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Physics

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  • $\begingroup$ Would you say that the core is irregularly shaped enough for it to flip at fairly regular intervals causing the magnetic poles to flip with them? I imagine that the crust is regularly shaped enough ti not experience a flip, but your sources suggest the core may be able to. Such flipping would mostly likely cause geological variations as well, I would think. $\endgroup$
    – Digcoal
    Commented Jun 17 at 19:09
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    $\begingroup$ @Digcoal Added update to my answer. Yes, it would happen again, but the time interval would not be completely regular as the entire mass system is continuously evolving, with some mantle/crust viscosity dependency on solar and intergalactic magnetic fields. Many (but unverified) geologic studies seem to indicate a time interval of ~12,000 years. $\endgroup$
    – not2qubit
    Commented Jun 18 at 9:21
  • $\begingroup$ The second word should probably be “weight,” and in your last paragraph “near-distinction” is probably supposed to be “near-extinction.” Other than that, thank you for your answer and update. $\endgroup$
    – Digcoal
    Commented Jun 18 at 12:11
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    $\begingroup$ @Digcoal Thanks, fixed. Not sure why my spell checker doesn't work under SE edit. $\endgroup$
    – not2qubit
    Commented Jun 18 at 12:19
  • $\begingroup$ No worries. Cheers 🍻 $\endgroup$
    – Digcoal
    Commented Jun 19 at 14:59