Earth’s poles may be tugged around by oceans
New Scientist – Ocean currents push floating rafts, plastic trash, and warm air around the planet ““ now the Earth’s magnetic field can also be added to the list, according to a controversial new hypothesis.Physicist Gregory Ryskin of Northwestern University has proposed that the oceans’ currents are responsible for the slow wandering of the magnetic poles.The hypothesis has provoked a strong reaction among geophysicists, with one that New Scientist spoke to labelling it “garbage”. Most agree that the magnetic field is generated by movements of the molten iron that makes up Earth’s outer core. However Ryskin says his idea that ocean movements may affect the field is worth investigating.Oceans could drag the field along global currents, and they could also generate their own weak magnetic field, he says. Read Article
