions such as cancer and mutate our DNA (Drake, 2018).

Furthermore, without the magnetic field, the charged particles from the Sun would strip away Earth’s atmosphere (Choi, 2015). This is possible because the Sun’s solar winds are powerful enough that it can easily rip apart gases from the atmosphere, until there is little to none left. This could leave Earth’s environment to become similar to Mars.

Scientists speculate that Mars used to be very similar to Earth, with a magnetic field, oceans, and a thick atmosphere. However, after it’s magnetic field disappeared billions of years ago, it caused Mars’ atmosphere to be left unprotected, allowing the Sun’s natural winds to rip it apart. Once its atmospheric pressure dropped low enough, its water began to evaporate until it was also taken away by the solar wind (Futurism, 2015).

This artist’s concept depicts the early Martian environment (right) — believed to contain liquid water and a thicker atmosphere — versus the cold, dry environment seen at Mars today (left). Retrieved from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Since, we know that the magnetic field is weakening and there is an increase amount of solar radiation because of it, some people believe that more solar radiation is the cause of ozone depletion. With less ozone in the ozone layer, more solar radiation, especially UV rays, will penetrate Earth, making it warmer. However, this is not true and in this next section, it will be covering the topic of the ozone layer and what actually causes ozone depletion.

Ozone Layer

What is the ozone layer?

The ozone layer is a thin layer deep in the stratosphere (located in Earth’s atmosphere, between the troposphere and mesosphere), containing large amounts of ozone in it. Ozone is a highly reactive gas made up of 3 oxygen atoms.

Different parts of Earth’s atmosphere. Retrieved from Windy Community.

What does the ozone layer do?

The ozone layer absorbs majority of the UV radiation (a type of solar energy that is harmful to people, animals, and plants in large quantities), preventing harmful UV rays from hitting Earth’s surface (UCSUSA, 2017).

What is the “ozone hole”?

“Ozone holes” are thinner patches in the ozone layer (it is not actually a hole), allowing more UV rays to enter Earth’s atmosphere. The thinning of the ozone layer is not caused by the increase in solar radiation, but actually by the increased concentration of the ozone-depleting chemical called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) (UCSUSA, 2017). These chemicals can be previously found in aerosol spray cans, air conditioning, and refrigerants. However, the production of CFC products have been banned in Canada since 1996 and the global ban on CFCs have been in place since 2010 (Gunia, 2019). That is because people have realized the harm and damage that CFC does to the Earth and its ozone layer. Additionally, these ozone depleting chemicals stay in the atmosphere for about 20–100 years, destroying ozone molecules for a long time.

Shows how CFCs negatively impact the ozone layer. Retrieved from The Ozone Hole.

How do CFC molecules destroy ozone molecules?

When CFC molecules — made up of three chlorine atoms, one fluorine atom, and one carbon atom — are released into Earth’s atmosphere, they will slowly drift up, towards the stratosphere, where UV rays strike the molecules. This causes the chlorine atom to break away. When the chlorine collides with an ozone molecule, it takes away one oxygen atom, decomposing the ozone molecule. This reaction forms chlorine monoxide and a regular oxygen molecule (2 oxygen atoms) (AlbanyEDU, n.d.). One chlorine atom can destroy hundreds of ozone molecules.

This animation shows the destruction of an ozone molecule by a chlorine atom. Retrieved from UCAR.

Is there a connection between the “ozone hole” and global warming?

“Ozone holes” increase in the amount of UV rays hitting Earth. However, UV rays do NOT impact or worsen global warming and temperature change (NASA, n.d.).

Global warming is NOT caused by the sun, but by greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (Hausfather, 2017).

Greenhouse gases rise into the atmosphere and causes the Earth’s surface to warm up (UCSUSA, 2017). An increase in greenhouse gases also prevents heat from moving from the lower atmosphere to the stratosphere, which cools the stratosphere (UCSUSA, 2017). A cool stratosphere causes ozone depletion and encourages the formation of ozone-depleting clouds, called polar stratospheric clouds (UCSUSA, 2017). With less ozone, there will be less heat released, cooling the stratosphere even more, which adds to the depletion of ozone, creating a positive feedback loop (UCSUSA, 2017).

This image shows a positive feedback loop on ozone depletion. Retrieved from NASA.

