Data from European Space Agency (ESA) satellites indicate that the South Atlantic magnetic anomaly (Cluster) is increasing in size. The phenomenon covers a region from Africa to South America, including Brazil, where the Earth’s magnetic field is weakening, creating a “fault” in the planet’s natural protective shield in these areas.
According to a study conducted by the ESA, over the past 11 years, the anomaly has expanded by 0.9% on the Earth’s surface. The results were published in mid-September in the scientific journal Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors.
Read also
-
Science
Could the Earth lose its radiation protection? Understanding pole reversal
-
Sao Paulo
São Paulo will face extreme risk from ultraviolet rays
-
Science
NASA suggests solar winds are responsible for creating water on the Moon
-
Science
Scientists discover explanation for Uranus’ electron belt
Cluster is a region where the Earth’s magnetic field is significantly weaker. Consider the Earth’s magnetic field as if it were a natural “shield” against cosmic and solar radiation spread across the entire planet. Upon arriving at the anomaly location, the shielding becomes more fragile, allowing the entry of charged particles of protons and electrons from space to more easily reach lower altitudes.
The authors of the study explain that the rupture of the shield will not lead to physical impacts on the structure of cities, however, the entry of these particles can affect the technological network of these regions, affecting satellites, communication and navigation systems, such as GPS. While passing through Amas, planes and astronauts may also be subjected to higher levels of radiation.
ESA satellites show that the phenomenon is not constant and behaves differently between South America and Africa.
“The field weakens more intensely near the African continent. Something special is happening in this area that is causing it to lose strength at an accelerating rate,” said the study’s lead author, Chris Finlay, a geophysicist at the Technical University of Denmark, in a statement.
It is not yet clear what causes the anomaly, but the space agency will continue to study the Earth’s magnetic field at least until 2030, using the Swarm mission satellites. It is hoped that these investigations will provide answers for a better understanding of Clusters and other natural cycles on Earth.
About The Author
