Scientists Capture Sounds of Ancient Magnetic Pole Flip

Researchers have captured the first-ever sounds of the Earth's magnetic pole flip known as the Laschamp event, which occurred 41,000 years ago when the magnetic field weakened to just five percent of its current strength. This phenomenon allowed cosmic rays to bombard the atmosphere, resulting in eerie sounds that resemble wood breaking and rocks crumbling. Using satellite data from the European Space Agency, scientists mapped the movement of the magnetic field lines during the event and created a stereo soundscape. The magnetic field plays a crucial role in protecting Earth from solar winds, and a similar event today could severely disrupt power grids and increase radiation exposure on the surface. Historical data suggests such magnetic reversals occur every 200,000 to 300,000 years, and it has been approximately 780,000 years since the last major shift, leading researchers to believe the planet may be overdue for another flip.