An example where this feedback loop occurs in real life, is the ozone losses over both the Arctic and Antarctic poles(NASA, 2004). When winter arrives, the temperature of the polar stratosphere drops below -85°C, colder than how normal temperatures in the stratosphere would be. This leads to the creation of polar stratospheric clouds. These clouds are dangerous because they remove gaseous nitric acid — a type of gas, which when combined with another molecule, minimizes the harm caused by chlorine atoms — from the stratosphere (Atmospheric Optics, n.d.). With less of them in the atmosphere, it leads to ozone depletion, which makes the stratosphere even colder, forming more ozone depleting clouds.

This picture shows the cloud formation of polar stratospheric clouds that appeared over Iceland at an altitude of about 22km on February 4, 2003. (Photograph courtesy Mark R. Schoeberl, NASA GSFC)

Global Warming

Is the Sun the cause of global warming?

The Sun is not the cause of current global warming trends. Although the Sun’s radiation may have impacted Earth’s global temperature in the past, it is not the reason for the current warming trends. This is true because, since 1978, satellite instruments have measured the energy output of the Sun directly, and the satellite data shows a slight drop of solar irradiance (the measure of the amount of energy the Sun gives off) (NASA, n.d.). This shows that the Sun is not responsible for the warming trend happening over these past several decades.

This graph compares global surface temperature changes, the red line, and the amount of solar renergy Earth receives, the yellow line, in watts per square meter since 1880. The dotted lines show the yearly levels while the thicker lines show the 11-year average trends. Retrieved from NASA.

What actually causes global warming?

The real reason for the current global warming trend is the increase of the greenhouse gases as stated before. These gases trap heat and prevent heat from leaving the atmosphere and are mainly produced from human activities. Out of all of the greenhouse gases, only 5 contribute the most.

Carbon dioxide: it is the result of processes like, burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and the production of cement. It is responsible for about 53% of the level of global warming and lasts in the atmosphere for 200–30,000 years (Sustainability for all, n.d.).
Methane: it is generated from activities like livestock production, especially cow, agriculture and sewage treatment. It is responsible for about 15% of the level of global warming and lasts in the atmosphere for an average of 12 years (Sustainability for all, n.d.).
Halogenated compounds: this includes CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs. It is the result of the production of chemicals, like air conditioning, electrical equipment, and refrigerants. It is responsible for about 11% of the level of global warming and lasts in the atmosphere for varied amounts of time, ranging from a few months to tens of thousands of years (Sustainability for all, n.d.).
Tropospheric ozone: it is not the same as the ozone in the stratosphere. Ozone in the stratosphere is good, however tropospheric ozone is bad. Tropospheric ozone is created from a reaction between the gases carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) (Sustainability for all, n.d.). It is responsible for about 11% of the level of global warming and stays in the atmosphere for a few months.
Nitrous oxide: it mainly comes from fertilizers and chemical production. It is responsible for about 11% of the level of global warming and lasts in the atmosphere for up to 114 years (Sustainability for all, n.d.).

This image shows the types of greenhouse gases and abundant atmospheric gases (not greenhouse gases). The images on the right are greenhouse gases and the images on the left are not. Retrieved from Climate Change Knowledge .

The Truth Behind the Misconception

What were the answers to the claims?

Out of the 4 claims, only 2 were correct.

First, the magnetic field is weakening. The poles are shifting at an accelerating pace and the magnetic field is getting weaker, faster than before.

Second, with a weak magnetic field, there will be an increase in solar radiation. One primary job that the magnetic field does is block out solar winds and solar radiation. So, if the magnetic field is weakened, then it is unable to block out all of the solar radiation, thus increasing the amount that hits Earth.

Third, solar radiation does NOT damage the ozone layer. The true culprit are CFCs— chlorofluorocarbons —which can be previously found in aerosol spray cans, air conditioning and refrigerants, as well as in polar stratospheric clouds (a.k.a. ozone depleting clouds).

Fourth, a damaged ozone layer does NOT result in more global warming. The increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is the leading cause of global warming.

Thus, in general, the statement —Earth’s magnetic field is rapidly weakening, and the increasing solar radiation is damaging ozone, resulting in more warming — is false.

Misconception and Misinformation

How does misconception and misinformation impact people?

Currently, misinformation is everywhere and rumors spread like wildfire with the internet wildly available to many people. With so much false news, this can influence people to believe in these flawed perspectives. In this article, it discussed about a false statement relating to global warming. Global warming is an urgent issue right now and the public plays a major role in the fight against global warming. Skeptics may use this false claim as an argument against scientists and try to convince people climate change doesn’t have severe impacts on the world or perhaps even, that global warming “doesn’t exist.” This can cause them to support human activities that are devastating to the environment, such as continuing to use coal and fossil fuels, without thinking that they will make a big impact.

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